Advent Greetings — "Let's make room in our hearts for Christ"

Dear sisters and brothers, as we enter the sacred season of Advent, we are reminded that God steps into this world not in moments of perfection, but in times of deep longing, disruption and need. Advent calls us to look for Christ's coming light precisely in the places where darkness feels strongest. Today, our world is marked by conflict, displacement and deep polarization. Many are displaced from their homes. Women and children in war zones face unthinkable trauma, family scary grief that words cannot express. And yet, Advent proclaims a truth that cannot be shaken.   God has not forgotten His people. He has not withdrawn. He has not left us.   Christ comes to us as Immanuel, God with us, bringing His presence into every place of suffering and every story of heartbreak. As the Women's Commission, we hear this call very deeply. Advent compels us to make room in our hearts and in our actions for those who are hurting. Incarnation is not only a miracle to celebrate, it is a model to imitate. This season, may we show practical and courageous love. May we stand with the displaced and offer welcome. May you have a joyous Christmas and happy New Year. God bless you all. In Christ, Dr. Seble Daniel, Director, WEA Women’s Commission World Evangelical Alliance Over two billion Christians in the world today are represented by three world church bodies. The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is one of those, serving more than 650 million evangelicals belonging to churches that are part of 161 national Evangelical Alliances in 9 regions. Launched in London in 1846, the WEA unites evangelicals across denominations for prayer, evangelism, mission, theological education, religious freedom, human rights advocacy, relief, and engagement in a wide range of social issues. It speaks with one voice to United Nations, governments, and media in public or through behind-the-scenes diplomacy on issues of common concern to the Church. For more information, visit worldea.org WEA has been a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability since 1980. WEA is audited annually by an independent public accounting firm. WEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In the United States, your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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New Video – Prepare the Way

New Video – Prepare the Way In Isaiah 40, the prophet asks those listening to do a very simple task with major implications: prepare the way. Isaiah is not asking those listening to prepare the way for themselves; rather, our call is to prepare the way for the very real presence of God.    Every year the Christmas Joy Offering prepares the way to bring hope through leadership development, education and critical financial assistance. In this Season of Advent, we have created a short video you can show your congregation that shares the impact of generous gifts to the Offering. Paired with our other resources, this video can be a helpful tool to share the gospel of peacemaking! DOWNLOAD THE VIDEO FROM VIMEO Looking for additional resources? View our whole collection. VIEW ALL RESOURCES Thank you for your generous support of Special Offerings. If you have any questions, reply to this email or call 800-728-7228, Ext. 5047.

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Christmas Joy Offering Resources

Let’s prepare the way for the Christmas Joy Offering. We have a great slate of resources to meet your congregation’s unique needs as you prepare for this Advent season. Why wait? A variety of resources are available to download now. Leader's Guide Our comprehensive Leader’s Guide makes it easy and convenient for you to participate in this Offering, even if it is your first time. Included in this guide are Minutes for Mission, a Christmas Eve litany and many others. DOWNLOAD THE LEADER'S GUIDE Media Tool Kit Create your own custom images, announcements, e-newsletters and more using the images found in our media tool kit. This allows you to make sure everything is the right size for whatever you create to interpret and promote the Christmas Joy Offering. DOWNLOAD MEDIA TOOL KIT Social Media Images We have ready-made social media images with all of the information you need about the Christmas Joy Offering. This makes planning what to post easy. DOWNLOAD SOCIAL MEDIA IMAGES Powerpoint Slides Share information about Christmas Joy at your next session or committee meeting or even as part of worship with our premade and customizable PowerPoint slides. Use these slides as is or create your own using our provided backgrounds. DOWNLOAD POWERPOINT SLIDES Children's Activities Christmas is always a special time for children, and it’s even more special when they learn about the true meaning of giving. Use these activities to help fuel a faith to last a lifetime. DOWNLOAD CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES Still need more resources? View our whole collection. VIEW ALL RESOURCES Thank you for your support of our leaders — past, present and future — through the Christmas Joy Offering. If you have any questions, reply to this email or call 800-728-7228, Ext. 5047.

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Advent Unwrapped: Fresh Resources to Strengthen Your Advent Invitation!🎄

Preaching to the Choir

[Credit: KPop Demon Hunters (2025). Netflix/Sony Pictures Animation] A blessed All Saints and Happy Halloween to you all (when it comes). I am calling it, the number one Halloween Costume this year will be anyone from K-Pop Demon Hunters, and rightly so, the movie about a demon hunting K-Pop girl band HUNTR/X who publicly fights and competes with the demon boy band the Saja Boys is catchy and sensical; what better way to fight demons than with the power of song! (Please note, I am speaking metaphorically.) “Your Idol” by the Saja Boys has been on repeat in my house. I was not prepared, but am grateful, for the theological conversations it has provoked!! With lines like “preaching to the choir, can I get the mic a little higher”, “you gave me your heart, now I’m here for your soul.” And “thank-you for the pain ‘cuz it got me going viral.” The parallels are pretty on point. Every time I hear the song (which is multiple times a day), I hear alongside it the words of Jesus: “no one can serve two masters…” (Matthew 6:24). The Saja Boys present us with the choice that is before each follower of Christ every day: will we choose community over capitalism, hope over fear, hate over love. And with the amount of pain and chaos going on around us the false idols that the Saja Boys represent are easy to get sucked into; they are so catchy that we hardly notice the choir is singing about damnation! The Saja Boys don’t start out looking like this. Most false idols start out looking refreshing, like a cold soda pop on a hot day (or a hot cider on a cold day). As we prepare to invite people into the irresistible story of Christmas, what false idols are we competing with? How do we have conversations with those we love about the choices and the risks that we make because of our faith?   As we wait and as we resist here are some fresh resources to help. For Everyone This month join me in a conversation with Tori Mullen and Scott Reynolds about sharing our faith with others. You can also learn more about strengthening your invitation during Advent with this resource. For Worship Leaders A new set of worship services with prayers, candle lighting liturgies and sermon ideas can be found on the Advent Unwrapped webpage. This is always a great time to reflect on how we can be anti-racist in our worship. For some notes on Anti-Racism in our worship check-out this blog on speaking about darkness in advent and for some reflections on Antisemiticism here is a blog and a webinar, and this webinar from 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism. For Musicians Pull out that Christmas music! Tammy-Jo shares some helpful tips here on getting ready for the season. Lisa Waites provided us two music packages last year, and check out this "What will we sing when we sing a new song" webinar. Don’t forget our Advent Music playlist.   Next month, we will be back with some more resources, including a longest night service, our 2025 advent calendar, conversations on how to celebrate advent and Christmas with young children, and a new video on the prophet Isaiah. If someone has shared this email with you (thanks!) you can subscribe to this newsletter. If you have any ideas or suggestions for Advent Unwrapped, please join the conversation on social media or send us an email at worship@united-church.ca Waiting (and resisting) with you, Alydia   Facebook Website Email Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Your generosity enables the United Church to love, serve, and minister in the world. Make an online donation or learn more about your options to support the work of the church.

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