wfn.org | March 1 fast to highlight safety issues in Iraq

["NewsDesk" <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Feb. 6, 2004   News media contact: Linda Bloom7(646) 369-37597New
York7E-mail:  newsdesk@umcom.org ALL-I {043}

NEW YORK (UMNS) - After ending his own 22-day fast, a United Methodist pastor
is inviting others to join a special fast on March 1, organized by an
interfaith group, to draw attention to the peace process in Iraq.

The Peace Circle, an interfaith group based in Morrisville, Pa., is
sponsoring the fast to highlight two objectives: making Iraq a safer place
for U.S. coalition troops and encouraging the Pentagon to create a simple and
quick process to allow Iraqi families to locate loved ones who have been
imprisoned.

The Rev. Frederick Boyle, pastor of Titusville United Methodist Church in New
Jersey, plans to participate in the March 1 fast. People who would be unable
to stop eating food for a day could give up other things, he noted, such as
watching television.

He told United Methodist News Service he considered his own fast - for
similar reasons - a success because it highlighted to people of faith "that
there are still ongoing problems (in Iraq)."

Boyle, who lost 25 pounds, ended his fast with the bread of Holy Communion on
Feb. 1. He explained that he was growing weaker and was concerned about being
able to perform his other ministerial duties. But he hopes others will
continue to express concerns about the situation in Iraq and realize that
"it's not unpatriotic to pray for innocent people caught in the midst of a
war."

The Peace Circle is planning to maintain a "rolling fast" on Mondays
following March 1. It also urges people to contact their state and federal
representatives and senators about issues of safety and humane treatment in
Iraq. More information is available by sending an e-mail to
PeaceCircle@GodHQ.net. 

 
 

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United Methodist News Service
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