Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. — Hebrews 12:2 We just started the second week of Lent! I loved doing craft projects with my kids during Lent because they served as a refresher for us, a reminder of what we are doing and where we are going. During the season of Lent, we are walking with Jesus through the wilderness and the journey leads straight to the Cross. His mission was to willingly sacrifice himself for us so that through his death and resurrection, we would be rescued. I love this Lenten craft because it is simple and easy for little hands to make but when it is done, it serves as a powerful reminder of the power of the cross of Christ. I hope it is a blessing to you and your family! Supplies: toothpicks 1/2 sheet of black construction paper twine glue stick Cut sheets of black construction paper in half lengthwise. Use the glue stick to make a shape of a cross in the middle of the paper. Break toothpicks in half and lay them down on the glue, roughly outlining the cross and then filling it in with the toothpicks. Punch holes in the top corners of your paper. Thread a length of twine through and knot on both ends. Hang in a prominent place in your home or by your child's bed. Read Hebrews 12:2 and John 3:16-17 as a family. Close with this prayer - Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

A liturgical calendar, also known as a Church calendar, is a system used by many Christian denominations to organize and commemorate the annual cycle of religious events, feasts, and seasons. It serves as a guide for worship, prayer, and reflection throughout the year, helping the faithful to connect with the significant events in the life of Jesus Christ and the history of the Christian faith. The liturgical calendar is structured around the major events in the life of Christ, such as his birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension, as well as the events in the early history of the Church. It divides the year into various seasons and feast days, each with its unique themes, colors, and scripture readings. The calendar highlights the theological significance of these events and provides a framework for spiritual growth and reflection. There are many Christian liturgical calendars, including Anglican, Orthodox, Catholic, and Lutheran, and all of them have their own variations of the calendar. While specific details may vary among these traditions, the core purpose remains the same: to help Christians journey through the life of Christ and the teachings of the Church in a systematic and meaningful way, deepening their faith and relationship with God. Embracing the liturgical year has been a transformative journey for our family, one that has enriched our spiritual lives in countless ways. It's like having a roadmap for our faith, guiding us through the seasons of the Church Year and helping us connect more deeply with God's story. Today, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite liturgical calendars that have been constant companions on our faith-filled adventure. Whether you're new to the concept of liturgical living or a seasoned traveler on this path, these cherished resources can bring a profound sense of purpose and intentionality to your spiritual walk. Join me as we explore the beauty and significance of the liturgical calendar and how it can be a valuable tool for your family's faith journey. There are two different types of Liturgical Calendars - those with dates printed on them and perpetual calendars (no dates but they can be used year after year). Liturgical Calendars With Dates: 2022-23 Lectionary Liturgical Calendar from Red Letter Design. I have this hanging in my children's church room and I love it! The kids can't wait to run in on Sunday morning and move the spinner to the date that we are on. It is beautiful and I love how interactive it is! A Liturgical Calendar For the Year 2023 from Lectionary Page. This is the online calendar that I look at every month to guide my days. Liturgical Calendars Without Dates: Modern Liturgical Calendar Wheel by SojournSPFormation. I love the beauty and simplicity of this calendar! It is a digital download that you can print up and frame or hang on your wall. A Year With God by Catechesis Books. These graphics are absolutely gorgeous! This is a perpetual calendar that walks you through every season. It is free when you pre-order their new book Sacred Seasons which walks you through the Liturgical Year. God's Big Story Seasons of the Church Year I also use this calendar in children's church. It's simple and the weeks are marked. It gives the kids a great overview of where we are in God's Big Story. It is a digital download.

