OUR GOOD FRIENDS at Union Chapel, in London, have developed a topical and challenging ‘Faith Under Fire’ course for Lent 2023, which runs from Wednesday 22nd February through to Friday 7 April.
They write: “Across the world, people of faith are challenged, and challenge others, especially under the conditions of authoritarian regimes.
Perhaps all of us, religious and non-religious alike, need to rediscover the Gospel values of justice and peace.
“Prevailing economic and political orders, including those of so-called ‘Christian’ countries, run counter to Gospel values. This creates its own challenges in witnessing and promoting faith as a movement for change.
“The enormity of the challenges we face often paralyse us. However we are witnessing the emergence of social movements which attract committed people, energised by dark times, stimulating a necessary response.
“We are called to be faithful to the liberating power of God in fluid times.”
The Union Chapel programme for Lent 2023 seeks to:
* Build solidarity with the church in persecution.
* Understand challenges for people of all beliefs.
* Reflect on the challenges of being a Christian in our contemporary world.
* Understand how race, disability, gender and sexuality are exclusionary factors to faith.
* Employ creative arts in liturgy and presentations.
* Develop a programme for future engagement
Full details of the complete programme can be found here.
Lent is an observance in the Christian liturgical calendar commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, before beginning his public ministry. It is a time of reflection on personal and social change and action.