In prison, on the road, carbon fasting, appeals, lectures and books - these are just some of the ways the Church of England is marking Lent 2010 across the country, with a new details and resources page.

Prisoners at The Mount Prison in Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead have signed up to the St Albans Diocesan Challenge and will receive Bible verses they can carry round or leave in their cell. Participants receive a daily email or text during Lent containing some words of Jesus with the challenge: ‘Read it, learn it, pray it, do it’. The prisoners are receiving their words on laminated card from the chaplain, the Revd Phil Abrey, to discuss at a group session each week.

The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, said that the way Lent is observed is changing with people taking up rather than giving up.

The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones has pledged to continue his commitment to Climate Justice by using an electric car during Lent for his public engagements across the city of Liverpool. The car, a Mercedes Benz Electric SMART car, seating two people has been loaned by the Office for Low Vehicle Emissions.

Eating by candlelight and having a technology-free day are two of the actions in this year’s Carbon Fast run by Tearfund and being supported by churches and leaders around the country including the Bishops of London, Oxford and Liverpool. The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard, said the Carbon Fast offered practical ways of supporting the poorest people who suffer most from unrestrained carbon consumption.

'When life gets difficult, draw on the assurance of God’s love and strength' is the message from A Way Through the Wilderness, the Lent study course from theologian Dr Paula Gooder – ideal for church groups and published by Church House Publishing.

In the last week before Easter the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is giving his annual Holy Week lectures with a series in Canterbury Cathedral entitled ‘the beginning of the gospel’ - reading Mark’s life of Jesus while the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu will continue the tradition of open air baptisms in York city centre on Easter Saturday.

Notes
Lent 2010 resource and information page www.cofe.anglican.org/lent2010
Contact details
Rachel Harden 07738 883714 rachel.harden@c-of-e.org.uk
Arun Kataria (St Albans) 01727 818110 or 07809 149430
Stuart Haynes (Liverpool) 0151 705 2150 or 07534218122