The Christian charity Stewardship is challenging people to change the world with 40acts. How? They want us ‘do Lent generously’ this year and take part in forty simple acts of generosity. These everyday acts of generosity include donating blood, forgiving people, living on a fiver, being a mentor and sharing the Bible.
40acts will launch this week on Ash Wednesday 13th February 2013 and will set participants daily challenges to complete over the forty days of Lent. Now in its third consecutive year, 40acts invites people to do Lent differently. Instead of giving something up, 40acts challenges participants to give something ‘out’. Over 7500 people have already signed up to 40acts 2013.
“The idea behind 40acts is simple,” says Debbie Wright, head of content at Stewardship, ‘Lent marks a pivotal point in the history of the church, when Jesus prepared to give himself up as a sacrifice for all mankind. Traditionally we mark Lent by giving something up, but what if it could be more than that? What if Lent was a preparation for a lifetime of big-heartedness?’ She continues; “small acts of generosity, performed by thousands of Christians across the UK, have the power to make a big change to our communities, to our churches and ultimately, to our world.”
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-gOIoJI9SE
Participants can sign up to 40acts via 40acts.org.uk and will receive daily 40acts challenges via email from 13 February to 30 March 2013.
Challenges will also be posted on the 40acts website on a daily basis and will be be aided by forty biblical reflections from a plethora of highly regarded contributors, including:
Lord Michael Hastings (House of Lords), Anne Atkins (BBC Radio 4), Nicky and Sila Lee (Holy Trinity Brompton), Paul Kerensa (BBC1’s Miranda), Krish Kandiah (Evangelical Alliance), James Catford (Bible Society), Rob Parsons (Care for the Family), Chris Duffett (Baptist Union of Great Britain), Chine Mbubgaebu (threads), Bekah Legg (Liberti magazine), Phoebe Thompson (Youthwork magazine) and Russ Bravo (Inspire magazine).
Visit 40acts.org.uk for more information about the campaign and to get involved.
Free resource packs, providing additional material and adaptable meeting guides for small church groups, youth groups and church leaders are also available for download at 40acts.org.uk.
