<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1VEJWm_0viJQXCE00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1VEJWm_0viJQXCE00" width="869" height="375" ></figure><p>Originally published at https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/fall-planning-for-your-church.</p><p>Here’s a fall checklist to help you prepare for upcoming holidays like Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. This list includes marketing, social media, and community outreach reminders.</p><h2>September/Early October: Planning Phase</h2><ol><li>Set Holiday Calendar </li><li>Schedule important dates: Thanksgiving, Advent Sundays, Christmas Eve/Day services.</li><li>Plan any special events: Thanksgiving meals, Advent candle lighting, Christmas pageants, etc.</li><ol><li>Organize Volunteer Teams </li><li>Assign leaders for different activities: service projects, decorating, marketing, hospitality.</li><li>Schedule volunteer sign-ups for events like food drives or caroling.</li><ol><li>Design Event Themes &amp; Graphics </li><li>Create branding for each holiday event: colors, logos, and themes for Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas.</li><li>Coordinate with graphic designers for flyers, social media, and website banners.</li><ol><li>Plan Outreach Initiatives </li></ol><ul><li>Contact local charities for Thanksgiving and Christmas service projects (e.g., food banks, coat drives). Begin promotion for these events within your congregation and through community partners.</li></ul><h2>Mid October: Marketing and Promotions</h2><ol><li>Thanksgiving Service &amp; Outreach Prep </li><li>Plan and promote a Thanksgiving worship service.</li><li>Organize a community meal or food drive with details posted on the website and social media.</li><ol><li>Social Media Content Calendar </li><li>Start scheduling holiday-themed posts across platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, etc.). Focus on gratitude, hope, and giving.</li><li>Share stories or testimonials of church service projects and how people can get involved.</li><ol><li>Community Partnerships </li><li>Partner with local businesses or organizations to host community-wide Thanksgiving or Christmas events.</li><li>Coordinate advertising with community boards, local press, and neighborhood social media groups.</li><ol><li>Begin Promoting Advent </li></ol><ul><li>Create an Advent devotional guide to share with members and online followers.</li></ul><h2>Early November: Thanksgiving Final Prep</h2><ol><li>Finalize Thanksgiving Details </li><li>Confirm volunteers for the meal, food drives, or service projects.</li><li>Send reminders to the congregation about Thanksgiving service and community events.</li><ol><li>Thanksgiving Marketing Blitz </li><li>Push final promotions for the Thanksgiving service/event via email blasts, social media posts, and flyers.</li><li>Include reminders in church announcements and bulletins.</li><ol><li>Post-Thanksgiving Gratitude Campaign </li></ol><ul><li>Encourage the congregation to share what they are thankful for on social media.</li><li>Share images from Thanksgiving events (with permission) and highlight impact stories.</li></ul><h2>Late November: Advent Launch</h2><ol><li>Decorate the Church </li><li>Set up Advent wreaths, Christmas lights, and decorations.</li><li>Post photos of the transformation on social media to build excitement.</li><ol><li>Host an Advent Kickoff Event </li><li>Plan a community-wide or congregation-only event to mark the start of Advent.</li><li>Share Advent resources (daily devotionals, prayer guides) and invite people to Advent services.</li><ol><li>Advent Sermon Series </li><li>Promote your Advent sermon series theme and scripture references.</li><li>Share teaser videos or posts on social media about what to expect.</li><ol><li>Daily/Weekly Advent Content </li></ol><ul><li>Schedule weekly Advent reflections or prayers on social media.</li><li>Highlight one service project or giving opportunity each week of Advent (food drives, toy donations, etc.).</li></ul><h2>December: Christmas Prep and Promotions</h2><ol><li>Promote Christmas Eve/Day Services </li><li>Create event pages for Christmas Eve/Day services and invite the community.</li><li>Share details about children’s pageants, special music, or other unique aspects of the service.</li><ol><li>Christmas Marketing Campaign </li><li>Ramp up social media posts, focusing on the message of hope, peace, and joy.</li><li>Send email invitations to congregation members and encourage them to share with friends.</li><ol><li>Community Outreach </li><li>Organize caroling events, gift drives for underprivileged families, or visits to nursing homes.</li><li>Publicize these efforts locally and online to encourage participation.</li><ol><li>Prepare Christmas Eve Programs </li><li>Finalize orders of service, program handouts, and multimedia needs.</li><li>Share a sneak peek of the service (e.g., choir rehearsal, behind-the-scenes video) on social media.</li><ol><li>Follow-up &amp; Thank You </li></ol><ul><li>After Christmas, send thank you notes to volunteers, donors, and community partners.</li><li>Share photos and testimonies from Advent and Christmas events online, highlighting the church’s impact.</li></ul><p>This checklist will ensure a well-organized and impactful holiday season for your church community, both in-person and online.</p><h2>Get information like this in your inbox</h2><p><i>The Desert Southwest Conference is a diverse and loving organization with open doors to a variety of people and partners in ministry. Celebrating our connection and diversity, we offer various resources. Content on this site includes information from other organizations that may not reflect the official policies or Social Principles of The United Methodist Church or the Desert Southwest Conference.</i></p></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></ol></div></body>

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Fall planning for your church

Originally published at https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/fall-planning-for-your-church. Here’s a fall checklist to help you prepare for upcoming holidays like Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. This list includes marketing, social media, and community outreach reminders. September/Early October: Planning Phase. Set Holiday Calendar. Schedule important dates: Thanksgiving, Advent Sundays, Christmas Eve/Day services. Plan any special...