Jan 10, 2021 |
UPDATED Just as we’ve completed the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle, Lent is on the horizon. It’s an annual conundrum – waiting through Advent, celebrating the Christmas birth, sharing Epiphany stars and stories of the Magi – all the while anticipating Lent and the...
Aug 2, 2020 |
Many churches mark the back-to-school season with a Blessing of Backpacks for children, families, teachers, and leaders who are returning to the classroom after summer break. This ritual is a tangible reminder that God is present everywhere and accompanies us in every...
Jul 26, 2020 |
by Tori Smit What will we teach this fall? For many of our churches, thinking creatively about how and what our Sunday schools will be teaching this fall as we go online, over Zoom, or become parent-led is a huge and overwhelming concern. As each of us begins to look...
Jun 14, 2020 |
by Kathy L. Dawson I have been observing the amazing work of educators for many years now. What I have seen is people who are creative and resilient in the face of change. In this time, we have been on a steep learning curve regarding online ways of continuing and...
May 31, 2020 |
by Beth Herrinton-Hodge Standing on the edge of summer, while many of our churches have not returned to “in person” gatherings, we continue to wrestle with questions about engaging with our families, children, and church communities. Many “tried and true” activities...
May 24, 2020 |
by Kevin Cartee One big breath. Every Camp Director knows it’s coming. Works for it. Waits for it. Longs to breathe that one breath that comes at the end of the summer camp season. It’s breathed deeply as the last campfire song of the season fades, and summer staff...
Apr 3, 2020 |
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...
Mar 29, 2020 |
By Kathy L. Dawson I’ve heard many people wondering about how much to tell children about what is currently happening in our world. My own advice, coming off my years of experience working in the childhood grief arena, is to listen to the questions that the children...
Feb 24, 2020 |
It’s that time of year again. If your email inbox is anything like mine, you’ve received lots of colourful reminders that it’s time to pick a VBS curriculum for your church. It is at once a delightful and trying exercise. How do you determine which of the many options...
Feb 25, 2019 |
What are you reading these days? Educators seem to have the most fascinating and diverse books on their nightstands and desks. The Advocate ministry team wanted to share what we are reading these days, in the hopes it might spark some new ideas for you: “Right...
