Kick off Celebration Sunday now

Every autumn there is an air of expectancy, enthusiasm and excitement within the Christian education ministry of most congregations! Celebration Sunday can be an occasion to capture and build on that new beginning and new life.

On Celebration Sunday, special emphasis is placed on inviting new persons, going to new classrooms, meeting new teachers and making new friends. This is a great opportunity to get the entire Church School together as a vivid witness to the congregation's support of the Christian education ministry.

For the worship service that Sunday, it is a great idea to make plans for a special emphasis on Christian education. During this time a church can install or dedicate teachers and other leaders who are part of the Christian education ministry of the church. The names of these leaders can be listed in the worship bulletin. They can even be presented with ribbons or flowers from the church as a sign of their value in the congregation, and the church can hold a reception in their honor.
Celebration Sunday is one way to affirm that the congregation loves, supports and appreciates its teachers, students, parents and volunteers within the Christian education ministry.

Special ideas to help kick off Celebration Sunday

Have people make festive symbols of ways they are involved in the educational ministry of the church. During worship have people hang their symbols on a paper tree.

• Sing such hymns as "I Love to Tell the Story" and "Tell me the stories of Jesus."

• Ask worshippers to write notes of thanks or encouragement to the congregation's teachers and leaders. Place these notes in the offering plate. Mail them to the teachers and leaders.

• Put the names of teachers or leaders on several leaf-shaped pieces of paper. Put them on a paper tree. Ask each worshipper to take one leaf and pray for that teacher or leader throughout the year.

• Put a picture (enlarged) of teachers on the bulletin board with a "thought balloon" (a "thought balloon" is that shape above a cartoon figure's head that contains the dialogue) above each head. In the thought balloon write a quote from each teacher about the importance of Christian education.

• Present Bibles to students who do not yet have Bibles.

• Make the classrooms look attractive and inviting. Display flowers, balloons, and streamers. Have an Open House, invite the congregation.

• Create an attractive bulletin board that is dedicated to Christian education; change the information on this board monthly.

For more information on Celebration Sunday, please contact the Rev. Billye P. Bridges, Director of Christian Education, DHM, (317) 713-2634 or William Culp, Administrative Assistant, DHM, (317) 713-2639.

Registrations for the Mix in '06 Women's Event pour in! Register today!

Women of all ages from across the church are excited about coming to downtown Indianapolis June 21 to 25, 2006, to celebrate their faith and discover their dreams. On July 1, women began to sign up online and at the General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Many more registered at the General Assembly of the Christian Church in Portland, OR. You can too!
There are at least three good reasons to register now:

1. Pay for your registration in '05 and the rest of your Mix expenses in '06;

2. Increase your chances of staying at the hotel of your choice;

3. Lead the way for others to catch the spirit and come to Mix in '06.

UCC and Disciples musicmakers featured on Mix in '06 CD

Women will sing and dance their way to the Mix in '06 Women's Event, June 21 to 25, 2006, to music written for and related to the theme "Dream On, Sisters!" The Mix in '06 CD is dedicated to the musicians of our churches.

Sixteen Disciples and UCC musicians are featured on the new Musical Mix CD, including Laura Hall, Andra Moran, Bryan Sirchio, David Edwards, Laura Biddle, George Etheridge, Joe Johnson, Judy Rose, Linda George, DeAnna Osborne, Sherry K, Barbara Hamm, Diana Tyler, Mary Anne Parrott, Judy Dyer and Michael Carlson. Carrie Newcomer, a Quaker and nationally known folksinger, also appears with her song "The Gathering of Spirits."

Sheet music packets containing 14 of the songs and devotional booklets are also available. The packet comes with permission to copy the music for use with choirs, soloists and congregational/group singing.

To learn more about the musicians and how to purchase the music, contact Beverly Ledwon.

Celebration honors secretaries and administrative professionals

They answer the phones, prepare the bulletins, keep track of important resources, support the staff and volunteers, and keep the community accessible and organized. These Very Important People, church secretaries and administrative professionals, will be honored during the Mix in '06 event and those who are able to attend will be celebrated in person.

The Mix in '06 is a time for you, or the Disciples Women of your church, to shine! Following, you will find opportunities that will give you a chance to share ministries, art and ideas with 5000 United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ Women.

