|PIC1|Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York is backing a new initiative this Lent, which is dedicated to distributing over 50,000 booklets across the country, to parishes and church schools.

The booklets encourage people to reject consumerism and materialism and instead embrace generosity and kindness, for example by leaving money in shopping trolleys and giving people hugs.

The booklet is entitled 'Love Life Live Lent' and comes with the slogan: “Warning – these actions could seriously affect you and the world you live in.”

The booklet has fifty suggestions for actions people can take during Lent, including ideas for environmental conservation and improving personal relationships.

The initiative was launched by the Diocese of Birmingham, which, in response to its popularity, has considered printing a rerun of the booklets.

|TOP|As the Bishop of Birmingham Dr Sentamu claimed that generosity was the key to making neighbourhoods flourish. He said: “The programme will not be easy but it will be fun and I am sure it will start to change our lives. On our own the task is daunting, but together we can move mountains.”

The ideas in the booklet include buying things from a charity shop and reverse haggling, giving up a place to someone who is in rush in traffic or a queue and doing chores for others.

Worshippers have been encouraged to engage in such activities as saying something nice about people behind their back, sharing their faith with others and inviting friends to church.

With regards to the environment, the booklet advises people to wear jumpers in their homes rather than using heaters. There are also ideas such as finding out about litter walks and clean ups.

|AD|The Right Reverend Michael Whinney, the interim Bishop of Birmingham said that: “We want to offer this new way of celebrating Lent to people who are already involved in the church as well as to those who would not call themselves Christian.”

He continued: “It is a way of reminding people that Lent is not just about pancakes but is a time when Christians step back from consumerism and materialism to focus on their inner life.”

The Bishop in Blackburn diocese has distributed 15,000 cards across Lancashire, encouraging people to pray for the Church of England’s work in their local communities.

The Right Reverend Nicholas Reade also sent out a letter to each Anglican Church that is to be read before the arrival of Lent. In it he urges worshippers to form groups of three to gather each week to study the Bible and pray for the development of mission opportunities.

The Bishop said that: “It is my hope and prayer that these cards will motivate many people to become involved in Prayer Trios, enabling us to pray more faithfully, more regularly and with greater encouragement in and for our parish communities.”