2023 Resources
2022 Resources
Systemic Racism: When an Individual’s Words Illuminate the Space in Which They’re Said
Dr. Allyson Carr, Associate Secretary of Justice Ministries, has written on the death of Joyce Echaquan, an Indigenous woman in a hospital in Quebec, and the racist words that were spoken to her by the hospital workers she was in the care of—words which illuminate the unacceptable and condemnable behaviour that is often permitted in our society as a result of systemic racism.
Every Child Matters: Reflecting and Praying on Orange Shirt Day, September 30
This reflection by the moderator speaks to the importance of participating in Orange Shirt Day on September 30 to remember and honour the Indigenous children who attended Indian Residential Schools, and reflects on the PCC’s involvement in the Residential School System and its inter-generational impacts on Indigenous children today.
Why Work To Decolonize: New Study Guide from Justice Ministries
Why Work To Decolonize? is a study resource produced in collaboration between the PCC’s National Indigenous Ministries Council and the Life and Mission Agency (Justice Ministries) that engages the overall themes of the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Statement Regarding Violence and Encounters Between Indigenous People and Policing Agencies
Following the recent deaths of Indigenous people during encounters with law enforcement, the PCC calls for an immediate end to violence against Indigenous Peoples.
Resources
Sing a New Song: 2023 Advent Devotional
Join us on a five-week Advent journey: open to disruptions, willing to wait in silence, finding God in the ordinary, and understanding that waiting has value as we prepare to sing a new song at Christmas. The devotional can be used in creative ways: in part or whole, each week or just one. You can invite your family, gather with your small group at church or create an Advent study group to discuss and practice it together. This may also be a great opportunity to share it with a neighbour, friend or co-worker as a part of an invitation to Christmas service at your church. The devotional can be tailored as appropriate for families with very young children.
God is in the Manger: 2023 Advent Study
This study guide, part of the Presbyterians Read series, is designed to accompany the reading of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Advent meditations, God is in the Manger. The guide includes suggested spiritual practices and discussion questions to encourage you to engage in Bonhoeffer’s reflections more deeply.
Advent Liturgies (PWS&D)
Celebrate the birth of Christ with Advent 2023 liturgies produced by Presbyterian World Service & Development. Even in the face of poverty, injustice and disaster, hope, love, peace and joy find a way.
This Advent, Create a Giving Tree!
Advent is a time to celebrate God’s great gift of love by sharing gifts with others.
This Advent, begin or continue a Giving Tree tradition. By hanging ornaments on a giving tree you can celebrate the gifts to Gifts of Change that your congregation is sharing at Christmas in a very real way. Be creative and do what works for your congregation!
Journey to Christmas: 2022 Advent Devotional
A Journey to Christmas explores the stories of Zechariah, Mary, Elizabeth, John, Joseph and the shepherds as they are given the good news of Jesus’ coming and as they experience the miracle of his birth. This devotional booklet includes prayers, reflections and activities for each week of Advent to help families and individuals prepare for Christmas.
Bringing Light into the Darkness: Making Advent Candles at Home
The season of Advent invites us to turn our attention to the light of Christ breaking through in even the most difficult situations in our lives and in the world. One way that we can do this is by engaging in faith traditions that create space for Christ’s light to fill hearts and our homes. Evangeline Keeley, a member of Prairie Presbyterian Church, suggests making beeswax Advent candles as a way of practicing a tradition.
Faith Formation Through Advent Calendars
An Advent calendar resource designed to help Christians prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth through biblical reflection, spiritual practices and everyday faith in action.
Advent Worship Service: Songs of Resistance and Hope
An Advent worship service courtesy of the Women’s Missionary Society.
Longest Night Service: Blue Christmas
During Advent, many churches hold a worship service for those who find Christmas a sad, complicated and difficult time. The Blue Christmas/Longest Night service focuses on Christ overcoming the darkness of loss, suffering and loneliness.
Advent Wreath and Liturgies
An introduction to the Advent wreath, along with some liturgies to use when lighting the Advent candles.
How to Make an Advent Wreath
A video produced by Dr. Tori Smit, Regional Minister for Faith Formation for the Synod of Central, Northeastern Ontario and Bermuda, on how to make an Advent wreath for your home.
Getting Ready for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany
This resource contains a variety of suggestions to help congregations plan for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany.
Travelling Mary and Joseph: An Advent Activity for the Whole Congregation
A resource created by the Rev. Charmila Ireland that provides steps to celebrate “Los Posadas” in congregations and with families.
Ways to Celebrate Advent at Home
In Advent, as the days become shorter and more of our time is spent inside, we are given the opportunity to create traditions that help us experience Christ’s light and love. This resource provides an introduction to Advent traditions that are easy to implement at home and add to the warmth and excitement of the season.
Walk to Bethlehem: An Advent Pilgrimage
Mary and Joseph walked from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born in a manger. This Advent activity invites you to join this journey towards Christmas.
Sample Sermons for Advent:
The Light Shines in the Darkness
A worship service for Christmas Eve/Day.
Family-Friendly Christmas Eve Worship
A welcoming and family-friendly worship service meant to accommodate the high energy and joyful excitement of children on Christmas Eve.
The Christmas Story According to The Four Gospels – A Congregational Worship Event
Similar to the format of a traditional Christmas pageant, the congregational worship event outlined in this resource involves a four-scene drama of the Christmas Story, retold through multiple lenses in the gospels.
The Jesse Tree/The Christmas Tree
This resource provides an overview of the Jesse Tree and the Christmas Tree, special trees that give the Advent and Christmas season beauty and meaning.
God’s Great Idea
A Christmas video by St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Stittsville, Ontario. (Text by Dr. Laura Alary; Stop-motion animation by Thomas Duncan)
The Twelve Days of Christmas
A theological and historical exploration of the familiar and beloved Christmas carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”