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Creating a Lenten “spirit fund” by donating funds usually spent on
alcohol is one approach to creating a Lenten challenge. A UMNS photo
illustration by Kathleen Barry.
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A UMNS Report
By Kathy L. Gilbert*
3:00 P.M. ET February 21, 2012
A glass of wine with dinner, a beer while watching the big game, a
sip of bourbon before going to bed — all pretty harmless activities if
you watch television, go to movies, browse the Internet or talk to most
folks.
You might be shocked to know that the world’s worst killer — more
than AIDS, malaria or tuberculosis — is alcohol, according to LiveScience.com.
Here is another sobering fact: Alcohol is the top health risk factor
for middle-income people. Riskier than obesity, inactivity and even
tobacco.
So during Lent this year, from Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22 to April 8,
the United Methodist Board of Church and Society is asking all United
Methodists to give up alcohol, donate the funds they would have used to
buy alcohol and start an international conversation about the harm
done by this common vice.
“The world has changed drastically around us as it relates to alcohol use,” writes Jim Winkler, top executive for the denomination’s social action agency.
“A lack of awareness to the implications and consequences of
normalizing alcohol use is an ongoing concern and threat to public
health that begs the question: ‘If a society integrates alcohol use
into its regular activities without awareness to its impact on the
health and well-being of individuals and communities, what are the
consequences?’”
The Rev. Cynthia Abrams, director of the agency’s work on alcohol, other addictions and health care, knows this is not an easy task.
“Everyone must grapple daily with the influence of alcohol on our
lives, whether we drink or not. Frank conversation is unlikely to
happen, however, without bold action such as this initiative that calls
us to take a dramatic step, to make a personal or corporate statement
about alcohol and its impact,” she said.
A few years ago, the Rev. James Howell, pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, N.C., conceived the idea for a “Spirit Fund,” the amount of money that would have gone toward buying alcohol.
Myers Park members accepted the challenge, exceeding expectations also by raising $25,901 for a local recovery project.
The United Methodist Church has a strong commitment to alcohol avoidance in its law book, The Book of Discipline.
“We affirm our long-standing support of
abstinence from alcohol as a faithful witness to God's liberating and
redeeming love for persons .… Since the use of illegal drugs, as well
as illegal and problematic use of alcohol, is a major factor in crime,
disease, death and family dysfunction, we support educational programs
as well as other prevention strategies encouraging abstinence from
illegal drug use and, with regard to those who choose to consume
alcoholic beverages, judicious use with deliberate and intentional
restraint, with Scripture as a guide” (¶162L, United Methodist Book of Discipline).
In 2011, the agency issued the challenge, and 50 churches in 22
states, the District of Columbia and nations overseas accepted, Abrams
said. This year the challenge is being expanded to include churches,
small groups and individuals.
“Don’t worry; this is not an attempt by United Methodists to renew
the fight for Prohibition. This is a means to glorify God and prepare
ourselves for the coming celebration of the Risen Christ,” Winkler
said.
*Gilbert is a multimedia reporter for the young adult content team at United Methodist Communications, Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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