University Presbyterian Church (UPC) in Austin, Texas, is calling for a day of prayer and fasting on Good Friday, March 29th, in solidarity with victims of what President Biden has called the “Intolerable Humanitarian Crisis” of impending famine in Gaza.
Matt Gaventa, Senior Pastor of UPC, issued the following statement: “The practice of Good Friday fasting is designed to focus our attention on the unjust suffering at the heart of the Gospel. While the geopolitical realities of the conflict are complicated, the need for food and water in Gaza is both simple and urgent. Our Christian faith compels us to take whatever action we can in order to love our neighbors — even those on the far side of the planet.”
Rachel Dodd, longtime member of UPC and former resident of the West Bank, commented: “Solidarity and lamentation are close to our hearts as we grieve through the practice of fasting this Good Friday which will mark the 174th day of relentless strife in Gaza. As over one million Palestinians are on the cusp of starvation, we note that this fast holds additional importance as it coincides with the fasting of Muslim brothers and sisters for the holy month of Ramadan.”
UPC invites both individuals and worshiping communities to join in this day of prayer and fasting. For more information, including the text of the full resolution adopted by the UPC Session, visit https://upcaustin.org/goodfridayfast
About University Presbyterian Church: Founded in 1889, University Presbyterian Church has for more than 100 years gathered in service to Jesus Christ in the neighborhood of the University of Texas at Austin. is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and a member-church of Mission Presbytery.
