SPIRITUALjourneys.org.uk

The Mission Theology Advisory Group has 3 great Lent resources you can read or download for free:

Materials for church groups:

Things to do: cafe church

Cafe Church - a place for churchgoers and non-churchgoers alike. If you're a spiritual seeker who just wants to test the waters, meeting people at a cafechurch event may be an interesting experience. Here's more info from www.cafechurch.net

It's church, but not as you know it.

A mystery artist left hundreds of hand painted pebbles featuring the baby Jesus in all kinds of locations in Newquay, Cornwall, UK, in order to help people think about the true meaning of Christmas. Perhaps others could do the same? Read about it here >>

Social Liturgy -Blessing Every Day

(These are leaflets in A4 folded format (Word) intended for customising, downloading and printing. So they are best accessed from a PC and may not display accurately on Ipad and phones)

Blessing Every Day - A Prayer and Blessing during the Coronavirus epidemic (A4 folded)

Blessing Every Day - A Prayer and Blessing during the Coronavirus epidemic (screen pdf)

Blessing Every Day - A Prayer and Blessing for Thanksgiving >>

Blessing Every Day - For a Leavetaking and a Journey >>

Blessing Every Day - For Hallowe'en >>

Blessing Every Day - Prayer for Hallowe'en >>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing a Christmas Tree in church >>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing a Christmas Tree in the home >>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing on New Year's Eve >>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing a home on Epiphany (January 6th) >>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing for those whose New Year Resolutions have failed >>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing for those celebrating Chinese New Year >>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing for those celebrating Lunar New Year >>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing for Valentine's Day >>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing for Mothering Sunday >>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing for Easter >>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing for Father's Day >>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing of Backpacks for the Start of a New School Year (younger children) A4 folded >>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing of Backpacks for the Start of a New School Year (younger children) A4 >>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing of Backpacks for the Start of a New School Year (younger children) PDF >>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing of Backpacks for the Start of a New School Year (young people) A4 folded >>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing of Backpacks for the Start of a New School Year (young people) A4>>

Blessing Every Day - Blessing of Backpacks for the Start of a New School Year (young people) PDF >>

Greenbelt

Geenbelt is an arts, faith and justice festival with a long and rich history. It has been going since 1974, over 40 consecutive festivals.

The festival is all-age and multi-disciplinary in its programming. Our roots in the Christian tradition, and our approach is inclusive and wide-reaching. Greenbelt is a festival like no other – both in terms of the breadth and depth of its content and also its vibe.

The thread that has run throughout Greenbelt's journey so far – is that the arts, faith and justice make for a heady mix of creativity and challenge –and is now leading Greenbelt into new collaborations and ventures that will happen year-round and all over.

Abide

Abide is about 'ordinary people with ordinary lives, exploring and learning how to walk an extraordinary path together'

In particular you might like to look at the Five Rhythms of Grace Taken from Eugene Peterson's translation of Matthew 11.28. They are:

By God's grace, I will be open to the presence, guidance and power of the Holy Spirit;

By God's grace, I will set aside time for prayer, worship and spiritual reading;

By God's grace, I will endeavour to be a gracious presence in the world, serving others and working for justice in human relationships and social structures;

By God's grace, I will sensitively share my faith with others: participating in God's mission both locally and globally.

Find out about hallowe'en.

Advent

Join Tom Wright on a journey through Luke, as he explores the Gospel themes of encouragement, renewal, justice and celebration. Within each of these themes, Wright offers daily readings and meditations for a week, beginning with the Sunday reading in the Revised Common Lectionary, and ending with stimulating questions for personal reflection or group discussion. Distilled from selected passages in his popular For Everyone commentaries, these sparkling reflections take you on a journey of spiritual enlightenment, guiding you towards the wonder and joy of Christmas.

' He is a natural storyteller, connecting his anecdote seamlessly to a deep spirituality. He reads widely. On looking through the book, I spot Wittgenstein, Thomas Merton, Evelyn Underhill, Kingsley,… There are references to art, to hymns, and to the traditional themes of Advent (Heaven, Hell, Death, Judgment; Love, Hope, Joy, Peace;…). The book is appealingly produced. It has a number of photos, has beautiful content, and points to the exquisite Mystery of the Incarnation.'

Do you hate waiting, in a queue, in a traffic jam, or for important events?
This Advent, the waiting is made a little easier with The Children's Society online Advent calendar.
Each day, open the window to reveal the specially created content. You might find a message from Archbishop Justin Welby, or a meditation on Boticelli's The Adoration of the Kings; a reflection from an MP or a cartoon from Dave Walker; a Bible study by Chine Mbubaegbu or a freshly penned poem from Pádraig Ó Tuama.
Each day a different approach will lead you gently through the wait so that in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the season, you will find a moment of stillness to pray, to reflect, to laugh or to think. The all-too-real experience of poverty or neglect of too many children in this country today is set alongside your journey to the manger. Come let us adore him. www.childrenssociety.org.uk/advent.

Advent Calendars:

ideas for online calendars, making your own and creating calendars with children

do...

LENT resources