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February 23, 2009

Ecumenical Water Network suggests ideas for prayer and action during Lent

by Juan Michel
WCC News and Information

GENEVA ― As the season of Lent draws near, the Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) invites Christians to mark the occasion with reflection and action on water justice.

During the Seven Weeks for Water initiative, theologians and church activists from Africa, Europe and North and South America will share short biblical meditations for each week along with some ideas and resources for study and action.

The first set of materials will be available on the EWN Web site beginning Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25. EWN also provides an RSS stream for the seven weeks, which allows groups and congregations to give visibility to their participation on their own Web sites.

“Traditionally, Lent is a time for concentrating on what is essential in life and opening our hearts to our neighbors, for example by fasting and giving to the needy,” said Maike Gorsboth, the EWN coordinator. “The Seven Weeks for Water initiative encourages Christian groups and individuals to deepen this experience, reflecting on the concrete issue of water justice.”

The Seven Weeks for Water initiative was first celebrated during Lent 2008. This year, the resources will for the first time be available in four languages — English, Spanish, German and French.

United Nations-sponsored World Water Day

Another opportunity to highlight the importance of water comes on World Water Day, March 22. EWN has already put together a collection of resources and links that can help congregations address the issue, inspired by prayer, biblical texts on justice and on water, and the experiences of church agencies with the challenges posed by unequal access to fresh water and sanitation.