As a family, we've experienced the transformative power of weaving the Daily Office into our daily rhythm. The Daily Office is the ancient Christian practice of stopping at intervals throughout the day for bible reading and prayer. When we embrace this rule of life, we, too, are joining in this great tradition of prayer going all of the way back to the early church until today. We are modeling for ourselves and our families that we seek God in prayer every day. We are acknowledging that our days are not our own but are the Lord’s and that regularly, throughout the day, we will remind ourselves of His presence, of His greatness, and of His goodness. I'm thrilled to share with you some of my most cherished resources that have made this journey both accessible and enriching. Whether you're just starting or seeking to deepen your family's prayer practice, these invaluable tools and insights can help you embark on a path that brings yourself and your family closer to the Lord. A Bible - Some of the resources listed require a bible and some provide the bible readings for you. I had one of these inexpensive Bibles for each of the members of our family. We kept them in a cabinet by the kitchen table to be used when we prayed. Daily Prayer for Families - I created these simplified Daily Office forms for a family to easily use. They are based on the experience of our family over the years. There are forms for prayer in the morning, noonday, early evening (right before or after dinner), and at the close of the day (right before bed). Choose whichever time works best for you, find the corresponding form, and print one out for each member of your family. Morning Prayer Pocket Cards - My husband created these prayer cards for our church and I love them! They were created to be a simple, accessible way to connect with God right when you wake up in the morning. From time to time, I will use these cards during our morning prayer just to offer some variety. We read a passage of scripture, then we read the cards in unison. When we get to the prayer part, we each share what we are thankful for and what we want prayer for and then we conclude in unison. The Daily Office Booklet - I love this resource from Anglican Compass. This is the traditional Daily Office but in an easy-to-use booklet form. I love this booklet because you can print it up and it contains the basics of the Morning and Evening Prayer liturgies, as well as the references for all Scripture readings. It makes it so easy for me to have guided prayer time every day. The Daily Office App - I have this installed on my phone and it is really awesome! It makes it easy for you to pray daily morning, midday, evening, and bedtime prayer without flipping pages, searching for scripture readings, calendars, or interpreting rubrics. The Book of Common Prayer - If you would like the comprehensive service book for Anglican churches worldwide, then you might want to invest in The Book of Common Prayer. It contains the written liturgies for almost any service held at an Anglican church. In it, you will not only find daily prayer services (the Daily Office), but you will also find Holy Eucharist services, special services like Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, services held throughout one’s life like baptism and weddings, ordination services, and services to celebrate new ministries or churches

The Liturgical Year was created in order to walk the Church, both corporately and individually, through the life and ministry of Jesus. The Church’s faith was not something upheld and taught only on Sundays, it was something each member of the Church lived every day. It was an experience. Through the reading of Scripture, the celebration of the Eucharist, and the observance of the feast days and fast days, our family celebrates the major events in the life of Christ and in the life of the Church. We are constantly molded and shaped as we walk through these seasons. The Church’s seasons don’t just repeat, they reshape us and reform us, making us more and more like Jesus. In other words, the Liturgical Year is how we are shaped into God’s people. One thing I will never regret is reorienting my life and my family’s life around the Liturgical Year. It brought so much meaning and depth to our home! That's why it's my mission to guide others in celebrating the rich tapestry of the liturgical year in their own home. Whether you're new to liturgical living or seeking to deepen your existing practices, you've come to the right place. Here, you'll find devotions, traditions, recipes, and activities designed to enrich your faith and family life and to walk you through the Liturgical Year. From the history and meaning of feast days to delicious recipes and crafts for the whole family, I'm excited to share this fulfilling journey with you! My Website - Here you'll find everything you need to celebrate the Liturgical Year in your home. My blog posts include the history and the meaning of it and all of the ways to celebrate. I share devotions, recipes, activities, and traditions from around the world. The Liturgical Home Series - These are guidebooks that give you everything you need to celebrate the Liturgical Year in your home. They are broken down into each season of the Church Year. For instance, in the Advent book: 🕯 What are the seasons of the Church? 🕯 What is Advent and why do we celebrate it? 🕯All of the beautiful traditions from around the world that help us celebrate the season of Advent. From Advent Wreaths to Christmas Stockings, you’ll learn the reason why we celebrate these traditions and how to celebrate them. 🕯All of the special days throughout Advent. From St. Nicholas’ Day to Las Posadas, you’ll learn why we celebrate these special days along with all of their history, traditions and foods. 🕯Family devotions for every day in Advent, including the special prayers for the Advent Wreath. 🕯Traditional recipes from around the world to celebrate these special events. Also, I am excited to announce that I will be releasing The Liturgical Home: Lent this year! Woohoo! My Instagram Page @ashleytumlinwallace -This is definitely the most personal and interactive connection. I show up throughout the day sharing scriptures that I read, snapshots of my daily life, blog posts, recipes, activities, and heads up for when special days are coming. I love Instagram because I am really able to connect with my community by answering questions, asking questions, and liking and commenting on what others share. The Liturgical Home at Anglican Compass - I am so excited to be the writer for The Liturgical Home at Anglican Compass. Anglican Compass is an incredible resource that shares everything you need to know about the Anglican Tradition. It is a source of guidance for people from all over the world who are curious about the Anglican tradition or who want to learn more about their faith. In The Liturgical Home posts, I also share everything you need to celebrate the Liturgical Year in your home. My posts include the history and the meaning of it and all of the ways to celebrate. I share devotions, recipes, activities, and traditions from around the world. I hope that my work will bless you as a resource and a guide through your own journey through the Liturgical Year. Here's to embracing all that the Church Year has to offer!

