GENEROUS worshippers across south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are being urged to make a real difference to people's lives during Lent.

James Eregu waters seedlings in a nursery in Uganda funded by the Church of England's Climate Justice Fund

Bishop Christopher has launched his 2013 Lent Appeal with an invitation to help transform lives both in Uganda and within the diocese.

Half the money raised will go to projects to help the homeless in south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The other half will help those affected by climate change in Uganda via the Church of England's Climate Justice Fund.

The annual appeal has been entitled '40 Days of Justice'. And this year’s has an additional element – as well as raising money, local Christians will also be encouraged to change their lifestyles to help the needy at home and abroad.

Worshippers will be asked via social media and the diocesan website to perform a simple action each day that will show God's love to others. Other online resources include a Youtube film showing how Tearfund will spend the money raised via the Climate Justice Fund on projects in Uganda.

Bishop Christopher said: "The annual Lent Appeal has been a fantastic way of helping those in need over many years. Churchgoers in this diocese have been incredibly generous, donating many thousands of pounds on top of their giving to the Church and to other charities.

"The season of Lent is also a time for Christians to reassess their priorities, giving up those things that may not be helpful, and taking on new responsibilities or lifestyle choices. We hope to provide some suggestions on small but significant changes individuals and churches can make as part of our '40 Days of Justice' campaign during Lent."

The Church of England launched the Climate Justice Fund four years ago in partnership with Christian aid agency Tearfund. By giving towards this fund, churches and individual worshippers help Anglican churches around the world equip the poorest communities to respond to the challenges of climate change.

In Uganda, climate change is hitting its poorest people the hardest. Higher temperatures and torrential rain mean that more than a quarter of the population can’t access enough food. The changing climate also means that traditional crops aren’t suitable any longer, leaving families in dire circumstances.

The money given by worshippers in our diocese will go towards helping communities understand the risks they face, conserving increasingly scarce water supplies, teaching new ways to farm, and introducing high-yielding crops better suited to the changing environment.

Farmers such as Paul Emulu have already benefited from such help - after his church taught him to raise seedlings more adaptable to the environment, he was able to grow more than 5,000 plants. He sold each one, making enough money to be able to open a small shop, He is now self-sufficient and able to support his family.

The other half of the money raised by the appeal will go to various projects such as Two Saints, which offers advice and services to help homeless people in Fareham and Gosport turn their lives around. This includes a homeless hostel, a substance misuse hostel, an advice centre and supported lodgings.

In the Isle of Wight, Fellowship House, the new hostel built by the Salvation Army in Ryde, provides training and advice in helping clients with their self-esteem and living independently.

Generous worshippers in our diocese donated nearly £19,000 to the Bishop’s Lent Appeal last year. Churchgoers make donations or hold fundraising events in their churches to support the appeal. Envelopes are available for each church across the diocese. Contact the bishop’s office on 01329-280247 for details.

"I hope that with creative new ideas and imaginative engagement, as well as the tried and trusted ways of fundraising, we can meet or beat last year's generosity and make a real difference this Lent," said the bishop.

For more details, see www.portsmouth.anglican.org/lent2013. Follow the diocese on Twitter via @CofEPortsmouth, or like the diocese on Facebook via www.facebook.com/CofEPortsmouth.