Six New Things – Week of November 16
One
Develop gratitude with Illustrated Ministry’s Thankful Hearts Coloring Pages or resources from our Thanksgiving Children & Families and Worship lib guides.
Two
Start Creating Special Memories at Home this Christmas after a day retreat hosted by the authors of Little Mole’s Christmas Gift (Beaming) and Faithful Families for Advent and Christmas (Chalice) offering readings and ideas; inspire at-home preparations and celebrations with Personal Online Advent Calendars – an especially fun way to share images and artwork of young ones with socially-distancing elders and family; and Worship Times offers 20 Creative Ways to Celebrate Advent 2020.
Find more tips and resources in our Faith Formation: Advent & Christmas lib guide. And watch for our MN Conference UCC Advent Faith Formation Toolkits, coming soon!
Three
Help yourself prepare for Advent and Christmas with Church Anew’s Christ / Christmas / Covid free online event with national and local presenters and utilize Rev. Elsa Cook’s lovely Lessons and Carols for Coronatide to make The First Sunday of Christmas a breeze.
Find more resources in our frequently updated Worship: Advent & Christmas lib guide.
Four
Ground your congregation in the knowledge that Love Is the Way (Penguin) and let A Conversation with Drew G. I. Hart inspire them to answer the question Who Will Be a Witness? (MennoMedia) with a resounding, “Me!” Equip yourself and your people to interact with others more effectively with Rev. Dr. Ron Bell’s Race, Trauma & Empathy Webinar; discuss medical care for communities of color and learn how you can participate in Education & Empowerment: Reducing End-of-Life Disparities; and learn how to help vulnerable students who face barriers to digital education through Leading in Crisis: When Internet Access becomes a Barrier to Education.
Five
Get inspired for other innovations in ministry with MN Annual Conference UMC’s Taking It to the Hoop Part 2 featuring a five-station drive-through children’s ministry and engaging online ministry separate from worship.
Congrats to our Hopeful Innovation Grant recipients! We loved learning about the amazing creativity of our congregations and look forward to posting their Great Ideas in the near future!
Six
Then allow yourself some rest and renewal time with Beside Still Waters: Favorite Prayers, Poems and Scripture to Calm the Soul or Without Oars: Casting Off into a Life of Pilgrimage (both Beaming). Help your young people renew with Crafting Calm: Art and Activities for Mindful Kids (Beaming).
You can find related resources in our Leader Renewal and Contemplative & Mental Health Practices for Children & Youth lib guides.
