AURORA, Ill., Nov. 18, 2020 — Fifty boxes of advent wreaths, candles and educational materials—advent kits–are ready.

Rev. Derek Rogers, pastor at Flowing Forth United Methodist Church in Aurora, said the church is part of a faith tradition—lighting the advent wreath on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Instead of in-person worship at Aurora Christian Schools, congregants will use advent kits for at-home observances.

Advent is a seasonal tradition celebrated in the Christian and Catholic faiths to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ. The advent wreath is used to symbolically commemorate newness, eternal life and the death and resurrection of the promised Messiah.

Rev. Rogers said, “Flowing Forth United Methodist Church in Aurora is creatively planning for advent and Christmas under COVID-19 safety guidelines. By changing our approach, providing at-home advent kits, Flowing Forth congregants refuse to let COVID-19 stand in the way of celebrating the holiday season.”

According to the pastor, he and two volunteers packed the kits last week.

Seven volunteers will distribute the kits in surprise deliveries to church families by Nov. 29, the first day of advent.

According to Rev. Rogers, each kit contains a faux advent wreath with four candles, a card, a devotions book, Christmas eve candles, holiday candy and an information sheet explaining advent events with dates and times.

The pastor hopes the kits will bring a sense of normalcy and comfort in a time of uncertainty. The kits will also be connected to an online service offered on Sunday mornings.

The Rev. Rogers will host a six-part advent sermon series, “Home for the Holidays.” Rev. Walter Cantwell, pastor of Lyman UMC in Lyman, S.C., will  open the series at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, with “At Home.”

Following sermons by Rev. Rogers are “The Gift of Home,” Dec. 6; “A Prepared Home,” Dec. 13; “Home by another Way,” Dec. 20; and “The Good News,” Dec. 24.

Call (630) 239-2321 or visit flowingforthumc.org for more information.

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Al Benson

Freelance Photo-Journalist

Al Benson is an Aurora-based freelance photo-journalist. He is currently an archives research specialist at Aurora University. His work has appeared in The Voice, The Daily Herald, The Beacon-News, and the Chicago Tribune.