A new global movement - #washday15
- provides a means for participating in a worldwide Lenten discipline
through social media postings on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, and
Facebook. Initiated by the Diocese of Oxford in England, the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society is joining with the Church of England and other provinces throughout the Anglican Communion in #washday15.
The effort was inspired by the video Laundry Love
- which was viewed at Southern Virginia's 2015 Annual Council last
month. The video features an Episcopal congregation in Santa Monica, CA
(Diocese of Los Angeles) that meets at a
laundromat once a month to do laundry with the homeless. The goal of
#washday15 is to engage people in a Lenten practice, culminating on Holy
Thursday, the traditional day for foot washing.
"#Washday15 is all
about loving service to others, an ancient Lenten discipline like
fasting and prayer that could not be more relevant to the soul of the
Church today," noted Alexander D. Baumgarten, Director of Public
Engagement and Mission Communication for the Domestic and Foreign
Missionary Society. "In loving service to others, we experience a kind
of repentance and conversion - a pivot to a new manner of being - that
prepares us to walk in the abundant life of Easter."
According to the website: "#washday15
is a way of encouraging people to make a difference to their
communities this Lent through some kind of washing-related activity. The
washing element is a way of re-enacting Jesus' washing of the
disciples' feet at the Last Supper."
"Wash something
with someone and make a difference in their day-to-day life or in your
community. Then share your photos, tweets and posts." noted Anne Rudig,
Director of Communication. "#washday15, like Laundry Love, is modern-day
foot washing."
For more info contact Rudig at arudig@episcopalchurch.org
