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TORRINGTON, CONN (SZS) Looking for a Lenten Practice for Yourself or Your Congregation? Consider Make or Break for Lent—a Wellness Activity from Portico. As Christians, Lent draws us to deepen our spiritual life; this includes being more attentive to our spiritual practices, such as Bible study, worship, prayer, and service to others in the name of Christ. Many of our spiritual practices include food. We gather at God’s table of grace and partake of the Lord’s Supper. We gather in our congregations for soup suppers and worship. And there’s the centuries-old tradition of “giving something up” for Lent. Many of us fast or give up certain foods as a symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. During the six weeks of Lent, you and your congregation are invited to add something to your Lenten spiritual journey by being good stewards of the body God has provided for you and focusing on your habits around food. With this activity, you’ll encourage one another to make a healthy eating habit or break an unhealthy one. By taking an intentional step toward better health, you’ll help each other reflect on God’s many gifts to you and live as whole and holy people of God.

Participants will:
– Choose one eating habit to change during Lent
– Identify potential barriers using the Lazarus scripture
– Commit to change using a finger labyrinth
– Practice the habit for six weeks

Consider making a habit such as: eating more prayerfully. Give thanks before each meal. Eat at the table, not in the car, at the computer or TV. Chew thoroughly. Pause to savor colors, flavors, smells. Why? Slowing down can promote gratitude, discovery, relaxation, and potentially even weight loss. Or, consider making other habits such as tracking what you consume, filling half of your plate with produce, or fueling up with a healthy breakfast. Break unhealthy habits by doing things like quitting processed foods and unhealthy snacks, going sugar free, and ditching unhealthy beverages.

You might recognize Make or Break from this year’s ELCA-Primary health plan challenge. Portico developed this special Lenten version for anyone, whether or not you have ELCA health benefits. Consider practicing with friends, ministry teams – or even as a whole community of faith! The Lenten season leads us to the promise of renewal. Together in faith, discover how one new habit can help you grow more fully into the child of God you were created to be.

Resources for this activity are available online from Portico’s website.

“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see everything has become new!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

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