As we approach the season of Lent in the church, many of you will, I am sure – even if you are not a churchgoer – be thinking about what you can give up. Last year, I thought I would be clever and jokingly decided to give up broccoli – something that I am not too keen on. I thought it would be a doddle, but it wasn’t until I had been at a friend’s house for an hour or so, tucking into hummus with carrot sticks and broccoli stems, that I realised I had failed even in giving up broccoli!
So – have you decided on what you might give up this Lent? It may surprise you to know that in church circles, there is a great campaign to give up plastic, and specifically single-use plastic, for Lent. This is all part of the church’s drive of Caring for Creation – one of its Five Marks of Mission.
Here in the Algarve, we are blessed with stunning natural beauty, from our dramatic coastline to the rich biodiversity of the inland areas. But this beauty is under threat. We are witnessing the increasing pressures on our environment, from the impacts of climate change to the all-too-visible problem of plastic pollution. These challenges aren’t just abstract ideas; they affect our community, our livelihoods, and the future we are creating for generations to come.
At Luz Church, we believe that caring for creation is not just a good idea; it’s a fundamental part of our faith. It’s a responsibility entrusted to us by God. We are thrilled to have recently achieved the Silver Award in the A Rocha Eco Church scheme, a recognition of our commitment to integrating environmental awareness into every aspect of our church life. This award celebrates the changes we’ve already made, from improving our energy efficiency and reducing waste to promoting sustainable practices within our community. But Silver isn’t our ultimate goal – we’re aiming for Gold!
This Lent, we are joining a national movement encouraging everyone to give up single-use plastic. This seemingly small sacrifice can have a huge collective impact. Think about the disposable coffee cups, the plastic bags and the excessive packaging that we use for just a few minutes, only for it to end up polluting our oceans, harming wildlife, and contributing to the growing mountain of plastic waste. We can make a real difference by making conscious choices to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics.
This Lenten challenge is not simply about giving something up; it’s about embracing a new way of living that is more sustainable and respectful of our planet. It’s about recognising that even our smallest actions have consequences. We invite everyone in our community, regardless of their background or beliefs, to join us in this important effort. Bring your own reusable bags to the shops, choose products with minimal packaging, and say no to single-use plastics whenever you can.
We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of A Rocha, a local Christian charity who have become a global international charity doing fantastic work in conservation and environmental education. Their guidance has been invaluable on our journey to becoming a more eco-conscious community.
This Lent, let’s all take a moment to reflect on our relationship with the natural world. Let’s pledge to make small changes that can have a big impact. Let’s walk more gently on this earth, recognising the precious gift of creation and our responsibility to protect it. Together, we can create a brighter, greener future for the Algarve, and for the world.
God bless.
Anglican services every Thursday at 10.30 am and every Sunday at 8 am and 11.30 am
Fr Rob is the Anglican Chaplain at Igreja Nossa Senhora da Luz