During this Easter season, I’ve been talking a lot about eggs. I’ve written about the significance of eggs during Easter where I explain the history of the egg as a symbol of the resurrection as well as all of the ways that eggs are used in Easter celebrations. Around the world, Christians decorate eggs in various ways, including dyeing and embellishing them with various designs and materials. One of my favorite traditions for decorating eggs is an elaborate wax-resist method called Pysanky. If you Google an image of Pysanky eggs you will be blown away by the intricate designs and layers of vibrant batik dyes. They truly are works of art! Pysanky eggs are a traditional Slavic craft that dates back to the 10th century. Although Pysanky eggs are made in many areas with Slavic origins like Poland and Croatia, they have been made most famous because of Ukraine. Ukraine’s Pysanky eggs are a national symbol of Ukraine and are famous throughout the world. Pysanky eggs are considered an early form of writing for the Slavic peoples. The word Pysanka which is the singular of Pysanky comes from the Ukrainian word Pysaty which means “to write.” Each symbol and color has a meaning and is meant to be a message to the loved one that receives the egg. When given a Pysanky egg, the recipient was able to “read” the egg and its meaning. It was almost like a greeting card with messages of “Get Well” or “Wishing You Were Here.” The wax-resist method used to decorate Pysanky eggs involves special tools and drawing designs on the egg with melted wax, which then acts as a resist against dyes. The egg is then dipped in a series of dyes, with the most intricate and detailed designs requiring multiple dips and layers of wax. Traditionally, Pysanky eggs and the process of making them held deep spiritual significance. The practice was seen as a form of meditative prayer. In making Pysanky eggs, the withdrawal from the day-to-day world was emphasized. It was a way to connect with God on a deeper level and to pray over the recipient of the eggs. Originally, the eggs were decorated by the women of the household after the children went to bed. The eggs would take hours to make and were given as gifts or used to decorate the home. Every symbol and every color chosen for the eggs had meaning. Once the eggs were done, they were placed in Easter baskets, taken to church to be blessed by the priest, and then given to loved ones or brought home to be used as decorations. The making of Pysanky eggs was a beautiful tradition passed from generation to generation until the Communists took power. Joseph Stalin, the head of the Communist Party, wanted to eliminate all religion, so he banned Pysanky eggs and any other symbol or practice of the Christian faith. If the Ukrainians were caught making Pysanky, they would be killed. Despite the threat to their lives, many Ukrainian people secretly made Pysanky eggs in their homes. They made them at night and they hid in their closets to keep this important practice of their faith alive and to pass it down to the next generation. After Ukraine gained independence in 1991, the tradition of Pysanky egg decorating experienced a resurgence and is now celebrated and cherished as an important cultural tradition.

As Christians, prayer is one of the most important things we do. Prayer is what unites us to God. It is the way that we build a relationship with Him and it is His way of communicating with us. Prayer causes us to pause, to turn ourselves back to God, and to remind ourselves of who He is and who we are in Him. Prayer can take many different forms: it can be informal or formal, it can be private or corporate, it can be silent or with words, and it can be done at any time or in any location. But the act of more intentional or routine daily prayer can be traced all the way back to the time of Deuteronomy and the ancient Israelites. In Deuteronomy 6, Moses is speaking to the next generation of Israelites before they enter the promised land. He does not want them to be like the previous generation who grumbled and complained and constantly turned away from God. Moses reminds the next generation of their calling to be God’s people. He reminds them of a higher way of living, of a rule of life that will bring blessings to them and their families. 6 “Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, 2 that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." I love the last verse where the people of Israel are instructed to teach their children diligently and to talk about the things of God at regular hours of the day. This last verse became the basis for the Jewish practice of praying morning, noon, and night to the Lord. And, when the early church started, the practice continued and they prayed in the same way as well. Christians since the very beginning have prayed at these set times throughout the day. When we embrace this rule of life, we, too, are joining in this great tradition of prayer going all of the way back to the ancient Israelites, through the early church until today. We are modeling for ourselves and our families that we seek God in prayer every day. We are acknowledging that our days are not our own but are the Lord’s and that regularly, throughout the day, we will remind ourselves of His presence, of His greatness, and of His goodness. If you'd like to start a more intentional time of prayer, here are some of my favorite resources: A Bible The Daily Office Booklet - The ancient Christian practice of beginning and ending each day with Bible reading and prayer is known as the “Daily Office." The Daily Office primarily consists of Morning and Evening Prayer (although there are other prayer times/services, such as Noonday Prayer and Compline, which is prayer right before bed). I love this booklet because you can print it up and it contains the basics of the Morning and Evening Prayer liturgies, as well as the references for all Scripture readings. It makes it so easy for me to have guided prayer time every day. On the Eighth Day: Praying Through the Liturgical Year My husband just introduced me to this book and I love it! The book walks you through the rhythms of the church calendar with a scripture-focused prayer and a reflection.

