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A Gift from the Assembly Circles

For many of us, the birth of Christ will have special meaning this year. After the challenges of 2021, we gladly anticipate and prepare for the coming of God's hope, peace joy, and love, dwelling among us. As you prepare for the Advent Season, the Assembly Circles of Interest are sharing the joy by contributing a "gift" each day to help you plan or prepare for worship, or to mark the Advent season in a prayerful and reflective way. 

Each day until Christmas a new "gift" will appear below. They will include prayers, songs, poems, reflections or resources.

To receive the gift delivered to your inbox each day, join anyone of our Assembly Circles of Interest. 

DAY 24

WALKING TOGETHER AS FIRST AND SECOND PEOPLES

EXPLOREExamples of walking together across the life of our church

DAY 23

WORKING FOR JUSTICE

readIn this prayer from Circle Advocate Rev Loni Vaitohi we remember God's hope for all creation.

DAY 22

BEING A MULTICULTURAL CHURCH

READOfa Foiakau takes us to Christmas in a Fijian village, with its sense of celebration, relationship and selfless giving.

DAY 21

DISCIPLING THE NEXT GENERATIONS

READIntergenerational resources to help you prepare for Epiphany, Lent and Easter.

DAY 20

SEEKING COMMON GROUND

READCircle Advocate Rev Dr Matt Wilson reflects how Christmas brings unlikely partners together.

DAY 19

WORKING FOR JUSTICE

readReflect on how to simplify and live abundantly in preparation of the joyful hope of Christmas

DAY 18

SEEKING COMMON GROUND

readRead this English translation of the birth of Jesus as narrated in the Holy Qu’ran.

DAY 17

WALKING TOGETHER AS FIRST AND SECOND PEOPLES

READCircle Advocate Alison Overeem offers this blessing for 'new life that sits within'

DAY 16

DISCIPLING THE NEXT GENERATIONS

WATCHRev Amanda Nicholas shares a creative take on Advent by UCA Pastor and artist Kelly Skilton

DAY 15

BEING A MULTICULTURAL CHURCH

READPs Levon Kardashian shares this reflection on anticipating the heavenly feast

DAY 14

DISCIPLING THE NEXT GENERATIONS

READTips to help families focus on Jesus at Christmas and a prayer.

DAY 13

SEEKING COMMON GROUND

READReflect on this nativity icon from the Eastern Orthodox church.

DAY 12

TRANSFORMING WORSHIP

WATCHCircle Advocate Rev Alex Sangster offers this beautiful reading of the Nativity story.

DAY 11

GROWING IN FAITH

WATCHHee Won Chang offers a video reflection on awaiting the birth of hope, peace, joy, and love.

DAY 10

BEING A MULTICULTURAL CHURCH

READAssembly National Consultant Rev Dr Apwee Ting offers this prayer in Indonesian

DAY 9

SEEKING COMMON GROUND

READRev Tara Curlewis offers an Advent reflection, 'Light shining through the darkness'

DAY 8

DISCIPLING THE NEXT GENERATIONS

READMelissa Neumann offers an all-age prayer activity from the Christmas Family Faith Trail resource

DAY 7

BEING A MULTICULTURAL CHURCH

WATCHRev Cyrus Kung offers this spoken word poem, 'who do we think God is?'

DAY 6

WALKING TOGETHER AS FIRST AND SECOND PEOPLES

READCircle Advocate Alison Overeem offers a reflection on 'a shared basket of new life'

DAY 5

WORKING FOR JUSTICE

DOWNLOAD HERERev Paul Goh shares a Refugee Prayer Guide for Advent from the Synod of South Australia.

DAY 4

TRANSFORMING WORSHIP

WATCHRev Mat Harry shares two fantastic examples of congregational creativity and innovation.

DAY 3

SEEKING COMMON GROUND

READAn Advent prayer from Voices United, the hymn book of the United Church of Canada.

DAY 2

GROWING IN FAITH

READJon Humphries has written a reflection on the 'way to the manger'.

DAY 1

TRANSFORMING WORSHIP

WATCH AND DOWNLOADRev David MacGregor shares a song he has written. Permission is granted for free streaming.