<< Peninsula New 12 February 2007 - Churches hold Lent Event >>

Churches hold Lent Event

The Uniting Churches at Ettalong and Umina will take part in a Lent Event from February 21 to April 7, along with other congregations and individuals around Australia.

"The idea is simple," said Uniting Church secretary Ms Annette Strong.

"You reflect on your lifestyle and daily spending and decide on an item you will forgo, such as coffee, soft drinks, fast foods, newspapers, magazines, confectionery for the 40 days before Easter.

"You put aside the money saved and donate it to Lent Event to give others the chance of a better life."

Ms Strong said this year the Uniting church would support projects in Papua New Guinea, South India, West Timor, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The project in Papua New Guinea is to provide fresh, clean drinking water for the remote rural village of Kalo Kalo.

In South India, the money would go towards preschools for the marginalized tribal people in the Nilgiri Hills.

This would also include education, healthcare, family support and economic initiatives.

In West Timor, the money would go towards a micro-credit scheme (small loans) for poor people to establish viable businesses to support their families in the East Nusa Tenggara Province.

In Zimbabwe, the money would go towards the increased availability of safe drinking water for the communities of the Muzarabani area, and the training and provision of materials to build water tanks.

In Zambi, the money would be put towards a drop-in centre and feeding program for orphaned children in Mwandi, orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Pancake Day will be supported at morning teas after church services on February 25 (Umina) and March 4 (Ettalong) and the proceeds given to Unitingcare projects on the Central Coast.

Other events to be held by the church will include World Day of Prayer, Market Day and Kids Activities.

World Day of Prayer will be held at Ettalong Baptist Church at 2pm followed by afternoon tea.

Market Day will be held at Umina Uniting Church from 8am to 1pm on Saturday, March 10.

All the youth and kids activities have also recommenced this year.

For details phone the Youth & Family workers on 4241 0793.

Anyone else who would like to participate can phone the church office on 4341 8536 or Ms Strong on 4341 0803 to receive the paperwork.

Press release, 7 Feb 2007 Annette Strong, Uniting Church