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Seasons by Step series In the Name of the Master Teaching Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany through a Della Robbia Wreath

$14.00/parish
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subtitle:
Teaching Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany through a Della Robbia Wreath
series:
Seasons by Step series
title:
In the Name of the Master
eresource:
true
per:
parish
pricing:
$14.00/parish
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An interesting and engaging way to begin your faith formation sessions through Advent-Christmas

In the Name of the Master will challenge people of all ages to use a Della Robbia Wreath during the seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, to explore the meanings of the many names of God's Masterpiece, Jesus. 

In the Name of the Master offers congregations a thematic approach for communicating the stories of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany.  It uses a variation of the Advent wreath that incorporates fruit as symbols to explore the meanings of the many names of God's Masterpiece, Jesus.

To make the worship theme visible and to reinforce the message, each candle of an Advent wreath is assigned a phrase that also serves as the focus for a children's message and/or at-home activities. These include:

  • First Sunday in Advent - A Masterpiece Bears the Name of Its Creator (Della Robia Wreath)
  • Second Sunday in Advent - Isaiah Foretells Everlasting Love (Circle of evergreen)
  • Third Sunday in Advent - Mary and Joseph Accept Jesus, the Savior (Apple)
  • Fourth Sunday in Advent - The Angel Proclaims Christ, the Lord (Cherries)
  • Christmas Eve or Christmas Day - God's Son Names Us as His Own (Grapes)
  • Epiphany Sunday - Wise Men Honor the King of Kings (Pomegranate)

The resource includes:

  • History and background on Della Robbia wreaths
  • Instructions for making or purchasing wreaths
  • Instructions for making a candy centerpiece and fruit float (for holiday punch)
  • Details on how to incorporate this approach to group settings/worship
  • Children's messages, which can be used in faith formation settings or as the basis for children's homilies
  • Family devotions handouts, which offer families a way to reflect, pray, and act each week
  • Beautiful woodblock-style illustrations/patterns for each week
  • List of additional resources

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This is a downloadable, reproducible product sold with a lifetime parish or school license. Please read the full license terms below.

Product License

This reproducible eResource is sold with a lifetime license for use within a parish, school, or diocesan office. You are allowed to make unlimited copies for use within your own community. You may also email these to members of your team or participants in your program. If you serve more than one parish or school, each should purchase its own license. You may not post our eResources to any web site without explicit permission to do so. Please contact us if you have any questions. Thank you for cooperating with our honor system regarding our product licenses.

Format: eResource
Product code: LR108
Dimensions: 8½" x 11"
Length: 70 pages
Publisher:
The Pastoral Center / LeaderResources
Written by Anna L. Liechty and Phyllis Vos Wezeman

Author

ANNA LIECHTY taught English to high school students and served as adjunct faculty for Indiana University South Bend for many years. Anna also worked as a mentor trainer and teacher coach with adult learners for the Indiana Department of Education. She won numerous educational classroom grants, including the Eli Lilly Teacher Creativity grant.

As a life-long church educator, Anna worked with all age levels, directing Sunday morning and youth programming, consulting with congregations about their educational ministry, and writing a wide variety of religious education materials. She served as Vice President of Active Learning Associates and co-authored four Lilly Worship Renewal grants.

Anna’s undergraduate degree is from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and her Master’s degree from Indiana University South Bend. She was certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in Adolescent and Young Adult English Language Arts.

In retirement, Anna continues to pursue a variety of writing projects, receiving an Individual Artist Grant in Literature from the Indiana Arts Commission. Now living in Florida, Anna enjoys traveling with her husband Page Foster, a retired pastor, and counting the days between visits with six children, twelve grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

View all resources by Anna L. Liechty

As a religious educator, PHYLLIS VOS WEZEMAN has served as Director of Christian Nurture at a downtown congregation in South Bend, Indiana; Executive Director of the Parish Resource Center of Michiana; and Program Coordinator for ecumenical as well as interfaith organizations in Indiana and Michigan.

In academics, Phyllis has been Adjunct Faculty in the Education Department at Indiana University South Bend and in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. She is an "Honorary Professor" of the Saint Petersburg (Russia) State University of Pedagogical Art where she has taught methods courses for extended periods on several occasions. She has also been guest lecturer at the Shanghai Teachers College in China.

As founder of the not-for-profit Malawi Matters, Inc., she develops and directs HIV & AIDS Education programs with thousands of volunteers in 200 villages and more than 1,500 schools in Malawi, Africa including “Creative Methods of HIV & AIDS Education,” “Culture & HIV-AIDS,” and “Equipping Women/ Empowering Girls.”

Author or co-author of over 2,000 articles and books, she has written for over 80 publishers.

Phyllis served as President of Active Learning Associates, Inc.; a consultant or board member to numerous local and national organizations such as the American Bible Society, Church World Service, LOGOS, and the Peace Child Foundation; leader of a six- week youth exchange program to Russia and Ukraine; and Project Director for four Lilley Worship Renewal grants. She is the recipient of three “Distinguished Alumni Awards," the Aggiornamento Award from the Catholic Library Association, and the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE).

Wezeman holds undergraduate degrees in Business, Communications, and General Studies from various institutions and an MS in Education from Indiana University South Bend.

Phyllis and her husband Ken (who met when they were in second and third grade in elementary school) have three children and their spouses, Stephanie (Jeff), David, and Paul (Deha); five grandchildren, Quin, Ayle, Lief, Ashley, and Jacob; and two great-grandsons, Maddox and Troy.

View all resources by Phyllis Vos Wezeman