How people are responding to the fast

An article such as this is bent towards academic and political analysis, and turns from our core life as people of worship, which draws the faithful out towards the disheartened, the dispossessed and the dehumanized.  Social justice was a core outcome and impact of Jesus' ministry, but the justice was God's, not ours, and was bound to worship, devotion and sanctification in the Holy One of Israel. When we segregate the call to worship from the call to serve, we fall back on ourselves and our own means and strengths. God is then left behind. Social justice must always be framed as a mission of a righteous and holy God, who acts/ed out of sacrifice and wisdom, for the love of God's created people and cosmos.

— The Rev. Drew Henderson, response to Rebecca Todd Peters' Bible Study from the June Fast

I have discovered that fasting is challenging. I don’t like being hungry. It makes me grouchy and low energy. The richest part of the experience has been breaking that fast at our communion meal with other fasters. I’ve found that sharing this experience of fasting — the challenges, the insights, the realness of being hungry, the reflections — has been the most meaningful part of this journey.

— Carol

Listen to an interview with participant Carol about the Global Food Crisis, courtesy of WFPL, Louisville, Kentucky.

I know that the people who participate are moved and feel the weight of the hungry upon them. This was the first time I fasted the entire 40 hours. I spent the last three months working my way up to it.

— Springfield, Missouri

It has been eye-opening to learn (again) what it is like to have limited food. 

— Judy, St Paul, Minnesota

Mostly I think people are using it as a personal spiritual discipline.

—Ginny

The food crisis is so huge, it seems to me that the PC(USA) needs to continue to address it from a multi-faceted perspective — education; immediate relief; Self-Development of People; fair trade; prayer; petitions, activism, etc.  Deep thanks for your excellent work in this arena.

— Donna

We have only just started to talk about ways we can make our response more durable, but there has been great discussion and learning through our use of the materials provided as well as some basic statistical information about the countries we're focusing on using the Mission Yearbook, and several internet sites which give helpful information. It has been an excellent opportunity for us all to consider how we are a part of the global community in many different ways.

— Ann, Penn Laird, Virginia

The actions suggested each month have been great. A lot to think about!  I refer people to the materials, as educational materials, even if they do not want to take on the fast, as such.

—Schaunel

How people are fasting

A group of us meet on Friday of the fast weekends for a meal of rice and beans, and a study of the materials you provide. Each person decides what kind of fast they will do for the weekend. We have shifted our families to locally produced, organic food, and some of us are not eating meat. Some of us have written to our senators and representative about trade policy and food aid. We are very much aware of the excesses we have in a world with hunger. 

— Jewel, Davis Community Church

Most months we have consumed liquids only, but when we had activities that demanded energy, we added rice to our diet.

— Judy and husband, St Paul, Minnesota

Several members of our small congregation (30 in worship) have participated in the monthly fast. Those that don't fast are invited to share in the study. I (the pastor) supply them with materials culled from the excellent materials you prepare. I include them in the bulletin the Sunday before the fast.

— Ginny

Members of our church are participating in the fast Palm Sunday weekend.  We are meeting together for a simple potluck dinner Friday night, followed by a context for the fast and distribution of materials about the fast and fasting, including a page for journaling, and beginning the fast.  Saturday we fast (clear liquid fast) and Saturday evening we gather for a clear broth meal, prayer and reflection on the fast.  Sunday we break the fast with communion and a Palm Sunday brunch.

— Ellie

I regularly read fast materials and pray for the countries.  I haven't been as faithful in actually fasting, although I have skipped one meal and plan on donating that money and any other money for meals fasted to the OGHS offering on Easter Sunday.

— LaVera

I include the fasting info on weekly bulletins, monthly newsletters, and do a "minute for mission" during offering. The "middlers" youth committed to participating one weekend, and I'm slowly working it into the congregation through setting the example! I have also held 15 minute services prior to the morning Sunday service, during which I incorporate the fasting liturgies and portions of videotapes.

— Suzanne

When I'm not actively fasting, I am trying to make changes in the way that I and our family eat — portion control, buying locally grown food, supporting mission efforts in other countries and educating myself on world food crises. Getting youth involved often spurs adults in the congregation to be more aware and committed, so I'm going to try and have a fast within the Lenten season done by the youth and have them report to the congregation on Sunday so that what they learn, they can pass on to the adults.

— Betsy

I usually put out some pillows, reading material, a comfy chair, meditative music on CD and candles in our sanctuary at the communion table turn some of the lights on low, and the vigil begins. I print and have available five copies of the materials and the announcement goes in our monthly newsletter, our weekly bulletin and is given voice at church on Sunday.  I know that the people who actually participate are moved and feel the weight of the hungry upon them. This was the first time I fasted the entire 40 hours.  I spent the last three months working my way up to it.

— Springfield, Missouri

We continue to fast — four of us for the Friday evening to Sunday morning schedule. Others for less or alternate time and still others in alternate ways. So far, we have used the materials for individual education and for Morning Prayer.  During the February 28 to March 2 fast, we had an intergenerational event which we began with prayer and then shared our own experiences with hunger in triads with perhaps 10 people, including three children.

— Dan, Stony Point Center

I have an email list of six persons who have asked to be notified of each month's fast.

-Houston

We will be mentioning the Food Crisis in our OGHS promo.  I think this is a great program from our church and hope to get more folks interested.  It's very educational. I appreciate reading the information sent to me online — very helpful and efficient — I can read it during the time I would normally eat during the fast.

— M, Moscow, Idaho 

We have a small and committed group of people who have fasted in the way that best meets their circumstances — from an absolute/liquids/juices only, to a reduced or meatless fast. We gather at 8:15 on the third Sunday for a brief worship and communion service after which we share a meal prior to Sunday School at 9:00 a.m.

— Ann, Penn Laird, Virginia

I have been doing the fasts monthly, and I have been doing them as "juice fasts," i.e. drinking as much juice as a I want, in lieu of meals, and I have also been continuing to outreach to churches about the fasts (e.g. tell groups about it, whenever I am out and about, and it can logically fit into what I am saying otherwise).

— Schaunel

How are you responding to the fast? Submit your responses today.