The Feast of St. Mary , celebrated on August 15th, offers a precious opportunity for Christians worldwide to honor the exceptional life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This day holds deep significance as it commemorates the pivotal role Mary played in the salvation narrative. Since blue is the symbolic color of Mary, why not make a Blueberry Lemon Tart? This delectable treat not only tantalizes your taste buds but also symbolizes virtues closely associated with Mary like fidelity, purity and humility., Blueberry Lemon Tart Pastry : 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons sugar Pinch kosher salt 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold, in chunks 1 large egg, separated 2 tablespoons ice water, plus 1 teaspoon Filling : 4 large eggs 1 cup sugar 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 5 lemons) 1/4 cup heavy cream 1 lemon, zested Pinch kosher salt 1 pint blueberries To make the pastry, pulse the flour, sugar, and salt together in a food processor. Add the butter and pulse until the dough resembles cornmeal. Add the egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of ice water and pulse again until the dough pulls together. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Roll the dough up onto the pin and lay it inside a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough into the edges of the pan and fold the excess dough inside to reinforce the rim. Cover the tart pan with plastic wrap and put it into the refrigerator for another 30 minutes to rest. To bake the shell, heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the tart pan on a baking sheet and prick the bottom of the dough with a fork. Cover the shell with a piece of parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dry beans. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the parchment and weights. Lightly beat the egg white with 1 teaspoon water and brush it onto the bottom and sides of the tart shell; set aside to cool. Whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon juice, cream, zest, and salt. Add the blueberries to the cooled tart shell and pour the filling over the blueberries. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. The curd should jiggle slightly when done. Cool to room temperature, remove from the tart ring, and serve. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/blueberry-lemon-tart-recipe-1943234 Helpful Links: How to Celebrate the Feast of St. Mary, the Virgin

The Feast of the Transfiguration is coming up on August 6th! It is an extremely important event in the life of Jesus. So many pivotal things are revealed during this story, Jesus' divine nature, his authority given by God, his fulfillment of the Old Testament Law and Prophets...the list goes on and on! In the story, Peter recognizes the moment's significance and suggests that he build three tents, one for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. I thought a cute way to celebrate this day would be to construct a "mountain" on your dining table and top it with three graham-cracker chocolate tents. Just for fun, I added some sprigs of rosemary stuck in little cubes of cheese! Note: Make sure that you make more than three tents if you have more than three kids! To make the "mountain", turn a large pot upside down on your kitchen or dining table. Cover with a brown tablecloth or brown fabric. To make the "trees", take a sprig of rosemary or a sprig from a tree or bush, insert the tip of the sprig into a small cube of cheese. Graham Cracker and Chocolate Tents 3 Tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips 2 Tablespoons water 2 packages of graham crackers Place the chocolate chips and water in a microwaveable bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, stir and then continue microwaving in 30-second increments, stirring until smooth. Break graham cracker sheets in half. Cover a square with melted chocolate and set it down. Place two other squares on top of the square covered in chocolate and let them come together to form a teepee. Hold the teepee together and spread melted chocolate where they join together. Set aside and allow the chocolate to harden. Serve up on a "mountain" with little trees and enjoy The Feast of the Transfiguration! Helpful Links: How to Celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration Celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration With Chocolate Silk Pie

Happy first day of August! This is an exciting month in the Liturgical Year; we are still moving through the season of Ordinary Time, the longest season of the Church Year. We start with The Transfiguration where we marvel at the meeting of heaven and earth in the body of Jesus and we end by celebrating St. Bartholomew's Day, honoring a faithful disciple of Jesus. Follow along as I share everything you’ll need to celebrate every special day this month, including the history, recipes, and traditions. Helpful Links: The Feast of St. Mary, Mother of Our Lord The Feast of St. Bartholomew

