Barefoot students take a message
LEONARDTOWN ? Students from St. Paul?s UMC staged a protest at Chopticon High School Nov. 15 ? by going barefoot. They were campaigning to bring awareness of poverty in Africa.
St. Paul?s sponsored the '40 Days of Nothing' campaign and included various 'sacrifices' of the students? privileged lifestyle to appreciate how many Africans live. Besides going without shoes for a day, some students gave up television, the Internet, meat, cell phones, make-up and electricity.
The Rev. Stanley Cardwell, who had introduced the students to the '40 Days' program, explained, 'We really felt like we needed to get engaged in the situation in Africa, not just by raising money, but also through ?experimental immersion.?'
The church celebrated the end of the 40 days Nov. 19, with three worship services and an afternoon of music, dance, drama and testimonies. They capped off the evening with a closing family bonfire at St. Paul?s? new Callaway campus.
Over the 40 days of events and observances, they raised $32,000, said Janet Smith, the church?s administrative assistant. 'This was about changing hearts for God.' she said. The funds will be divided between the Hope Fund and World Vision.
For information on holding a 40 Days of Nothing program, see www.Stpauls-UMC.com and click on box with pink elephant on right.
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