Thu, Mar. 10 2011 05:13 PM EDT


Some Christians Give Up Alcohol for Lent
By Audrey Barrick|Christian Post Reporter

It might be a peculiar call to make in a church, but The United Methodist Church is asking its members to fast from alcohol during Lent.


To be clear, the 7.8 million-member denomination affirms abstinence from alcohol. But "Alcohol Free Lent" is meant to start discussions on "the elephant in the room – alcohol use among our members."

Lent began with Ash Wednesday this week. It marks the 40-day period before Easter. Traditionally, many Catholics and Protestants choose to fast from certain foods and nowadays from technology or social networking.

The United Methodists' challenge, meanwhile, may cause a stir.

"To ask United Methodists to give up alcohol for Lent is provocative because we like to think United Methodists don't drink," Cynthia Abrams of the UMC's General Board of Church and Society, told The Washington Post.

"We decided ... to confront the elephant in the room by doing something provocative and engaging in conversation about it throughout Lent."

"I want more Christian news!"

Alcohol Free Lent was inspired by Dr. James Howell who issued a similar challenge to his congregation in Charlotte, N.C., for a previous Lent. The call to give up alcohol for 40 days came after Howell heard news about teenagers who were taken to the hospital for alcohol poisoning.

"How do we unwittingly harm our children? It could just be by the way we consume alcohol, and not just that we drink, or how much we drink, but all the fond meanings we attach to drinking," he said, according to the United Methodist Board of Church and Society.

Myers Park United Methodist Church agreed to a churchwide fast where money that would have been used to purchase cocktails, wine or other alcoholic beverages would go to the "spirit fund." That money would be directed to help people who are struggling with alcohol problems.


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