Area Mennonites Put More Effort, Less Energy Into Lent

[Blue_Tires]

Source: The Daily News Record, Harrisonburg, Va.

HARRISONBURG — For a month Sam Sauder has been living in denial.

In his case, Sauder’s selflessness involves water.

“My son has a different format for showering — halfway through, he turns off the water, soaps up, then turns it on again ,” said Sauder, 37, a computer programmer at Eastern Mennonite University and a member of Ridgeway Mennonite Church. “I’m trying to do the same thing — it’s been a challenge.”

The Rev. Benjamin E. Risser, pastor at Ridgeway Mennonite, hopes that Sauder’s example rubs off on others. This year, Ridgeway Mennonite is one of several churches in the Shenandoah Valley that are observing Lent by limiting its use of energy.

On Feb. 6, or Ash Wednesday, many of Ridgeway Mennonite’s 120 members pledged to lower their material consumption. Breaking from an annual routine of such personal sacrifices as the forsaking of favorite food, entertainment and other comforts, Sauder, Risser and others at their church are cutting back on such luxuries as water, electricity and fuel.



Read more: http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=15457&CHID=14

[Oleladylib]

1. This is great and positive this morning on DU..I thank you!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

2. K&R

Since this was moved from LBN; let's send it to the greatest page.