Advent Asceticism

During Advent Fr. Ron invites you to a season of increased spiritual discipline. Through spiritual disciplines like fasting, praying the Daily Office, and weekly fellowship meetings we can increase our awareness and reliance on God as we await our coming King. We commend those who join us to make these three commitments throughout Advent (First Sunday of Advent through Christmas Eve):

1. Pray Morning Prayer and/or Evening Prayer.

2. Meet on Thursday evenings at 7pm at the church for a time of worship, fellowship, and prayer.

3. Choose at least one ascetical discipline to practice during Advent:

• Take short, cold showers.

• Practice regular, intense exercise.

• Get a full night’s sleep (at least seven hours is recommended).

• Abstain from alcohol.

• Abstain from desserts and sweets.

• Abstain from eating between meals.

• Abstain from soda or sweet drinks (white milk, black coffee, and black tea are permissible).

• Abstain from television, movies, or televised sports.

• Abstain from video games (phone, console, or PC).

• Abstain from non-essential material purchases.

• Only listen to music that lifts the soul to God.

• Only use the computer for work, school, or essential tasks (e.g., paying bills).

• Only use mobile devices for essential communications; cut out non-essential texting, app, and internet use.

• Take Wednesdays and/or Fridays as days of fasting. (Abstain from meat and only eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.)