Several United Methodist news sources have linked to an article in the Washington Post titled “Lent gets 21st-century makeover.“* The following two paragraphs applied specifically to United Methodists:
For the first time, the United Methodist Church is urging its 7.8 million U.S. members to refrain from drinking alcohol during Lent. Teetotaling is familiar turf in United Methodism, and now Lent provides a framework to consider the role alcohol plays in individual lives, families and society, said Cynthia Abrams of the UMC’s General Board of Church and Society.
“To ask United Methodists to give up alcohol for Lent is provocative because we like to think United Methodists don’t drink,” said Abrams, who works on alcohol and other health issues. “We decided . . . to confront the elephant in the room by doing something provocative and engaging in conversation about it throughout Lent.”
I couldn’t find much about this on the General Board of Church and Society website, but I did find an article in which Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society, cited the relevant passage from The Book of Discipline, encouraged to participants to contribute the money they would have spent on alcohol toward a good cause; and pledged
Don’t worry, this is not an attempt by United Methodists to renew the fight for Prohibition. This is a means to glorify God and prepare ourselves for the coming celebration of the Risen Christ.
It’s interesting that I hadn’t heard of this until directed to an article in a secular newspaper. But, because I believe that alcohol contributes to a great many of societies ills and the Collins household (the parsonage) is already alcohol free I heartily endorse it. It’s easy to give up something for Lent that you had not intention of doing anyway. If this is more difficult for you I would still encourage you to accept the challenge. If you want commiseration, I’ve given up pop and three days into Lent that’s already turning out to difficult. I do think the second sentence in the above quote is especially important to note. The opposition of the Methodist movement to alcohol is linked to a desire to glorify God, address the evils of society, and work toward a better world.
*The capitalization on that title is odd, but it’s the way The Washington Post has it on their website.