In the News
- News releases
- In pictures
-
News archive »
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
-
2007 »
- Christmas Sermon by Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, in York Minster
- Principal to be appointed for new Archbishop Sentamu Academy, Hull
- Archbishop calls for country to pray, march and protest against Mugabe
- Statement on the release of Gillian Gibbons
- Archbishop Criticises "Unhealthy Seam of Rampant Individualism" of Human Fertilisation Proposals
- Archbishop dedicates new Emmaus window
- Archbishop visits St. Leonard's Hospice
- Archbishop of York reminds us that slavery still persists
- Archbishop of York awarded 'Yorkshire Man of the Year'
- The Archbishop of York opens new centre to tackle gun crime and gang culture
- Archbishop of York presents Slave Vase to Speaker of the House of Lords and House of Commons
- Archbishop to Address leading African Clerics
- Archbishop responds to Prime Minister on Zimbabwe
- Archbishop breaks first ground for new CE secondary school in York
- Archbishop of York thanks Lord Chancellor for setting up the Stephen Lawrence Judicial Inquiry
- Why do young people with little sense of the value of life become embroiled in gun crime
- The current malaise in our society
- Archbishop urges MPs to "Do nothing to change their lives" this summer (except to read a 100 minute bible)
- Arun Arora responds to The Revd. Canon David Anderson
- Archbishop Welcomes Prime Minister's "Global Lead" on Millennium Development Goals
- Archbishop issues call for donations to flood disaster relief fund
- Archbishop of York visits Family Fund
- Archbishop appeals for funds for flood hit farmers
- Prayer and action for the flooded: Archbishop sees flood aftermath in Hull
- Free at last, Free at last
- Archbishop responds to Prime Minister's statement
- Minster Man becomes York City's patron
- Full Sutton prison welcomes the Archbishop of York
- Honorary Canons of Worcester Cathedral Appointed
- Archbishop to ordain 14 deacons on 1st July
- Archbishop appeals for life-changing Mercy Ships service
- Archbishop's prayers for Alan Johnston
- Purple Power joins Race for Life campaign
- Press call notice
- Flying visit to RAF Linton-on-Ouse for Archbishop of York
- A very special day for Stamford Bridge - Archbishop confirms 15
- Al-Jazeera appeal for Alan Johnston
- Archbishop's statement on Tony Blair's resignation
- Archbishop's call for voters to turn against apathy and hate
- Archbishop to Hold Vigil for Missing BBC Journalist
- Archbishop baptises 21 as united churches share baptismal water
- Archbishops' challenge to consider the lessons of the slave trade's legacies
- Archbishop installed as chancellor of York St John University
- Archbishop completes York Diocese journey
- Archbishop to be installed as first Chancellor of York St John University
- Archbishop joins centenary celebration for one hundred years of thriving Mothers' Union branch in Haxby and Wigginton
- Archbishop to lead Oxford University Mission
- Sexual orientation regulations: letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to the Prime Minister
- Archbishops back Lent texting - str8 2 ur fone »
- Archbishop welcomes BA policy review
- Archbishop calls for support for local produce during Thirsk and Northallerton visit
- 2006
- 2005
- Audio/Video
- RSS news feed
- Contact the media office
Archbishops back Lent texting - str8 2 ur fone
Sunday 21 January 2007
The season of Lent - a period of penitence in preparation for Easter - has been given an extra twist this year with a multi-media campaign backed by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, Dr Rowan Williams and Dr John Sentamu.
Love Life Live Lent gives inspiration for simple things that people can do to spread a little generosity and happiness in their community, and particularly aims to bring Lent alive for people who might not go to church. In a bold move, the campaign is being delivered through two colourful booklets, an interactive website, and a text message service.
From today, mobile phone owners can text the word 'Lent' to 64343 to begin receiving daily suggestions for actions from Monday 19th February through to Easter Monday, at a price of 10 pence a day.
Actions include:
- Give up your place to someone in a traffic jam or a queue
- Have a TV-free day and do something you have meant to do for ages
- Take part in an environmental clean up
- Watch the news and pray about what you see
- Leave a £1 coin in the shopping trolley or where someone will find it.
The actions may seem small, but can add up to something bigger when lots of people get involved, say the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in their joint introduction: "It's all too easy to feel we are powerless to make a difference. But the truth is, with God's help we can change the world a little bit each day. Each of us can be the change we want to see in the world... Together we can build better and more generous communities. Together we can lighten the load on our planet. We show God's love when we do these things," they say.
Everyone can join in Love Life Live Lent by visiting www.livelent.net, which will feature each day's actions, games, resources, and an opportunity to share experiences with other people who have tried out the suggestions through a forum area. A special area of the website, supported by a separate booklet with activities focused on school life, have been designed for under 15s to join in.
Love Life Live Lent started life in the Diocese of Birmingham* in 2006, inspired by a local pilgrimage. The booklet was such a hit that the original print run for the booklets had to be increased repeatedly, and 70,000 copies of the booklets were distributed through churches, schools and community centres.
The Rt Revd David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham, believes the campaign shows a different side to Lent: "Doing something positive or generous can be as transforming as giving something up. It helps us to reflect on how we normally behave, and how we can make changes to our lifestyles that reflect God's love more fully."
Church leaders hope that 'Living Lent' this year could be the beginning of a journey of faith, and the campaign's dedicated website offers a range of resources and links to help explore Christianity and the Bible.
Love Life Live Lent is available as a full-colour booklet for just £1 (ISBN 0978 07151 41113, childrens' version 0978 07151 41144) or buy 10 for £8 (0978 07151 41120, childrens' version 0978 07151 41151), or a value pack of 50 for £35 (0978 07151 41137, childrens' version 0978 07151 41168) from Christian bookshops including Church House Bookshop, 31 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BN, tel. 020 7799 4064, email bookshop@chbookshop.co.uk, or on the web at: www.chbookshop.co.uk (mail order available).
*Love Life Live Lent began in the Diocese of Birmingham, which last year published a set of booklets inspired by a pilgrimage led in 2005 by the then Bishop of Aston, the Rt Revd John Austin, and the then Bishop for Birmingham, the Rt Revd Dr John Sentamu. During that pilgrimage around the diocese, Bishop Sentamu urged people to observe Lent together in a way that was less individual and more of a community discipline – and the idea for Love Live Live Lent was born. Around 70,000 people across the diocese joined in with the suggested actions.
Users sending the word LENT to 64343 will be billed £1 via their mobile 'phone network and will then receive the daily message for the next 10 days. Their subscription will automatically be renewed on the tenth day after their original text message. Users can unsubscribe from the service at any time by texting the word STOP to 64343. This facility will be mentioned in every text message sent.