By Jeni Huff

I’ve been working at the synod office for more than ten years and I’ve been on staff at my home congregation for two-and-a-half years. While I worked only at the synod office, I understood that it was quiet around the office in the summer and around Christmastime and Lent because church staff persons were busy at church and not looking for support from the synod at those times. But my brain didn’t make the connection that when I joined a church staff, I would also be busy at those times.

Someone once told me that, when you start working for the church and seeing “how the sausage is made,” your perspective can change. Boy, was she right!

I’ve been going to church since I was in fourth grade and seasons like Advent just seemed cozy and twinkly. Somehow the church just decorated itself and kids just magically knew what to sing and say in front of the church.

“I’ve been going to church since I was in fourth grade and seasons like Advent just seemed cozy and twinkly.”

While many people may have just started thinking about Advent a few weeks ago, your church staff started thinking about it months ago, mulling over questions like:

  • “When should we have the Christmas Pageant? And the bake sale?”
  • “Who should buy all the ingredients for the bake sale?”
  • “Who should do the Advent readings each week?”
  • “How many Christmas services do we have the capacity to do this year?”
  • “Who will decorate the church?”
  • “What should we do for the youth Christmas party?”
  • “What is the best way to let people know about all the special events and the dates we won’t be meeting?”

I’ve heard a pastor say that Advent is easier for pastors, but it’s the admin people, the youth and children’s ministry people, the decorating people, the volunteer coordinating people, and the communications people who are feeling a heavier lift during this season. (And I know many of these people are not even paid to do this important work!)

 

AT MY CHURCH I work mostly with Family Ministry and Communications. (But, “other duties as assigned” is a pretty loose term in church work, am I right?) You might be surprised to learn we started planning the Christmas Pageant at the beginning of the school year. We set the date, started thinking about the songs the kids would sing, and started creating graphics to advertise it months ago.

And the role of a parent adds to the challenge of enjoying the season. I need to help my kids remember their lines and songs for the pageant and keep track of which days we don’t have Awana or MOPS, not to mention the school programs and the gatherings with friends and families! That is an added load that many of us also carry. 

“The admin people, the youth and children’s ministry people, the decorating people, the volunteer coordinating people, and the communications people are likely feeling the heavier lift during this season.”

All of this is to say that making Advent look all cozy and twinkly when you walk into church on December Sundays doesn’t happen by itself. Several people put in hours (and hours) of work to tell you what time and day to walk into church and to make it all cozy and twinkly.

Maybe the next time you see these folks, give them an extra smile and a joyous thank you for all their hard work. Drop off a Christmas card or bring them some of your extra Christmas cookies! In my experience, a little appreciation goes a long way!