Lent study guides

Each year a number of charities offer study packs for use during Lent. If your church hasn’t already chosen its study course for 2006 here are some  you might consider.

The Mission to Seafarers has produced a special parish Lent course as part of the celebrations for its 150th anniversary.

Written by the Revd. Sharon Swaine with small parishes in mind, the six-week course looks at the Book of Psalms and is based on the six themes of praise, power, help, education, justice and hope – all of which are linked to the work of the society.

Accompanying notes for group leaders include optional material about the sea, seafarers and the Mission’s worldwide ministry. 

For further details contact Mrs Kathy Baldwin on 020 7248 5202, or visit the charity’s website pr@missiontoseafarers.org

Free Lent study packs are available from Harvest Help and the Methodist Relief and Development Fund.
The pack, called Our Common Ground, is jointly devised by the two national overseas development charities and offers resources to encourage learning, praying, giving and practical action in support of some of the world’s poorest people.

As well as being suitable for Lent the charities say the pack could be used at any time of year.
Contact Harvest Help on 01952 260699, email or call MRDF on 0207 467 5132, www.mrdf.org.uk

This year USPG has prepared a five-week course exploring the words of Jesus when he said: ‘I have come that you might have life in all its fullness’. The course asks what these words might mean in a world of widespread poverty and includes interviews with Christians in Malawi, questions for group discussion, prayers and suggestion for practical action, as well as photographs and background material on Malawi. To order a copy email USPG

Action is called for with the WaterAid 2006 Lent pack.

As part of its Lent appeal, WaterAid is encouraging church groups to collect ‘Jars of Change for Jars of Water’ to help some of the poorest communities in the world gain access to life’s most basic essentials.

Churches can order a free Church Lent pack which includes jar stickers, activities for children, talk outline and magazine articles and posters. To request a Jar of Grace pack telephone 0870 606 3377 or visit www.unicef.org.uk/jarofgrace