Small Church Voices Newsletter

From the Iona Collaborative

As we prepare our hearts and our tables this week—gathering with friends, family, and loved ones—the Iona Collaborative team is especially grateful for you: the small church leaders and congregations who embody faithful, local ministry day after day.

As a sign of that gratitude, this month’s issue of Small Church Voices offers a true “Cornucopia of Resources” for Advent and Christmas. You’ll find ideas, opportunities, and practical tools for you, your families, and communities. We know this season can feel full to the brim, and we hope these offerings help you breathe a little easier, dream a little bigger, and step into the coming weeks with joy.

Christina C. Gordon

Communications Manager, Iona Collaborative

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Featured Resources

Advent & Christmas Resources

from The Episcopal Church

This excellent and extensive list of Advent and Christmas resources from The Episcopal Church includes everything from artwork for Advent and Christmas worship collects to a customizable video for your church's use; from lesson plans and devotions for the season to an Advent toolkit from our friends at Episcopal Relief and Development...and more! Take one item off your to-do list this season and use one of these shared resources.

Click Here to Learn More!

Advent Meditations & Prayers

from Seminary of the Southwest

Our colleagues at Seminary of the Southwest have produced this beautiful online series of Advent meditations and prayers with the help of SSW faculty, staff, alumni, and friends. Use these in personal or group reflection. You are invited to share these with friends and family.

Offered in both English & Spanish.

La Ventana Podcast

from the Diocese of West Texas

Advent: Stories of Movement and Migration is a new podcast series from the Diocese of West Texas. Each of the 6 episodes features stories and theological reflections from DWTX Episcopalians covering Christ the King Sunday through Epiphany.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

A Feral Incarnation:

Rewilding Incarnation in Advent

from Center for Deep Green Faith

Center for Deep Green Faith is offering this online webinar on Wednesday evening, December 3, with Dr. Mark S. Medley, Academic Dean & Professor of Theology at BSK Theological Seminary. What would it mean to talk about incarnation as feral? How can a feral incarnality help us imagine and perhaps live a more incarnate wild-holiness on earth? Explore these questions and others as ways to move toward an earth-centric theological framing of the incarnation. Click the image for more information.

Advent Playlist

from Art and Theology.org

We love the Art and Theology blog from Victoria Emily Jones all year long! Still, this curated playlist of musical selections, from Classic to Contemporary and beyond, is a wonder-filled way to nurture your spirit in this season of waiting.

Click the image for the Spotify playlist, and check out the Advent and Christmastide email series, which includes a "pairing of art and music" delivered daily to your inbox.

Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Guide

Sally Lloyd-Jones, author of The Jesus Storybook Bible, and publishing house Zonderkidz have made this year's Advent Guide for Families available online for free through FaithGateway. Sign up on the website to download a printable version of the guide, which includes scripture tie-ins, coloring sheets, ornament crafts, snack ideas, and more.

Click the image to learn more.

Iona News

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Christmas: Small Church Style

How does your congregation honor the Christmas season?
Share your church's practices with us, and we'll highlight your traditions in the December Small Church Voices.

Send images and descriptions by 12/15 to: Christina Gordon

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