Each Lent since 1972, successive Bishops of Southwark have called on the parishes of the Diocese to raise funds for local community projects in Southwark and our Link Dioceses in Zimbabwe and Jerusalem, as well as inviting them to a time of prayer and contemplation.

Over the years, these appeals have raised nearly £1,000,000, which has been shared with more than 150 projects, both in our own Diocese and in other parts of the Anglican Communion.

This year, the theme of Lent Call is How shall we sing the Lords song in a strange land? (Psalm 137.4) focusing on projects working to improve the mental health and well-being of people across local communities.

We are facing troubling times; the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, there is devastation throughout the land and people are fleeing for safety. The cost of living in this country is increasing, causing anxiety to many as they consider whether they can be warm or can feed their family. Life is hard for many and peoples mental health and well-being is suffering. So many people are anxious and stressed because of the situations in which they find themselves and their mental health and their well-being suffers.

The projects featured this year help with access to medical care both here, in the UK, and in our Link Diocese of Jerusalem. Access to food is a common theme too as worry about being able to feed the family leads to enormous stress and we ask for your help to support foodbanks here and nutritional gardens in our Link Dioceses in Zimbabwe. Many are dealing with the pressures of life and with your support we can also help projects facilitate and develop well-being strategies that people can access to cope with the stress and mental illness caused by our modern world.

As we spend time in prayer and contemplation this Lent, we hope that you will feel able to generously support the projects we have chosen this year in the Diocese of Southwark and in our Link Dioceses in Jerusalem and Zimbabwe.