Our Mission: Supporting lifelong faith formation in the home and congregation |
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Lord of creation,
The earth is full of color and glory as we experience
the fall season. As this season moves to the next, help us to pause and celebrate the signs of change all around us. Help us to breathe in the crisp air, the changing earth, and your presence.
Remind us, Lord, to take time to be still and to be silent, to allow you to fill us up with your deep peace and love. As we empower others to grow in their faith,
may our faith be renewed by the changes in creation. May we reclaim each season that which is already true: We are loved and strengthened by You.
We give you thanks for your abundant love.
Amen
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President's Message
Dear Friends in Christ,
On October 1, 2019, I began a new call to a small congregation in a village of 1100 in rural Ohio. As we were getting to know one another, we were doing good to resume the “normal” ministries of Sunday School, Bible Study, and Confirmation. I was building trust so I could begin trying new things. Less than 6 months later, COVID struck.
During this time of COVID, I have been trying a lot of new things that, a year ago, would have been way outside my comfort zone. One of those things is Facebook Live. Now, every Tuesday and Thursday morning I offer some thoughts for the day.
As we look forward to Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas, things will look very different. We will need to try new things. Sometimes we just need to bounce ideas to find something that excites us.
In Philippians 4, we read Paul’s encouragement… 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
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Resources for Advent, Christmas and
Stewardship for the Family
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Candlewalk: An Interactive Evening Prayer Practice
This book is an engaging and interactive family activity. You will find:
- Suggestions for creating prayerful space (including while gathering online)
- A thirty-minute outline for this interactive evening prayer practice
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A sharable script for telling the story and leading art response
During the COVID19 pandemic, Candlewalk can be used to offer an interactive evening prayer time for families via Zoom. This method of reading Candlewalk could also be used at home or during in person church gatherings.
Families Celebrate Advent and Christmas
Families Celebrate Advent & Christmas is a colorful deck of cards that is full of rituals, prayers and reflections. Endlessly flexible for busy schedules, you can create a new after-meal ritual, use them as decorations, or carry them on the go. Explore the entire season from Advent to Christmas through Epiphany. These make a great gift for families in your congregation!
Advent in a Box
Advent in a Box explores the wonder and mystery of the Christmas Story through a collection of items in a box, including an Advent calendar, Advent wreath, tea light candles, bookmarks and other objects that help tell the story. The box can be used for at home worship and devotions and is geared for elementary school children.
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Title: Jesus' Family Tree: Praying Through Advent with the Jesse Tree
Author: Stephanie Hovland
Author Stephenie Hovland traces the Jesse Tree’s branches all the way back to the garden of Eden. In those branches, children discover familiar names like David and Ruth, Abraham and Jacob each day of Advent. They also find that when God sent Jesus to be a child in Bethlehem, we were made a part of the great, growing family tree, too. With scripture, storytelling and prayer for each day, this devotional booklet gives children perspective on the very long story leading to the promised birth of our Savior.
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Christian Education Network of the ELCA |
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Check out our Facebook group and
join the conversations!
Check out our latest Pinterest boards!
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Building a community which equips, encourages and empowers those engaged in lifelong faith formation in a changing world, the CENetwork will:
- Identify and evaluate resources and educational opportunities
- Facilitate communication and conversations
- Offer guidance, networking and mutual support
- Nurture spiritual growth online and face-to-face
How You Can Support the Christian Education Network
You can become a member or make a one-time donation via PayPal on our website; or, you can purchase from AmazonSmile and diesignate The Christian Education Network as your charity. We receive a percentage of the proceeds!
Contact Us
CENetwork of the ELCA
P.O. Box 9304
Rochester, MN 55903
Phone messages may be left aft (507) 721-0057
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