Our Bishops’ Lent Challenge this year raises awareness of environmental issues. Few of us can be unaware of the critical and urgent environmental challenges facing the world. Christians are rediscovering that caring for the creation God brought into being, and which God loves, is a vital part of our mission, as well as being an issue of justice. Our programme for Lent 2020 offers a range of opportunities to engage with this challenge: on your own, with others, listening to sermons and addresses, attending presentations, reading a Lent book, sharing in a Home Group, or giving up something for Lent and supporting a charity. The Church of England’s national Lent campaign is available in various formats: social media, an app, daily emails and booklets. Search for #LiveLent: Care for God’s Creation Lent Sunday Sermons and Meet the Preacher Following the 10.00 am Sunday Service you are welcome to discuss the sermon with the preacher over coffee or tea. Ending by 12 noon these conversations will take place in the Edmund Room. Sunday 1 March - Richard Stainer, Diocesan World Development Advisor Sunday 8 March - The Ven Sally Gaze, Archdeacon for Rural Mission Sunday 15 March - Bishop Graeme Knowles, Honorary Assistant Bishop Sunday 29 March - The Ven David Jenkins, Archdeacon of Sudbury Tuesday Evenings in Lent Climate Change and East Anglia A series of presentations in the Edmund Room on climate change related issues for this region, with questions and answers following each presentation. Free admission with presentation at 7.30 pm and evening ending by 9.00 pm. No booking required. Tuesday 10 March - Climate Change and Suffolk’s Farmers Glenn Buckingham, Chair of Suffolk National Farmers Union Tuesday 17 March - Institutional Divestment from Fossil Fuels Jeremy Caddick, Dean of Emmanuel College, Cambridge Tuesday 24 March - Eco Diocese, Eco Cathedral Sandie Barton, Diocesan Environmental Officer, and Joe Hawes, Dean of St Edmundsbury Tuesday 31 March - Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change Helen Dangerfield, National Trust Regional Head of Conservation Friday Lunchtime Lent Addresses Faith and Climate Change Each week the speaker will reflect on climate change from a faith perspective. 1.00 to 1.30 pm in the Lady Chapel, with two hymns and short prayers. Free admission. Friday 6 March - Christian Mystics and the Environment Canon Matthew Vernon, Canon Pastor, St Edmundsbury Cathedral Friday 13 March – The Land, the Soul, and the Storyteller Robin Herne, Route Leader for Religious Studies & Ethics, West Suffolk College Friday 20 March - A Young Christian’s View of Climate Change Caitlin Brinkley, Lay Reader in training, St Edmundsbury Cathedral Friday 27 March - Climate change and the Benedictine tradition Canon Michael Robinson, Canon Theologian, St Edmundsbury Cathedral Friday 3 April - Biblical Perspectives on Climate Change Canon John Parr, Theologian and Writer Holy Week Preacher The Bishop of Dunwich, The Right Revd Mike Harrison, will give the addresses at these Services. Compline with Address Monday 6 April, 7.00 pm Tuesday 7 April, 7.00 pm Wednesday 8 April, 7.00 pm Maundy Thursday Eucharist Thursday 9 April, 7.00 pm with Sermon Good Friday Devotions Friday 10 April, 12 noon Lent Book The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent book “Saying Yes to Life” is a delightful and thought-provoking exploration of the biblical story of creation in which God said “Yes” to life. It can be read on its own or as part of a group, and is available in the Cathedral Shop. Home Groups There will be at least two groups meeting through Lent discussing the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent book These will be on Monday evenings at 7.00 pm and Wednesday afternoons at 3.00 pm. If you’d like to join one of the groups, please email [email protected] For more information speak to Matthew Vernon or Sarah Geileskey. Charity in Lent Our Bishops suggest these environmental causes as options if you wish to reflect love for God’s creation in your Lenten giving. Please do let the charity know you are giving as a result of the Diocesan Lent Challenge. The Bishops’ Environment Fund This new fund for environmental initiatives will provide small grants of up to £250 within the Diocese to be administered by the Diocesan Environment Group. Your gifts to this fund will enable small grants to parishes for projects focusing on our mission to care for God’s creation. Details on how to give at www.cofesuffolk.org/bishops-lent-appeal-2020 A Rocha UK is the charity behind the Eco Church Scheme. The scheme is free to join, but not free to run. Details on how to give to A Rocha can be found at www.arocha.org.uk/donate Christian Aid work in developing countries to mitigate the effects of climate change. Diocesan Environment Officer Sandie Barton and World Development Adviser Richard Stainer visited Ethiopia and saw at first hand this amazing work. Details on how to give can be found at www.christianaid.org.uk/give-money .