An overview of the Advent and Christmas resources available on salvationist.org.uk to support local ministry, plus how you can make the most of digital platforms.
Christmas is a time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. For many people, however, the year has been far from peaceful and fraught with hardship and difficulties.
The Christmas ministry at your corps or centre will look different in response to the local need. THQ is here to support you this Advent and Christmas, with a suite of resources available to download from salvationist.org.uk/resources/christmas. These resources can be used to support community initiatives, bringing joy and peace to all.
Advent
Events such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and climate change have created an even more unsettled world. Use the Advent resources to help your congregation focus on God’s coming as the Prince of Peace.
Teaching starters and prayer and creative worship ideas are available alongside short videos to introduce weekly themes, PowerPoint templates and a logo, looking at how different aspects of peace intertwine with the Christmas story.
Christmas Present Appeal
Many corps and centres will be collecting donated presents and distributing them to people in need. Resources available include posters to help kick-start local appeals, as well as practical information on what toys are suitable for different age groups.
Fundraising
Transform lives this Christmas with this wide collection of fundraising resources. Included are ideas on how to raise funds, plus Be a Star gift tags, posters and invitations. Also included are Be a Star donation cards, which help pay towards shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
Food parcels and meals
Creative resources to help you plan Christmas meals, including worship and hospitality ideas to involve the whole community. There are suggested timetables, guest forms, invitations, food donation posters and more, all of which can be edited and personalised in Microsoft Word.
School assemblies
Add some sparkle to primary school or secondary school assemblies with packs including getting ready for Christmas, how it’s celebrated around the world, what the Army does and pass the parcel.
Prayer Matters
Prayer Matters is a free daily prayer resource to build a closer relationship with God, with weekly themes covering global affairs, injustices and of hope. The July to December 2022 edition, including Advent prayers, is available to download now.
Music and videos
This comprehensive resource includes a range of vocal and instrumental solos, virtual choir videos, carol accompaniment videos with lyrics, and incidental music for you to use at corps meetings as backings for poems, readings, Bible readings or prayers.
Download, for instance, the piano audio of ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ or ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’.
Nativity and drama scripts
Engage further with those in your community through the telling of the greatest story ever told. This excellent and inclusive resource is suitable for a range of age groups and includes the script for a parody of Line of Duty. This can be performed by children, adults or a combination of both and brings a current rendition of the Christmas story that is suitable for use in carol services and Messy Church.
Make the most of digital platforms
- Make sure DHQ has information about your present appeal for the territorial map on salvationarmy.org.uk. The map is one of the site’s most-visited pages at Christmas and will help attract donations.
- Make sure your corps webpage on salvationarmy.org.uk is up to date. Contact digital@salvationarmy.org.uk for support with this.
- Create a JustGiving page and download social media graphics
to support your local fundraising. Contact challenge@salvationarmy.org.uk for support with this.
Discover more
Use event fundraising to help deliver mission objectives and connect with people in your local area.
Our annual carol concert at the Royal Albert Hall – recording available.