Advent Resources
NEWEST LISTED FIRST
Three ways to create sacred moments at home this Advent
Click here.
‘Tell Me Something Good,’ a new web series from The Episcopal Church
Highlights positive stories from around the church through conversations with a variety of guests. New episodes of Tell Me Something Good will be released every two weeks. Episode 1 is available for viewing on The Episcopal Church website here, on Facebook here, and on Instagram TV, @theepiscopalchurch. Click here
A Brief Introduction to Advent
Click here for a simple introduction to the Season of Advent.
Daily Email Meditation
You can download a free Daily Advent Meditation booklet in PDF form here. (This is the booklet we are using for Adult Forum.) You can also sign up to receive a daily meditation during Advent by email, free. Click here, scroll down to where it says, ENROLL FOR FREE TO RECEIVE EACH DAY’S READING VIA A DAILY EMAIL, and enter your email address.
A Short Video from Ilia Delio
In this 7-minute video, Franciscan sister and scientist Ilia Delio gives a helpful perspective on how to approach the season of Advent in a contemplative manner.
“The Womb of Advent”
A free, wonderful and unique online Advent Devotional written by a husband (and Episcopal priest) whose wife has a precarious pregnancy. He imagines the child in the womb – his own child, and Jesus – beginning 30 days before birth. The free, online version can be found here. (The book is also available to purchase on Amazon here.)
For Families
A wonderful, free, online “Activity Pack for Advent Through Epiphany” is available for families here.
Make an Advent Calendar
Some very creative ideas for making your own Advent Calendar can be found here.
VISIT THE HOLY LAND EVERY DAY IN ADVENT (OUR ADVENT CALENDAR OPENS ON DECEMBER 1)
Start each day of Advent with a splash of joy! Open a door to a photo or a brief video for a glimpse into the lives of Holy Land Christians and the humanitarian ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Click here: https://afedj.org/resources/advent/
Embrace Yourself in Advent
I would like to suggest a new "at-home" practice this year. Each Sunday, at the start of online worship, I will invite you to light a candle and have it next to you during worship. (You might also use battery-operated candles; votives are available at Walmart and DollarTree.) This will be the first candle on your "Advent wreath." After worship, place the candle in one corner of your living room. On the 2nd Sunday of Advent, light another candle at the start of online worship, and after worship, place it in another corner of your living room. By the end of Advent, your whole living room will have become encircled with an Advent wreath of candles! When you spend time in that room, you can feel yourself encircled by the spirit of Advent holiness and sacred waiting.
Handling Grief during the Holidays: an e-Course
Christmas can be the "most wonderful time of the year" for many, but for some who are grieving, separated from loved ones, suffering financial hardship, or experiencing some other loss, it can be difficult. The Upper Room is sponsoring an e-course, "This Blue Christmas," from Sunday, November 29 through Thursday, December 24, 2020. The discounted price of $25 includes a copy of the book. Register through this link to get the discounted price.
Online Advent Retreat Dec. 11
Spiritual Companion and poet Kathy Staudt will guide us – through poetry, journaling and guided prayer – to reclaim ways to live in hope and respond to this season’s holy invitations. Sponsored by Virginia Seminary (an Episcopal Seminary), the 3-hour online retreat will be Fri, December 11, from 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM. You can choose to pay or not to pay. (If you choose not to pay, they will require you to provide an email of a friend or family member, to whom they will send an invitation to the retreat.) Click here for more information and to register.
Some Suggestions for Advent/Christmas Charitable Giving
Since we are not participating in Operation Christmas Child this year (our SWEEPS Council made that decision last year), our Vestry has suggested that we provide our congregation with a list of possible local and international charities to which members might choose to give. Click here for a list of some worthy and responsible charities, and how you might give to their ministries..
Three ways to create sacred moments at home this Advent
Click here.
‘Tell Me Something Good,’ a new web series from The Episcopal Church
Highlights positive stories from around the church through conversations with a variety of guests. New episodes of Tell Me Something Good will be released every two weeks. Episode 1 is available for viewing on The Episcopal Church website here, on Facebook here, and on Instagram TV, @theepiscopalchurch. Click here
A Brief Introduction to Advent
Click here for a simple introduction to the Season of Advent.
Daily Email Meditation
You can download a free Daily Advent Meditation booklet in PDF form here. (This is the booklet we are using for Adult Forum.) You can also sign up to receive a daily meditation during Advent by email, free. Click here, scroll down to where it says, ENROLL FOR FREE TO RECEIVE EACH DAY’S READING VIA A DAILY EMAIL, and enter your email address.
A Short Video from Ilia Delio
In this 7-minute video, Franciscan sister and scientist Ilia Delio gives a helpful perspective on how to approach the season of Advent in a contemplative manner.
“The Womb of Advent”
A free, wonderful and unique online Advent Devotional written by a husband (and Episcopal priest) whose wife has a precarious pregnancy. He imagines the child in the womb – his own child, and Jesus – beginning 30 days before birth. The free, online version can be found here. (The book is also available to purchase on Amazon here.)
For Families
A wonderful, free, online “Activity Pack for Advent Through Epiphany” is available for families here.
Make an Advent Calendar
Some very creative ideas for making your own Advent Calendar can be found here.
VISIT THE HOLY LAND EVERY DAY IN ADVENT (OUR ADVENT CALENDAR OPENS ON DECEMBER 1)
Start each day of Advent with a splash of joy! Open a door to a photo or a brief video for a glimpse into the lives of Holy Land Christians and the humanitarian ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Click here: https://afedj.org/resources/advent/
Embrace Yourself in Advent
I would like to suggest a new "at-home" practice this year. Each Sunday, at the start of online worship, I will invite you to light a candle and have it next to you during worship. (You might also use battery-operated candles; votives are available at Walmart and DollarTree.) This will be the first candle on your "Advent wreath." After worship, place the candle in one corner of your living room. On the 2nd Sunday of Advent, light another candle at the start of online worship, and after worship, place it in another corner of your living room. By the end of Advent, your whole living room will have become encircled with an Advent wreath of candles! When you spend time in that room, you can feel yourself encircled by the spirit of Advent holiness and sacred waiting.
Handling Grief during the Holidays: an e-Course
Christmas can be the "most wonderful time of the year" for many, but for some who are grieving, separated from loved ones, suffering financial hardship, or experiencing some other loss, it can be difficult. The Upper Room is sponsoring an e-course, "This Blue Christmas," from Sunday, November 29 through Thursday, December 24, 2020. The discounted price of $25 includes a copy of the book. Register through this link to get the discounted price.
Online Advent Retreat Dec. 11
Spiritual Companion and poet Kathy Staudt will guide us – through poetry, journaling and guided prayer – to reclaim ways to live in hope and respond to this season’s holy invitations. Sponsored by Virginia Seminary (an Episcopal Seminary), the 3-hour online retreat will be Fri, December 11, from 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM. You can choose to pay or not to pay. (If you choose not to pay, they will require you to provide an email of a friend or family member, to whom they will send an invitation to the retreat.) Click here for more information and to register.
Some Suggestions for Advent/Christmas Charitable Giving
Since we are not participating in Operation Christmas Child this year (our SWEEPS Council made that decision last year), our Vestry has suggested that we provide our congregation with a list of possible local and international charities to which members might choose to give. Click here for a list of some worthy and responsible charities, and how you might give to their ministries..