Category Archives: Parish Traditions

2013 Back to School Prayer Vigil

Posted on August 10, 2013 by browniesmoke

Every church seems to have their own spin on Back to School. We have a Back to School Prayer Vigil the Sunday before school starts. This year our county schools start on August 19; we’ll have our prayer vigil on … Continue reading →

Posted in Back to School, Daughters of the King, Parish Traditions | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Pentecost 2013: The Holy Spirit!

Posted on July 26, 2013 by browniesmoke

My co-chairman for Sunday School events and I are an ESTJ and an ISTJ (Myers-Briggs). When we plan for our annual Sunday School Recognition each May to close out the Sunday School year, we start planning in May of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Feasts, Food, Parish Traditions, Pentecost, Seasons of the Church Year | 4 Comments

Planning for Advent 2012

Posted on November 15, 2012 by browniesmoke

What’s up at our place for Advent 2012? We’re traveling new paths to Bethlehem this year! Our young parents have asked, and we’re trying some new things. Some things will remain the same. As we did last year, we bought … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Lectionary, Parish Traditions, Seasons of the Church Year | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Stations of the Cross for Children

Posted on October 22, 2012 by browniesmoke

When I reported here on our first go at doing a Stations of the Cross for our Godly Play children (ages 4 through 5th grade), several people asked me where they could find the “script” that she used. Diane, our … Continue reading →

Posted in Finding Stories Outside the Classroom, Lent, Parish Traditions, Seasons of the Church Year, Stations of the Cross | Tagged , | Leave a comment

“Blowing Up” Pentecost

Posted on June 12, 2012 by browniesmoke

It is our parish tradition to hold “Sunday School Recognition” on the last day of Sunday School in May (we resume – or begin a new “year” the first Sunday after Labor Day in September in the US). We encourage … Continue reading →

Posted in Feasts, Godly Play, Godly Play Story Materials, Parish Traditions, Pentecost, Seasons of the Church Year | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Advent Workshop 2011 – The Advent Wreath (epilogue)

Posted on January 19, 2012 by browniesmoke

(For the rest of the story, see here, here, and here.) A few people weren’t able to be at the workshop but had helped immensely with the process during the planning stages. As a thank you, I spent a bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Crafts, Parish Traditions, Seasons of the Church Year | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

How We Tell the Advent Stories

Posted on December 5, 2011 by browniesmoke

Ever since my oldest (23) was a first grader, we’ve been using the same traditional Christmas Pageant at our church. Our pageant usually takes place in lieu of the 9:00 a.m. service on the 4th Sunday of Advent. The 1st … Continue reading →

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Advent Workshop 2011 – The Advent Wreath (Part III)

Posted on December 1, 2011 by browniesmoke

[For the backstory on this event, please see Advent Workshop 2011 – The Advent Wreath (Part 1) and Advent Workshop 2011 – The Advent Wreath (Part II).] The day finally arrived! I never sleep well when I’m heading up an … Continue reading →

Posted in Godly Play, Parish Traditions, Seasons of the Church Year | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Advent Workshop 2011 – The Advent Wreath (Part 2)

Posted on November 28, 2011 by browniesmoke

[See “Advent Workshop 2011 – The Advent Wreath (Part 1)” for the backstory on this project.] Our Advent Workshop is about 48 hours away, and I have been over at the church tonight setting out materials and considering flow. I never … Continue reading →

Posted in Crafts, Parish Traditions, Seasons of the Church Year | 4 Comments

Advent Workshop 2011 – The Advent Wreath (Part 1)

Posted on October 25, 2011 by browniesmoke

On November 30, 2011, we’ll have a simple meal in our parish hall for anyone who signs up (usually about 45-60 people). As the adults clear the family-style meal, the children will gather at prepared tables for the Advent Workshop … Continue reading →

Posted in Crafts, Parish Traditions, Seasons of the Church Year | Tagged , | 8 Comments