Comments on: Bishop’s prayer calls for courage and “will to end hunger” as thousands commit to join National Day of Fasting on April 4th

By: #FastApril4th | Bishop's Blog

#FastApril4th | Bishop's Blog — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 08:35:40 +0000

[…] We’re only a couple of days away from the national day of fasting on 4th April, when thousands across the nation will choose to go without food on behalf of individuals and families forced to turn to food banks or go hungry. As well as a time of personal reflection, the fast is an outward symbol of our call for action – please don’t stay silent! You could share a picture of you and your empty plate at the dinner table on Facebook, Twitter, your blog or via email. Let’s get #FastApril4th trending! And please pray – see this Collect authored by the Bishop of Gloucester, calling for will and courage to end hunger. […]

By: Val Smith, Ilkley

Val Smith, Ilkley — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 19:28:41 +0000

Churches Together in Ilkley set up a food collection in Sept. 2013.Tesco’s and Booth’s our largest supermarkets allow us to have collecting boxes in their stores. Salvation Army in Keighley help with the packaging and distribution of the food. We supply families in both Ilkley and Keighley, the wealthiest and poorest parts of Kris Hopkins, constituency. The families we supply are working families struggling because of Benefit cuts in an area where rented accommodation is mostly private sector and expensive; and public transport costs eat into household budgets.Sadly there are still many who sit in judgement onthe poor and needy, clinging to “myths about poverty” to justify their inaction. Worse many of our M.P.s have the same mind-set

By: TommyGee

TommyGee — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 20:21:21 +0000

Please see my letter pubs in today’s church if England newspaper. We need to do so much more than food banks and loan sharks.
Tommy

By: Sharon

Sharon — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 19:03:13 +0000

From the beginning of this campaign it has bothered me that there has been no mention of prayer alongside the call to fasting. Prayer is the vital ingredient that separates a spiritual fast from a political protest or hunger strike. Prayer is the way we invite God into the struggle. In prayer we give God chance to show us our own hearts. As we pray we come to the place of humbly acknowledging that we are individually and corporately part of the problem.
I am delighted that our Bishop has written this collect and offered it to be used next Friday. May the God of mercy hear our prayer.

By: Rev ChristineFrench

Rev ChristineFrench — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 15:13:20 +0000

I sincerely hope that when Lent ends, this fantastic campaign is able to continue…..because those at the margins will still continue to face hardship just trying to survive. As many are, I’m very active with my local food bank (in a rural context) but as well as helping at a micro level, this campaign has helped me to feel part of the bigger picture. Hence the need for it to continue – in some shape or form. – Blessings – Christine