Today is the feast of St. Mary! It’s the day that we remember and celebrate Mary, the mother of our Lord. We honor her today and are thankful for her humble obedience and her “yes” to the call that God had on her life. Mary has been celebrated by the Church from the earliest days of the Church. We are thankful for the upbringing that she provided to Jesus. We are also thankful that she continued to support Jesus in his ministry and that she was one of the few who remained with him all of the way to the end even to his death on the cross. We are thankful that even after Jesus’ death, Mary was in the upper room with the disciples, waiting and praying for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I love what the book “Lesser Feasts and Fasts” says - What we can believe is that one who stood in so intimate a relationship with the incarnate Son of God on earth must, of all the human race, have the place of highest honor in the eternal life of God. A paraphrase of an ancient Greek hymn expresses this belief in very familiar words: “O higher than the cherubim, more glorious than the seraphim, lead their praises, alleluia.” Ways to Celebrate: Make something with rosemary. Rosemary is the herb associated with St. Mary. Legend has it that the blossoms of the rosemary plant were white until Mary stopped to do laundry during the holy family’s flight to Egypt. Mary threw her blue cloak over a rosemary bush to dry and the flowers have been blue ever since. One of my favorite ways to use rosemary is this easy roast chicken recipe from The Pioneer Woman. You use lemons, rosemary and a lot of butter. It’s tender and so flavorful! Lemon and Rosemary Roast Chicken 1 whole Chicken, Rinsed And Patted Dry 3/4 c. Butter, Softened 3 whole Lemons 4 sprigs Rosemary Salt And Pepper, to taste Preheat oven to 400 degrees (convection bake. If you're using a standard oven, you can do 425.) Zest two of the lemons. Strip the leaves off of one of the rosemary sprigs and chop it up finely. In a bowl, combine softened butter, lemon zest, rosemary, and salt and pepper to taste. Line a baking sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil and lay the patted-dry chicken on the foil, breast side up. Use your fingers to smear the butter mixture all over the chicken, under the skin, and inside the cavity. Cut the lemons in half and squeeze the juice of one lemon all over the chicken. Place the six lemon halves (if they'll fit!) and the three remaining rosemary leaves into the cavity of the bird. Place the chicken into the oven and roast it for 1 hour, 15 minutes or until done. Skin should be deep golden brown and juices should be sizzling.

Celebrate the season of Ordinary Time with fruit! The season of Ordinary Time is all about growth and flourishing and fresh fruit is a perfect symbol to use! Where I live figs are in season. My sweet neighbors live down the street and let me pick as many figs as I want. It's my favorite time of the year! I am picking and harvesting figs as fast as I can! I love how the seasons of the Church often coincide with our agricultural calendar. I think the ripening of figs is such a beautiful symbol for Ordinary Time. It reminds me of the story in Mark where Jesus curses a barren fig tree that should have been flourishing and full of ripe fruit. During this season of Ordinary Time, let us grow and flourish in our faith like the fig trees that are bursting with abundance. Fig Ice Cream (But any fruit will do!) 2 cups fruit 1/4 + 1/8 cup of sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla whole milk or a non-dairy alternative xanthan gum (if you use a non-dairy alternative) Use a blender for this easy recipe! Fill the blender up to the 2-cup mark with fruit, and add your liquid to the 3-cup mark. Add 1/4 cup + 1/8 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and if you're using a non-dairy liquid, 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum. Blend until smooth. Pour into an ice cream maker and freeze. Enjoy!

Today is the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. It is a feast to honor the martyrdom of both men since they were martyred around the same time (67AD). St. Peter was a fisherman and became one of the first followers of Jesus. He was the first to recognize that Jesus was the Messiah. He was bold but also impulsive. After his baptism in the Holy Spirit, Peter became one of the main leaders in the early church. He was chosen to be an apostle of the Church and spent his last years in Rome where he led the Church through persecution. He was martyred and was crucified upside-down at his own request, because he said that he was not worthy to die as his Lord did. He was buried on Vatican hill and St. Peter's Basilica was built over his tomb. St. Paul was originally known as Saul. He was a Jewish pharisee who persecuted Christians in Jerusalem. As Saul was walking one day, he was surrounded by a great light from heaven. He became blind and heard a voice from heaven saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Saul answered,“Who are you, Lord?” and the voice said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Jesus instructed Saul to continue on to Damascus where Saul was baptized and his sight restored. He took the name Paul and spent the remainder of his life preaching the Gospel tirelessly to the Gentiles. Paul was imprisoned and beaten over and over. In the end, he was taken to Rome, where he was beheaded. He is buried in Rome in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Ways to Celebrate: Since St. Peter was a fisherman, eat fish, go fishing or play a game of “Go Fish”! Since St. Paul was a tentmaker, have your kids make a tent using sheets and blankets.