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FAST FROM JUNK FOOD “Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast” Proverbs  12:10 Junk food is bad for your body and for the planet Impact on your body Especially in this time of COVID19 it is important to stay as healthy as possible.  Studies show that obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure are all risk factors for suffering a more severe case of COVID19. The global food industry promotes cheap, sugar sweetened beverages, and ultra processed foods that are high in salt, sugar and saturated fat. They only leave you filling full for a short while and then you are hungry again. Taking a fast from junk food is one of the fastest ways to lose weight and to feel more healthy again. Impact on the planet Most of the meat, eggs and dairy products  used in fast food is produced in factory farms, where animals are forced to endure cruel and inhumane conditions, crowded together. They are fed hormones which make them grow too fast, for instance chickens can grow so fat that they cannot stand up.  When they get sick they are pumped full of antibiotics which end up in our systems. Fast food uses a huge amount of packaging – wrappers, straws, Styrofoam containers. It is estimated that 40 percent of all global litter comes from fast foods. And Styrofoam takes 900 years to breakdown to landfill Fast food is contributing to climate change – from the methane produced by cows, to deforestation to make space for more cattle, from transportation to production of packaging – fast food has a massive carbon footprint So , this Lent take a fast from fast food , and see how you feel at the end of it. Your body will thank you – and so will the planet! 10 Ways Fast Food is Destroying the World

FEB 23 PLAN A HIKE “Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth Gen 13:17” Rather than taking your family to the shopping mall for an outing, why not plan a hike.  A hike is different from ‘going for a walk’ – it should really get your heart rate going and make you feel you got somewhere! Hiking is about seeing the world at a human-powered speed — not the speed of a car. When we move at 5km  per hour, our eyes, body, and brain operate at a pace where we can really notice things. You may be lucky and be able to access nature either by car or public transport, but for others that is more difficult. The word “hiking,” usually conjures images of mountain ranges, sandyt paths, or forest trails. But what if you live in a concrete jungle and communing with nature isn’t an option? Why not go  on an urban hike! Urban hiking combines the best of the outdoors with some of your city’s greatest sights. Like a traditional hike, you get the health benefits of walking— boosting the immune function, counteracting weight gain, you’ll get to discover new areas and neighborhoods that you may never have explored otherwise. You might  not have hills or mountain trails in your city, you can still boost the cardio effect by taking stairs as often as possible. These concrete “hills” will get your heart rate up just like the  climbs you get in a wilderness setting. Hiking should take you to places  that are different from what you see every day. Urban hiking stimulates you to see and do something new. Notice the architecture and sometimes there is amazing graffiti! Give thanks for the presence of parks and have a picnic there or treat yourself to something to eat or drink Pack some snacks and water in a school backpack, put on a sunhat, pop on your mask – remember social distancing and you are ready to roll!

#FAST4EARTH GET FIT “But I discipline my body and keep it under control” 1 Cor 9:27 During Lockdown you have probably eaten way more junk food than before and perhaps got less exercise This can make us feel lethargic and stressed Physical activity can also help you by reducing your risk of getting severe COVID, by  boosting your immune system. “Exercise has a major effect on the immune system – it’s a fact we have known for decades,” Multiple studies have now linked moderate exercise with decreased rates of influenza, pneumonia, and other infections, as well as chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Staying active supports your immune system in a variety of ways, including reducing inflammation, increasing the presence of innate immune cells, and positively effecting your gut microbiome, all of which support your body’s defence mechanisms. Exercise can also help to reduce stress levels. You may be missing your gym or regular sports activity – so try something new and fun Free online exercise classes or yoga Don’t put pressure on yourself with unrealistic goals Find something that is fun – you will stick at it better!Focus on health rather than weight loss. (change of diet is more important if you want to lose weight – though obviously exercise helps too) Benefits Have more energy, sleep better, feel happier (Exercise releases endorphins, improves your skin, gives you some alone time,

#FAST4EARTH TAKE A PLEDGE Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days . Today we encourage you to take a pledge to care for body, mind, spirit, community and planet. What can you do to make a difference?If we makes some of these changes for 40 days, they will become part of our lifestyle going forward.

FAST4EARTH – HOW HAVE YOU COPED SPIRITUALLY WITH 2020? Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Proverbs 5;15  “Spirituality is that aspect of humanity that refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose and experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, and to the significant or sacred”. (Christina Puchalski) COVID19 is a battle for our souls, a “spiritual battle for the 21st century” Never in our lives did we think we would see our churches closed, be unable to receive the sacraments, be unable to attend the funerals of our loved ones.  We have suffered the painful loss of not being able to gather and fellowship, we have missed our great Festivals of Christmas and Easter in some countries twice. COVID-19 limits religious freedom but kindles faith Human beings tend to turn to prayer in a time of crisis. Unfortunately, religious gatherings were closed.  Some people felt hopeless : “Oh God, where do we go now”. It has been amazing how much creativity has been unleashed, online services, bible studies, webinars. The reality is that many people are limited by access to data, but others have been able to attend services all over the world and find spiritual inspiration. People were able to attend Bible studies without needing baby sitters. Those who didn’t have transport or find it to dangerous to go out at night could attend evening meetings.  People joined virtual choirs in different parts of the world A call to pray from home gives more  responsibility to non-ordained members. Praying from home makes us realise that we can have access to God through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:18. It helps us to understand that the family altar,  family members praying together in their homes is also the real Church (Body of Christ) in a spiritual sense. The call to pray from home equally assures God’s presence in line with what Jesus said in the gospel of Matthew 18:20: ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’.  Church buildings shut, but the church was still open. Many people have developed new spiritual rhythms, finding blog posts that resonate with their soul,  or new personal practices of prayer, spiritual music or meditation. They are learning to drink from their own cisterns… For many people, reconnecting with nature this year has drawn them closer to God, working in a small home garden or taking walks or hikes in nature. “As G. K. Chesterton observed, “A religion is not the church [one] goes to, but the cosmos [one] lives in.” ] Once we know that the entire physical world around us, all of creation, is both the hiding place and the revelation place for God, this world becomes home, safe, enchanted, offering grace to any who look deeply. I call that kind of deep and calm seeing “contemplation.” Richard Rohr  

My mind and heart I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psalm 121: 1-2 The COVID pandemic has been devastating for all of us. Everyone has suffered so much loss, of friends, family colleague, jobs, freedom, ability to socialise. Reflect on how the pandemic has affected you emotionally. The new realities of working from home, temporary unemployment, home-schooling of children, and lack of physical contact with other family members, friends and colleagues is hard to  get used to. Managing the fear of contracting the virus and worry about people close to us who are particularly vulnerable, are challenging for all of us. Here are a few tips Keep to a routine as far as possible. Lent is a wonderful time to commit to new spiritual practices, meditation, listening to sacred music. Keep up with personal hygiene (yup we have all been to zoom meetings in pyjama bottoms and a smart top!) Eat healthy meals. Sugar highs only lead to sugar lows later on…. Exercise regularly Allocate work time and relaxation time – if they all blur together you end up never relaxing properly Lent is a great time to cut out alcohol and replace with a more healthy alternative! Help others – voluntary work will make you feel better and bring blessing to others too Social media can get you into a negative spiral… find more positive people to follow and you will start getting positive rather than negative messages coming through. Block the negative ones and yes it is ok to unfriend people! 121 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Get out into nature, even if you cannot go far, as you walk your street, look up at the clouds and the birds and experience the renewal of your spirit in nature. “Those who contemplate the beatify of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature. T he assurance that dawn comes after night and spring after winter ‘ Rachel Carson.