Church Urban Fund
The Church Urban Fund has produced resources for reflection during the Advent season that focus on the financial pressure many feel under in getting ready for Christmas. This short term pressure often leads to long term despair for the poorest in our society.
Archbishop Justin has advocated strongly against exploitative pay day loans and, of course, it is Christmas time when people feel the most financial pressure. Our Advent Resources help individuals and churches to engage with these issues.
We have produced a free online Advent Calendar with short videos, reflections and prayer for each day of Advent. You can explore Days 1 and 2 by clicking on the doors with photos. You may like to forward this link to friends and family or other members of your church.
We can send daily reminders and a link for the calendar if you register here.
Advent Wrapped Up!
Advent and Christmas can provide an ideal opportunity to engage in mission and outreach activities that will make connections with the local community. There is a feeling of expectation in the air; people may be wondering what it is all really about and asking if there is something beyond the stress, expense and expectations of others that Christmas has become associated with.
Or it may be that you are involved in planning church services and events that reflect what is special about this time of year and what we are celebrating. If so, ideas to help with this would surely be welcomed!
Whatever your need, whether for ideas to use in your community, resources to use in church, gifts for others, or Advent readings for yourself and your church, BRF has drawn together a range of suggestions that will help you to share the real meaning of Christmas in your churches and communities.
More information is available to download here.