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Advent, Christingle and Christmas
Events, links and resources for 2020.
= latest updates
Our official diocesan Advent calendar is live -
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Sent to Grapevine and Working Together recipients and those opting in, starting 1st December.
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For Advent and Christmas, use:
#dosaladvent
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#dosalchristmas
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and #comfortandjoy
For Christingle, use
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Preparing for Advent and Christmas 2020
This year has thrown up significant challenges and you may be wondering how churches are going to celebrate with all the current restrictions in place. This page has been designed to offer ideas and inspiration as to what your church can offer.
We would love to add your ideas onto the page, so do email us with your ideas.
Resources and campaigns for Christingle, Advent and Christmas
Comfort and Joy
This theme has been developed by the Church of England to reflect where the country is and will be by the end of the year. The resources that will be available include:
- Short reflections from public figures
- An accompanying booklet
- Reflections by email with prayer activities for children
- Youth reflections
- Online weekly services
- Music that can be used in online and in person services
Christingle
Are you wondering how your church can offer Christingle this year? Visit this page for lots of ideas, and click here for Messy Christingle resources.
There will be a National Christingle Service, with HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, the Bishop of Derby Libby Lane, soprano singer Joanna Forest, and young people lighting the Christingles. Trailer here; poster here. Bishop Nicholas' invitation is here.
Our Board of Education has additional 'Faith at Home' resources for you here.
Looking to fundraise? There are Children's Society ideas here.
Advent and Christmas
Advent Online is an incredible library of resources for churches and individual Christians, reaching out right across the world. Over 3,000 global Christians have shared their resources, gifts, skills and ideas to plan services and outreach during the Advent and Christmas season.
There are free to use Christmas carols and hymns on the A Church Near You website.
The Hope of Christmas is a lovely two-part new nativity story video with an accompanying All Age service plan and activities for schools and churches. It has been created by St Albans Diocese and Soul Survivor but is free for anyone to use.
Written by Bible Society's Dai Woolridge, ‘A Christ-mess story’ is a down-to-earth book which unwraps the good news of Christmas through poetry, playfulness, honesty and humour. A gift for adults and young adults alike, pointing you to the one born in the mess, for our mess. Info here.
Exeter Diocese has put together a brilliant guide for schools or families at home, packed full of craft ideas, recipes, nativities to watch and even Christmas Carols to learn to sign! Download the guide here.
Events
South West Carols! A Spectacular Online Festive Experience
5th & 6th December at 7.00pm
Celebrate with people all over the South West tuning in from their home for a festive online production featuring traditional carols, creative musical items, a nativity produced by children across the region, items to make you laugh out loud, interviews and stories, fun and engaging audience interaction points, and more. Acts booked so far include:
- London Community Gospel Choir
- Wildwood Kin
- Joe Hardy & South West Musicians
- Lucy Grimble
We all know that 2020 has been an interesting year, but Christmas is NOT cancelled. The first-ever South West Carols event will celebrate all the good things about this time of the year as we remember the 'reason for the season'. Invite your friends and family!
Watch live or find out more here
There will be a National Christingle Service on Sunday 13th December.
On Facebook and YouTube. Join in the celebrations, and help raise money and awareness; our children need a safety net!
Trailer here; poster here. Bishop Nicholas' invitation is here.
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