Giving up at LCGS

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February 2007

Giving up at LCGS

In a recent article in the school newsletter, Scott Sargent offered a challenge.

Last year I asked our Senior School students who thought they were rich. Simply by living in this country, with electricity, water and sewerage connected to our homes we demonstrate the material wealth and blessings we enjoy. The fact that they not only wear a pair of shoes to school, but have a spare pair at home and a school to attend, demonstrates the advantage our students have over millions of people in this world.

Last year many of our students stood up against poverty and agreed to do all in their power to eliminate the causes of poverty, injustice and inequality. See www.makepovertyhistory.com.au. I stood with them and yet ...some weeks passed before I was prompted... into any new action.

In writing to the Church in Corinth, when the mother church in Jerusalem was suffering from famine, the Apostle Paul was able to tell the Corinthian Christians of the example of the Macedonian Church, saying that they gave 'as much as they were able, even beyond their ability.' (2 Cor. 8). They saw inequality and the need of their brother and sister Christians and begged Paul for the opportunity to respond.

At Grammar we corporately support many charities and aid organisations, thereby helping alleviate poverty, injustice and inequality, but do we as individuals and as a school give as much as we are able or more than our ability would dictate?

Do we give from our plenty?

The Anglican Board of Mission (ABM) is involved in bringing justice, equality and hope to people within Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Korea and the Philippines. Rather than just providing money, they work alongside indigenous communities and projects.

The School Principal has approved our involvement in 2007 with ABM's FAST FOOD FAST. The FAST FOOD FAST involves giving up fast food for the 40 days of Lent leading up to Easter and donating the money that would have been spent on fast food to ABM.

For me this will mean giving up my mochas with extra cream and sugar, chips and the occasional burger. I reckon I spend $100 every 40 days on these. The idea is that I sacrifice my desires for fast food for a time, in the knowledge that my sacrifice will see justice, hope and equality come to those living in difficult circumstances.

In his letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul reminds them that Jesus himself gave up the riches of heaven and took on poverty - both material (never owning more than the shirt on his back); and spiritual (experiencing separation from God as he suffered on the Cross for us) - so that we might go from being spiritually impoverished to spiritually rich. What Jesus did for us in spiritual terms the Bible commands we do in material terms.

I hope that many people will join me in taking up the challenge of the FAST FOOD FAST.

Scott Sargent is Chaplain to Launceston Church Grammar School.

	The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search
	a healthy church...transformingLIFE
	Home About Contact us News Issues Parishes Prayer Calendar Youth Resources

				February 2007

		Giving up at LCGS In a recent article in the school newsletter, Scott Sargent offered a challenge. Last year I asked our Senior School students who thought they were rich. Simply by living in this country, with electricity, water and sewerage connected to our homes we demonstrate the material wealth and blessings we enjoy. The fact that they not only wear a pair of shoes to school, but have a spare pair at home and a school to attend, demonstrates the advantage our students have over millions of people in this world. Last year many of our students stood up against poverty and agreed to do all in their power to eliminate the causes of poverty, injustice and inequality. See www.makepovertyhistory.com.au. I stood with them and yet ...some weeks passed before I was prompted... into any new action. In writing to the Church in Corinth, when the mother church in Jerusalem was suffering from famine, the Apostle Paul was able to tell the Corinthian Christians of the example of the Macedonian Church, saying that they gave 'as much as they were able, even beyond their ability.' (2 Cor. 8). They saw inequality and the need of their brother and sister Christians and begged Paul for the opportunity to respond. At Grammar we corporately support many charities and aid organisations, thereby helping alleviate poverty, injustice and inequality, but do we as individuals and as a school give as much as we are able or more than our ability would dictate? Do we give from our plenty? The Anglican Board of Mission (ABM) is involved in bringing justice, equality and hope to people within Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Korea and the Philippines. Rather than just providing money, they work alongside indigenous communities and projects. The School Principal has approved our involvement in 2007 with ABM's FAST FOOD FAST. The FAST FOOD FAST involves giving up fast food for the 40 days of Lent leading up to Easter and donating the money that would have been spent on fast food to ABM. For me this will mean giving up my mochas with extra cream and sugar, chips and the occasional burger. I reckon I spend $100 every 40 days on these. The idea is that I sacrifice my desires for fast food for a time, in the knowledge that my sacrifice will see justice, hope and equality come to those living in difficult circumstances. In his letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul reminds them that Jesus himself gave up the riches of heaven and took on poverty - both material (never owning more than the shirt on his back); and spiritual (experiencing separation from God as he suffered on the Cross for us) - so that we might go from being spiritually impoverished to spiritually rich. What Jesus did for us in spiritual terms the Bible commands we do in material terms. I hope that many people will join me in taking up the challenge of the FAST FOOD FAST. Scott Sargent is Chaplain to Launceston Church Grammar School.