The pandemic has cast a long shadow over everyone’s lives and as we look ahead to Advent and Christmas, we know things will be very different this year.
Gatherings are likely to be smaller, services will be shared online, and we are much more likely to be at home.
The Christmas message of hope, of Christ born in Bethlehem to bring light into the world, to save us, and to be a beacon of hope, is therefore even more vital.
As a Diocese, we will be supporting the national church’s #ComfortandJoy campaign, which through a variety materials, will invite us to take comfort from knowing that God is with us, and where it occurs, allowing ourselves to be surprised by moments of joy.
We would encourage churches to engage with the campaign by:
- Adding online and in person services and events to AChurchNearYou.com – which has already received more than 40 million page views this year and so is a vital resource.
- Using the free Advent and Christmas music available through the AChurcNearYou.com Resource Hub intranet.
- Downloading the free resources and generating customisable videos to promote local activities.
- Accessing printed material available through the Church House Online shop, including reflection booklets.
Local content
We know that churches are under huge strain and so as well as the above, we plan to offer our own complementary local content to tie in with #ComfortandJoy, that churches can download, input into their services, or use in their social media channels as they see fit.
- At Home in Advent – As we wait and watch for Christmas, we will share a series of weekly video reflections from Canon Gordon Giles, Canon Chancellor at Rochester Cathedral. Inspired by his new book, At Home in Advent, he will take us on a spiritual journey through the season of Advent, with the help of a selection of comfortingly familiar domestic objects and activities.
There will be accompanying prayers and reflective questions too.
“Advent 2020 may turn out to be a journey of watching and waiting in unexpected ways. Gordon Giles’ timely reflections help turn these unexpected times into renewed expectation of the living God.” (Bishop James)
Available from the Bible Reading Fellowship here, At Home in Advent includes group discussion questions and prayers for those who might like to use it as a shared activity online or where possible, and safe to do so, in person.
- Beacons of Hope – Through their presence, creativity and outreach, churches throughout the Diocese have been a ‘light in the darkness’ throughout the pandemic, bringing comfort and joy to people and their communities.
We’ll be sharing stories to inspire, bring comfort and make visible the church as a beacon of hope.
Look out for more details of when these will be available in the coming weeks.
Get in touch
If you would like to share with us how you will be doing Advent and Christmas differently this year, or if you would like to let us know how your church has been offering comfort and joy throughout this time, please email: communications@rochester.anglican.org