Home  |  About the KCC  |  Links  |  Calendar  |  Contact Staff  |  Map to KCC Office  |  KCC News  |  Directory  |  Search  |  Receive Updates
2549 Richmond Road, Suite 302  |  Lexington, Kentucky 40509  |  (859) 269-7715  | Fax (859) 269-1240

GENERAL INFORMATION:

In Henderson and Webster Counties, the call to fasting will begin at 7 pm of the first night of the war. (For example, if the war begins in the middle of the night, the fast will begin the following evening at 7 pm.)

We are inviting all who fast in the various area to "break" their fast together in a community prayer service, at a local Church in your area. Those churches who host the culminating event will need to be prepared to share food together, and gather for a short service of prayer and silence.

This service will take place at 7 pm on the second evening of the war (the third full night of war...) at one or more of our churches in Henderson and Webster Counties. We call on people of faith everywhere to join this fast with regional events of your own. We invite you to organize in your local communities, and to participate in prayers services at the same time on the third full evening of the war.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

Because many of the world's great religions prescribe fasting as a form of spiritual discipline. Because, especially during the Spring, many of the world's great religions undertake periods of fasting (Lent, for Christians; Ramadan, for Muslims; around Purim, for Jews)

We are also doing this because we have been told that the first 48-hours of this war are to be the most intense...perhaps the most severe bombing campaign the world has ever seen. Therefore, in honor of those who will die –American soldiers, Iraqi soldiers, and Iraqi civilians-- a fast is a most appropriate spiritual response.

While many who will undertake this fast are profoundly opposed to this war, this is not a "protest" against the war. It is a spiritual witness and response to the spiritual brokenness that war causes. War should always be the choice of last resort, and symbolizes a profound rift in the human community. Therefore, in solidarity with the pain of war, in seeking to make a spiritual response, we undertake this fast.

WHERE DO I LEARN MORE ABOUT FASTING?

1) An excellent essay appears in the classic book, "Celebration of Discipline," by Richard Foster, available at most bookstores.

2) Online Fasting Resources from various faith traditions:

** For United Methodist perspectives:
http://www.worldmethodist.org/prayerandfasting.htm

http://infoserv.umc.org/faq/lenteaster.htm

http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/wesley/disciple.stm#fasting

A sermon by John Wesley on Fasting can be found here:
http://www.worldmethodist.org/prayerandfasting.htm

** The Catholic Encyclopedia offers an extensive essay on fasting from the Catholic perspective:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05789c.htm

** Fasting in the Muslim tradition is discussed here:
http://www.qss.org/articles/ramadan/toc.html

** This story, from the Jewish traditions, gives many good practical fasting tips: http://www.joi.org/celebrate/yomkippur/fasting.shtml
http://www.aish.com/rabbi/ATR_browse.asp?l=f&offset=4

**A guide that compares fasting in many religious traditions can be
found here: http://www.beliefnet.com/features/fasting_chart.html

The originator is Eric Folkerth, pastor of Northhaven UMC, 11211 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75230 <http://www.northaven.org>. He knows George W. Bush personally; who serves one of the largest churches in his conference even though he is only in his early 40's. More information about what is transpiring in KY can be obtained from Reverend J. Michael Mansfield mike@revjmike.com, Dixon/Dixie United Methodist Charge, 7036 Wheeler Road, Corydon, KY 42406 USA, 270-533-4673 (Phone), 270-533-1191 (Fax).