For each of the OoF leaflets you receive there will be the opportunity to share your reflections and creativity here on our website as well as on our FaceBook pages. Sharing the faith together we grow in our understand of God and each other. Any images and words you send in will be put onto the pages here so that we can all share together in OoFing in the times of challenge during the 2020 COVID pandemic when we are not able to meet in person face to face and keep our faith in the ways we have done in years gone by. Pleas do join in.

Advent starts four Sundays before Christmas and is a season of preparation - getting ready. It is about gettiong ready to welcome the Christ child, Jesus, born at Christmas into our lives afresh. Often this is through reflection, focussing on the way we live our lives, thinking about our hopes fir the future and tryng to align ourselves with the call of Jesus to love God and our neighbour as ourselves. Advent is a lovely season to put in a few pauses in our lives, especially if the shops are busy or there is lots happening in a school schedule. It is a time to pause and lay our lives bare before God and receive God's forgiveness as we look to become and grow more Christ-like. Activities for Advent include marking each day with an advent calendar, making an advent wreath and lighting a candle each week, and this year we are using our Advent Oof to make a little 'mock' stained glass window to put in a window at home. Send in a photo of yours when you have made one and we will add it to the site.

After Reuben's attempts to make an Advent ring Stephen decided to take Asda into his own hands and create a 'tasteful' wreath....... here is the outcome of his creativity

The making of the stainedgglass window has been going apace in Renfrew and this is a picture of Robert's creation for the season.

The stained glass window making has made it to Erskine where these two windows have been created for the season.

Here are the set of Advent Candles put together in the home of Alec and Moira as well. Have you managed to make a display yet?

Over in Bishopton Judith has been creative in creating this stained glass window to observe the season there. I hope John can see it from his bed!

This the stained glass window I made for our house - well George supervised of course.

I found it therapeutic and reminded me of making things at primary school, which I loved. The background chosen is the Damien Hirst rainbow design created for NHS charities. It felt appropriate in view of COVID-19, my work as a healthcare chaplain and seeing the reality of the impact of the pandemic on the lives of so many. To superimpose the crib scene reminded me of the hope that we need to hold on to against so much loss and grief. No surprise that the first week of advent is praying for hope and that the vaccine will make a significant impact on the lives of so many.

These pictures show the stages of the making of Lisa's stained glass stencil in her home. This might help and inspire you in your making too.