advent abundance... worship tricks 48,49,50, 51!!

well as ever people are doing wonderful things to celebrate advent.

here's a few...

1. have a look through my category advent to see things from previous years which include some wonderful prayers and reflections

2. the advent beach hut calendar is now under way - check the blog for photos. seems like the heavens were re-aligned for day one!

3. ben bell always produces a wonderful image for advent - i was half expecting him to come up with something and sure enough light of the world is simple but brilliant. contact him if you want to use it. i am making his images worship trick 48 - see mary set and card, wait

4. the church of england has  produced a creative site why are we waiting. i am not actually sure who is behind the site though it says copyright archbishops council (!) but rowan williams gives a reflection on a plasma screen over the fireplace and there is a calendar window to click on each day for a reflection to create space. you can also sign up for a daily e-mail through advent. worship trick 49

5. cheryl lawrie is prolific when it comes to advent. she makes me smile because there is a build up saying she has no ideas or energy and then wham! an overflow of liturgical and creative genius lands. i have not counted but i am sure cheryl is listed under more worship tricks than anyone else but all her new pieces which are bundled as a pregnant pause can get added as worship trick 50. the pieces are here here here here and here. i am looking forward to hearing how christmas in the basement goes which i received an invite to but sadly won't be attending!

6. advent windows is something i found via following a link from no 4 above. it is in london and is again so simple. created by st alfege in greenwich it's a community advent calendar where a literal window is opened every day. the first one was at the tourist information centre! there's a blog which will follow the windows. this is worship trick 51. i was thinking what we could do in ealing in a similar vein to the beach hut idea and hadn't thought of windows. i can see this idea taking off in lots of communities in future years. must pay it a visit. i love the way people are taking worship and the christmas story into public rather than church or private space...

7. cms produces a service share the light each year for advent. (i forgot this yesterday but it was on my list...) which has resources and stories from cms for an advent worship service

feel free to add any things you have come across in the comments...

Comments

[Sallys-Journey]

Have you come across Dave Perrys blog- he produces some amazing images: www.davesdistrictblog.blogspot.com

[cheryl]

i am, as always, honoured to be included in such company. thanks.

[jonny]

thanks sally - i'll take a look...

cheryl the honour is ours!