Written by Angie McKenzie, Chair of LCR's Creation Care Team
Earlier this year, the LCR Creation Care Team introduced the idea of “fasting from plastics” as a Lenten spiritual practice. While our Lenten challenge won't eliminate plastics entirely, we can learn ways of making small, intentional swaps that help care for God’s creation.
As we prepare for Lent, we have time to reflect and pray about our current plastic usage.
Plastics have quietly become part of nearly every aspect of daily life, especially in the way our food is packaged. Plastic use has increased almost 20,000% since 1950, and nearly half of the plastics produced are only used once. This leads to increased pollution and further intensifies climate change and habitat loss. (Source)
As we embark on Lent, we want to encourage awareness rather than guilt, and empower ourselves with manageable changes in our kitchens, cleaning products, and grocery shopping.
Lent is a journey, and our emphasis is on participation, not perfection. We trust that even small steps can build habits with increasing impact.
How the six weeks will work:
- Each week will offer two to four different challenges related to that week’s theme.
- You may choose one challenge or as many as you’d like, and each member of your family can select a different option.
- The Wednesday e-news will include a simple form where you can indicate which challenge(s) you completed.
After Easter, a name will be drawn from all entries, and the winner will receive a small, plastic-free prize designed to help continue reducing plastics beyond Lent.
Fasting from plastics is offered as an invitation to faithful stewardship, a way to honor creation through thoughtful, practical choices, one step at a time.
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