To: Clergy and People
From: The Bishop
28th February, 2022

Greetings!

Please see the attached and information below.

Sincerely

The Rt. Rev’d C. Leopold Friday
Bishop of the Windward Islands

 40 Days With God’s Creatures Lent guide from Sarx, a UK registered Christian animal advocacy charity. 

The creation of this resource was inspired by the words of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu who urged Christians to seek justice and protection for all creatures, humans and animals alike: 

“I have seen first-hand how injustice gets overlooked when the victims are powerless or vulnerable, when they have no one to speak up for them and no means of representing themselves to a higher authority. Animals are in precisely that position. Unless we are mindful of their interests and speak out loudly on their behalf, abuse and cruelty go unchallenged”

Available via a free and easy-to-use app (available on both iOS and Android), the 40 Days With God’s Creatures Lent guide offers users the chance to reflect theologically and creatively about animals and animal issues. This interactive, daily guide aims to take users on an explorative journey, including the use of biblical and theological readings, art, videos, music, photography and poetry.

With contributions from renowned academics including Professor David Clough, Professor Celia Deane-Drummond, Professor Matt Halteman and Professor Michael Gilmour, the guide is receiving praise from a wide variety of Anglican church leaders from parish priests to an Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Communion:

“Covid-19 is one of a long list of viruses that have jumped from animals to humans, often facilitated by the ways we have treated other living beings. Unless we change our relationships with the rest of God’s Creation, recognising it as crucial to our survival, we face future viruses. The timing of this Lenten series is apt, helping us to explore what it means to preach the Good news to the whole of Creation.”

The Most Revd Thabo Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of South Africa

“God calls us to full and abundant living as disciples – living in partnership and compassion with all of God’s creation. As we re-think our place on the planet and how we share it particularly with other creatures, this resource is timely and welcomed in this season of Lent.”

The Very Revd Karen Lund, Anglican Archdeacon of Manchester

“This timely app is superbly conceived. Its varied, imaginative approach will engage our hearts, stretch our minds and enrich our lives as it enables us to explore God’s all-embracing love for all of creation. Lent will be well spent if we are accompanied by this very creative resource.”

The Rt Revd John Pritchard, former Anglican Bishop of Oxford

I am attaching our 2022 e-brochure with further information and link to our video trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK3A6nSWFI4&feature=youtu.be

In the lead up to this year’s Lambeth Conference, which will feature the safeguarding of creation as a core theme, this Lent is the perfect time to explore Christian perceptions of animals.

I warmly welcome you to explore the resources personally and share the weblink and brochure among the individuals and communities within your province. 

I thank you for your kind attention and any help you can offer in spreading word about this resource. For more information on Sarx: www.sarx.org.uk 

With best wishes,

Daryl.