The Provincial Youth Committee throughout Advent are sharing a variety of resources for use in churches, youth groups, and at home during Advent.

The Youth Officer for the Diocese of Moray, Ross & Caithness, Ley-Anne Forsyth, on behalf of the PYC invited people from across the Scottish Episcopal Church to join with their Diocesan youth group in a daily reflection for advent. She shared that: “the young people in the Moray, Ross & Caithness youth network have woken up today to find an advent candle in the post. Now if you don’t know what an advent candle is: it is a candle that has numbering on it, which allows you to burn a portion each day with a little reflection throughout the season of Advent. If you stick with it, you will have burnt the candle by the time Christmas Day comes. In addition we are going to post a reflection every day: a brief reflection, while the candle burns, for us to take a minute with God in this very busy season in the lead up to Christmas.

“It doesn’t have to be an advent candle. You could have a battery operated tea light. You could opt to have no candle at all. This is an invitation to the young people of the province, but it’s also an invitation to the wider province as well. It’s often the case that we get swept up all the way to Christmas and we lose that important moment of anticipation that comes through this Advent season. So please do join along with us and let us know if you’re joining along with us.”

The first reflections have been posted on the Provincial Youth Committee Facebook page and can be found here.

In addition, Claire Benton-Evans, Provincial Youth Co-ordinator, has shared as part of her “Just Try This” series an infographic and instructions on making and sharing Jesus Rocks.

Claire said: “Here’s a great way to take the Christmas story out into your community! Whether you use weatherproof paint on pebbles or Sharpies on white stones, these Jesus Rocks can be a treasure hunt, a teaser for the Crib Service, or you can even create a social media campaign via your church’s Facebook page (although I don’t recommend encouraging children to post selfies). Follow this link to find out how one church did it.