Meet our newest members, read Bev Iber's conversion experience, and David Dunderdale's reflection on hope and waiting during the season of Advent.
Worship on the Longest Night
Sunday, December 16, 6:30 p.m. | Sanctuary
Are you feeling out of step with the joy of Christmas? Blacknall offers a contemplative service that provides space to pause, reflect, and remember that Jesus comes for those of us who are suffering, lonely, or grieving.
All are welcome. Childcare is provided.
11 a.m. service only Sunday, Dec. 9
Due to winter weather, Blacknall will only have the 11 a.m. worship service on Sunday, December 9. There will be no 8:30 a.m. service, Sunday School, or other scheduled afternoon or evening activities. We regret to cancel our annual Carols & Cocoa service!
CANCELLED - Carols & Cocoa
Due to winter weather, we regret to cancel our annual Carols & Cocoa service.
Sunday, December 9, 6:30 p.m. | Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall
A Christmas songfest in the Sanctuary followed by cocoa and cookies in the Fellowship Hall. The whole family is welcome!
Advent in the Home: Developing Family Traditions
Blacknall held an event last year for families to share simple Advent traditions they had incorporated into their family life. A key tip was to hold it loosely – it’s ok if you miss a day! – and to make it a part of your daily rhythm. Reading a devotion after dinner, opening the Advent Calendar door, or lighting a candle are all ways to signal the season of Advent as we head towards the mystery of Christmas.
Below are ideas to get you started. Consider picking one or two that might fold easily into your life.
Advent Calendar
DIY – Paper or muslin bags can be filled with small tokens or activities (ex. Go to Carols and Cocoa, Write a thank you note, Sing a hymn after dinner). The bags can be taped to the wall or strung up with string and clothespins.
Buy – A re-usable or paper calendar can provide a way for children to interact daily with the season.
Advent Books
DIY – Consider giving a daily book about Christmas. These don’t have to be new! Check them out from your local library (or Blacknall’s library – view a list of great suggestions here) and wrap them up in fabric, recycled grocery bags, or inexpensive paper from the Scrap Exchange.
Buy – Some families purchase books and re-use the same ones each year. If you do want to purchase books, here are a few recommendations.
Advent Prayer Guide
“Teach Us to Pray: Scripture-Centered Family Worship through the Year” put out by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. The Advent section is available for free download.
Advent Prophecy Chain
Download the prophecies, cut out the strips and tape them together throughout Advent. Created by Diane Bidgood.
Advent Wreath
DIY – Make your own wreath at Blacknall’s yearly workshop or at home.
Buy
Battery-operated Advent tea lights to involve little ones who might not be ready for candles.
Jesus Storybook Advent Printables
Jesse Tree – ornaments and templates can be found online.
DIY
Make a tree out of construction paper and tape it up on the wall. Children can color ornaments and hang them up daily (you can find printable ornaments online).
DIY ornaments for the tree.
If you’re crafty, Blacknall often has a group that does a Jesse tree ornament exchange in November.
Forage for a small tree branch, place in a vase, and hang your Jesse tree ornaments from it.
Buy – There are many great ornament kits, especially on Etsy, although they can get quite expensive. Here are a few:
Paint your own ornaments with this wooden ornament set
Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 2, 8:30 & 11 a.m. Worship Services
Chamber orchestra, choral singing and Scripture readings. Children’s programs & nursery provided.
Advent Wreath Workshop
Sunday, December 2, 4-6 p.m. | Community Room
This year we will assemble the wreaths in one-hour shifts. Bring $15.00 for your kit (candles, oasis wreath ring, etc) and a cookie sheet to transport your wreath. Cash or check made out to BMPC is fine. If you have access to greenery or holly berries, bring some in bag to use and share. Clippers are helpful. This is an event for all ages and stages.
Angel Tree
Sunday, Nov. 18 – Dec. 16
Please select an Angel from the tree and sign up in the Lower Atrium. Gifts will be distributed to St. John's Church in Walltown and to Families Moving Forward. Return the gift to the lower Atrium with the Angel attached by December 16. Thank you!
November Newsletter
In this month’s edition:
Pastor’s letter from Allan Poole on cultivating gratitude in a culture of critics.
Holiday Hospitality opportunities with International Students, Inc.
“A Mother-in-law’s Prayer” - Ali Shoenfelt’s journey from a teenager who had angrily walked away from God after losing her father, to a woman who seeks our Father’s voice and tries to follow him.
“Passing the Peas with Jesus” - A glimpse into Noreen Naiman’s thoughts on a Tuesday as she prepares dinner for Pass the Peas with Reality Ministries.
Upcoming special mission offering for homelessness.
Update from session on the new parental leave policy and Future Vision Fund allocations.
Marriage Course Party
Thursday, Nov. 15, 6-8:30 p.m., Blacknall Fellowship Hall (1902 Perry St., Durham)
Interested?
Click here to learn more about the course.
Enjoy a delicious dinner, learn how to build a strong marriage, and hear from couples who have taken the Marriage Course. Blacknall’s next course will be offered Thursdays, Jan. 17- March 7, 2019, those interested may sign up at the party.
Have friends who could benefit? Invite them for a course preview- they do not need to attend Blacknall. Engaged, co-habiting, co-parenting, and separated couples are all welcome to take the course.
RSVP here by Tuesday, Nov. 13.
Questions? Contact Ali Shoenfelt (ali@blacknall.org).