This is Advent • Nov 19

Join us on November 19 at 5:30 PM on the Pavilion as we explore meaningful ways to celebrate Advent. We’ll share dinner together, then adults will enjoy a time of learning about intentionally observing Advent while children take part in a special activity just for them. This gathering is always a wonderful time of connection and reflection—a beautiful way to begin Advent!

• Date: Nov 19, 2025

• Time: 5:30 pm

• Location: COTA Pavilion

• Nursery provided

The Longest Night • Dec 21

Advent is a season of joy and preparation, but we also recognize that many may experience the painful sense of grief and loss. To acknowledge and support those who grieve during this season, we will hold a special service on December 21st. We hope you may find a sense of God’s presence and comfort in this space. Contact Fr. Mark DiCristina or Dcn. Susan Godwin for more details.

• Date: Dec. 21, 2025

• Time: 5:30 pm

• Location: COTA Sanctuary

Advent Wreaths • Nov 30

One of our favorite ways to celebrate Advent is with an Advent Wreath. An Advent Wreath is such a wonderful visual symbol to remind us that Advent is a season of joyful waiting for the coming of our Savior. Everything about the wreath is symbolic and is an excellent teaching tool. The shape of the circle and the evergreens represent eternity. Candles represent a time of preparation and purification as well as the light or presence of Christ.

Wreaths, candles, and greenery will be provided but if you have your previous year’s wreath please bring it.

• Date: Nov 30, 2025 - after both services

Posada • Dec 1 - 24

Posada (Spanish for "inn") is a beautiful tradition from Mexico that reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem.

We celebrate this tradition to COTA in our own unique way. Icons representing Mary and Joseph—created in previous years by artists in our church—will travel from home to home during Advent. As each family receives and passes along the icons, we invite you to connect with one another. It can be as simple as sharing tea and cookies.

Sign-up’s are open, and will continue through December as spots are available. Let’s journey together this Advent.

To sign up, click this link or contact Ruth Seawell: ruth@apostleseasternshore.org

• Date: Dec. 21, 2025

• Time: 5:30 pm

• Location: COTA Sanctuary

Epiphany Pageant • Jan 4

This year we will hold our annual Epiphany Pageant during the 10 AM service on Sunday, January 4th. COTA’s Children Choir and Youth Band will be featured in this year’s Epiphany Pageant. There is a spot for everyone! Please let Ruth Seawell know if your child is interested in participating in this year’s pageant. If your child has a preferred role, please let Ruth know. There are no guarantees, but it helps to know preferences. (But, please remember, there can only be one Mary!) There will be an info/costume meeting, a practice, and a costume pick-up. More information on those dates to come.

We will need volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering to help with the Epiphany Pageant, please contact Ruth Seawell (ruth@apostleseasternshore.org).

• Date: January 4, 2026

• Time: 10 am

• Location: COTA Sanctuary

Women’s Little Christmas • Jan 10

Finish your Christmas season with a one-day COTA women's retreat, Saturday, January 10th. Over the years, around the world, women have gathered after Epiphany to recover from all the holiday busyness and catch up with friends. Called "Little Christmas" - Nollaig Beag- or "Women's Christmas" - Nollaig na mBan - it has built a culture of appreciation for women during the festive season. The tradition offers a model for honoring the often-overlooked contributions women make to family and community life and for strengthening the community of women. Hoping to start our own COTA tradition, we will gather Saturday at 9:00 am for a retreat led by Ruth Seawell, reflecting on our everyday life as a gathered body of Christ's followers and what that can mean for the year ahead. Oh, and yeah, it will conclude with a visit to the "pub", a Little Christmas tradition! Look for sign up information soon. Contact Ruth Seawell for more info: ruth@apostleseasternshore.org.

• Date: January 10, 2026

• Time: 9 AM to 5-ish PM

Tree Burning • Jan 6

Our annual burning of the Christmas trees marks the end of Christmastide and the beginning of Epiphany. This tradition symbolizes Christ’s coming as a light into a dark world. Come and celebrate by the light of this Christmas tree bonfire at the Deese home on Tuesday, Jan 6th at sunset. Trees can be dropped off at the top of the parking lot in the designated area following Christmas Day.

• Date: Jan 06, 2025

• Time: 4:45 pm

• Location: Deese’s Home: email office@apostleseasternshore.org for address