March 1 fast to highlight safety issues in Iraq Feb. 6, 2004
NEW
YORK (UMNS) - After ending his own 22-day fast, a United Methodist
pastor is inviting others to join a special fast on March 1, organized
by an interfaith group, to draw attention to the peace process in Iraq. The
Peace Circle, an interfaith group based in Morrisville, Pa., is
sponsoring the fast to highlight two objectives: making Iraq a safer
place for U.S. coalition troops and encouraging the Pentagon to create a
simple and quick process to allow Iraqi families to locate loved ones
who have been imprisoned. The
Rev. Frederick Boyle, pastor of Titusville United Methodist Church in
New Jersey, plans to participate in the March 1 fast. People who would
be unable to stop eating food for a day could give up other things, he
noted, such as watching television. He
told United Methodist News Service he considered his own fast - for
similar reasons - a success because it highlighted to people of faith
"that there are still ongoing problems (in Iraq)." Boyle,
who lost 25 pounds, ended his fast with the bread of Holy Communion on
Feb. 1. He explained that he was growing weaker and was concerned about
being able to perform his other ministerial duties. But he hopes others
will continue to express concerns about the situation in Iraq and
realize that "it's not unpatriotic to pray for innocent people caught in
the midst of a war." The
Peace Circle is planning to maintain a "rolling fast" on Mondays
following March 1. It also urges people to contact their state and
federal representatives and senators about issues of safety and humane
treatment in Iraq. More information is available by sending an e-mail to
PeaceCircle@GodHQ.net.
News media contact: Linda Bloom · (626) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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