Women's Ministries Showcase

This will be a time to share the successes of your Women's Ministries. Display what your congregations are doing that is working. This may include fellowship, study, service and worship. Do you have a group of young women who have designed a program that works for their busy working schedules? This is the place to share those ideas. Are you doing a food pantry ministry that aligns with Bread and Letters together? We want to hear about it. Do you have a group that selects and reads a book and later has discussions that increase personal spiritual awareness? This would be the place to share how you do it. The Women's Ministries Showcase is scheduled for Friday afternoon at the Mix. We want to see you there!

Bizarre—Bazaar

Back by popular request! Do you or your women's community have special artistry to sell? Pottery or quilts or hand-woven items? This is not a place for professional vendors, but for those who make items to sell for a little extra money or for church money-raisers. A limited number of tables will be available for you to rent on Saturday afternoon. This is not a place to sell food, but creative crafted items are welcome.

Fine Arts Exhibit

Artist may submit an application and slides of their art to be considered for exhibit at the Mix in '06. Visual two-dimensional work will be juried into the event. The exhibit will consider paintings, sculptures and woven and fabric art. The art must express and embrace the theme "Dream on Sisters."

To participate in any of the above you must do the following:

1. Apply by the given deadlines;

2. Register and attend the Mix in '06.

Advent celebrates the coming of Christ

Advent, meaning "the coming," is a season of joyous preparation for Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Christ. It takes place during the four weeks before and up to Christmas, and is celebrated each Sunday. The liturgical color is purple or deep blue, both symbols of Christ's divine royalty. The 2005 Advent season takes place November 27 to December 24. Given that the coming of Christ is at the heart of Christian faith, Advent stories speak of God coming near to us, and relating intimately with us, in our own places and times. The drama begins with people longing and preparing their hearts for Christ's coming. The good news of Jesus Christ's coming into the world is that God's love reaches all.

Ideas for Advent

During this Advent Season, invite your Christian education ministry to host an Advent Workshop and present activities such as the following to be used within church school classes, ministries, organizations or homes:

1. Special Projects: Ask for a volunteer to find special projects in which the group will give "themselves" and allow an avenue through which God Advent presence is also manifest, such as singing for the shut-ins in the neighborhood, hospital or long term care facilities; shoveling snow for the elderly or disabled; personal services to needy families, shelters and other institutions; collecting toys from members and organizing a Christmas party at which to give the toys. Have a variety of projects from which the group can choose to give themselves. (Elaine Ward: Church Educator, October 1994)
2. Market Table: For a summertime idea in preparation for Advent, try a market table. If your church wants to help feed the hungry, but you're in an area where there aren't enough needy people to warrant a soup kitchen, try this idea. Set up a "market table" in the fellowship hall or a Sunday school room where church members bring produce from their own gardens for other members to buy. Items can be purchased for a free will donation rather than a set price. The money from this project can be sent to help support a soup kitchen or homeless shelter in another area. Though the market table involves only a minimum of preparation and organization, it can generate a useful sum for ministry to the hungry. (David & Kathy Lynn: Leader, Summer 1998)
3. Lessons in Giving: Make a list of people to whom you would like to give a gift this Christmas. Take time to imagine what gifts you can give of yourself, remembering that this is the gift that lasts a lifetime, the ability to love. (Elaine Ward: Church Educator, October 1994)
4. Advent Angel: In some Christian homes, the Advent Angel visits every night or one night a week during the season of Advent. The angel leaves messages for every person in the house- just a sentence or two encouraging the person to be open to Christ's presence or to use her or his talents to bring joy to others. Occasionally the angel leaves a piece of candy, a tree ornament or a bookmark. Be creative if you become the Advent Angel's helper.
5. Alternative Giving Event: Host an alternative giving event where church members can give to worthy causes as their Christmas gifts to loved ones. For additional ideas, see Whose Birthday is it, Anyway? (ALTERNATIVES for Simple Living, Gerald Overseen, National Coordinator, (800) 821-6153)

For further information or ideas, contact Rev. Billye Bridges or Bill Culp. You may order an Advent/Christmas Resource Packet from Disciples Home Missions, P.O. 1986; Indianapolis, Ind. 46206 (888) 346-2631.