You have all worked so hard preparing special Advent rituals for your children and their families in your church, I don't want you to forget about yourself! #pictureAdvent was created by the Rio Valley and Michigan UMC Conferences. It is a simple daily Advent devotional sent to your email. Just go to the website and register your email. Each day you will be sent a devotional that takes about 5 minutes or less to read and pray. I encourage you all to take a few minutes for your spiritual walk this Advent as it is easy to get caught up in caring for everyone else in your ministry.
Do you have parents asking how to let their young children have the joy of Santa while still keeping the season's focus on Jesus?
Santa's Favorite Story has Santa telling the story of Jesus' birth and keeping the focus on the greatest gift that each Christmas day brings: LOVE!

You may want to use this in a lesson. Share it on your social media with parents. Or just give it as gift to a family you know would appreciate the book.
Matthew Turner has wonderful books and he just released The Colors of Christmas! I love it! I especially love that he places a brown skinned, brown eyed Jewish baby Jesus in the manger!
Don't Forget to Plan for Epiphany
Jan. 6, 2021!
BUY ONE GET ONE 1/2 Off
for BEYOND Conference Registration!
November 30- December 6 you can register yourself and then someone from your Children's Ministry team for $5! You can only do it once! But if you pass the code to other members of your ministry team, they can enjoy the discount as well.

If you can promote this to your people and get them registered in early part of December, it really helps me be a good steward of our materials. I purchase the books and materials in December in order to box them up and get them in the mail to you by Jan. 15!

Promo Code is:
BOGO1/2

This code is only good until December 6, 2020.
Please NOTE DATE Change!
Director Kayla Hartledge had to move the Confirmation Retreat date back based on the Bishop's Task Force recommendation of no overnight retreats until April.

Please also note that it will be a one day event for you to bring your kids. Times will be posted as it gets closer. Kayla will squeeze a weekend retreat of learning into one day with a rotation schedule and mostly outdoor learning.
Dates to remember:
  • Beyond 2021 Jan.22 & 21
  • Quest September 25,2021