Advent: Taking it to the streets(But let’s wait until December…)Posted Nov 30, 2012 |
“Recognizing that the USA today includes more than one cultural narrative, are you doing anything to counter this ‘us vs. them’ sensibility during Advent and Christmas?”
Earlier in the week, I posed a similar question on Facebook:
“Our church brings ashes to the street on Ash Wednesday; how might we bring Advent to the streets during this hectic season? The ECFVP team talked about this last week; Episcopal Café notes that others are also asking this same question. What are you ideas for connecting people with their faith outsider of our walls?”
Here’s a sampling of responses:
“How about low cost Advent Calendars with a little service schedule at the bottom or on the back.”
“I like William’s idea. The Advent “Calendar” could be something as simple as this list we made for Pre-Schoolers:
- Call a friend or family member that you have not talked with in awhile
- 1st Sunday HOPE Candle. Be thankful!
- Meet someone for lunch or have a play date
- Take food to a Food Bank
- Let someone in line get in front of you
- Clean out and donate to Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, etc
- Make a homemade gift for someone
- Put change in the Salvation Army pot
- 2nd Sunday JOY Candle. Smile!
- Visit nursing home or a shut in or an older neighbor
- Drop off a new toy at Toys for Tots
- Make a card for someone
- Take a ‘like new’ or gently used toy to the Tileston Clinic
- Be nice to someone you do not like, or pray for them!
- Bake and share with neighbors
- 3rd Sunday PEACE Candle. Be Grateful
- Practice less complaining
- Pick up litter
- Forgive someone
- Give compliments…make them sincere
- Tell a friend “Thank You” for their friendship !
- Say something nice. . . with enthusiasm . . . to others
- 4th Sunday LOVE Candle. Hug your friends
- Be kind to others…ALL DAY !
- Christmas Day ! CHRIST Candle. Wish everyone “MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!””
“The Anglican Cathedral in Toronto created a quiet space in their underground shopping mall last year.”
“I have an idea – just like kids go to Santa to ask for what they (think they) want — set up prayer stations, outside of churches or even wherever there are shoppers, so they can take a break and pray with others for what they REALLY want – for love, for healing, for hope, for health … for grownups and teens and kids too … offer coffee/tea/cocoa – and prayer! You can call it something like, “What do you REALLY want this Christmas?”
What are your ideas for bringing Advent to the streets in your community?
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