By Tori Smit Easter is coming and churches are beginning to wonder how they might celebrate the resurrection of Jesus in a meaningful and wonder-filled way when we can’t come together, in one place, and shout out ‘Alleluia’ at the top of our lungs. How do we celebrate...
by British Hyrams Maundy Thursday is the first of three Holy Week rituals following Palm Sunday and culminating on Easter Sunday. Maundy means “commandment.” Maundy Thursday acknowledges the new commandment that Jesus gave his disciples at the feast of the Last...
How Parents Can Help Involve Children in Worship by Dorothy Henderson Worship is the central unifying act of the whole Christian community. Parents, as well as other church members, believe that children belong in worship and should be fully involved as...
The Cradle Roll Revisited: Ensure that the newest generation is not forgotten by Carol Wehrheim When I was a child, a cradle roll was displayed on the wall just outside the Beginners Sunday School room in my church. A large paper cradle was at the top. From it, on...
“Worship and Sacraments” Educator Certification course participants at the 2019 Annual Event Grace and Gratitude in Galveston by Erin Dickerson As educators and ministry professionals, we often forget that we not only have a responsibility for the faith...
During the 2019 APCE Annual Event in Galveston, Dr. Michael Waschevski taught an educator certification course on Worship and Sacraments. The group reflected on the role, issues, and opportunities involving music in our worshiping communities. The following article...
by Karen DeBoer I dreaded the baptism day of each of our four children. I fretted about what I would wear, when to feed the baby, how to feed extended family, and whether or not the baby’s siblings would start to fight while we were standing at the front of the...
We apologize for the technical glitch this morning that resulted in requests for Annual Event Ride Shares being mailed out instead of the usual blog post from the Advocate. Technology is wonderful and complex sometimes! We hope to see many of you in Galveston next...
by Rebecca Davis “Take a moment…in the midst of your fretting over a fussy baby, your nerves of standing in front of the congregation, your worry about family dynamics and the meal after the service, in the midst of all the details of this baptism…take a moment and...
In my worship community, we use art and art-making in worship as another layer of preaching and liturgy. On this day, I offer the piece before reading the text and invite folks to consider and answer aloud: What do you see? What do you hear? What do you feel? This...
