Create space for parishioners to be transformed this Advent.
Advent Journey: Encountering Emmanuel
What if this Advent you could help each of your parishioners enter into a transformational experience of this season that they have never had before? One that can help them allow God into deeper parts of their heart? This journey equips your parish to take a step back from the chaos of life and deepen their spiritual life. Encountering Emmanuel is an advent devotional by Heather Khym, a co-host of the Abiding Together Podcast.
The goal of this journey is to help you invite every parishioner to deepen their spiritual life and enhance their Advent season observance.
Encountering Emmanuel is perfect for individuals, families, or as part of small group discussions (there is a free downloadable PDF group study guide available that helps foster community and shared faith journey).
How to Buy the Book:
U.S. Parishes: Ave Maria >> *Buy 100+ books and get each book for $6.00 USD
Canadian Parishes: Sunrise Marian >>
A special thanks to Heather Khym and Ave Maria Press for your partnership on making this book as accessible as possible for parishes.
Customize for your parish
Everything in this package is ready-made for you to use as is or edit to make it more your own. We've created fully customizable templates in the free-to-use online design tool Canva. Use all the assets together or pick and choose what makes sense for your community.
Parishioner emails
These emails introduce the Encountering Emmanuel Study to parishioners and provide them weekly touch points with video introductions from Heather.
These emails introduce the Encountering Emmanuel Study to parishioners and provide them weekly touch points with video introductions from Heather.
Pitch the idea of Encountering Emmanuel in the parish + gauge interest in book.
Hi (Parishioner Name),
While we’re still a few months away, Advent is approaching soon and I’m very excited to invite you to join our parish community in going through Encountering Emmanuel by Heather Khym.
This book extends a heartfelt invitation for each of us to embrace stillness and silence amid life’s chaos, allowing God to dwell in the depths of our being. While the world moves at an ever-faster pace, I believe this book can be a tool to encourage us to pull back from the hustle and create space for our Savior to come into every area of their life—to transform and heal it through his love.
(Insert any guidance if you are creating groups within the parish. Ignore if you are not).
This book is a daily reflection for you, either in your own time with God or with a small group. I’m inviting everyone in our parish to participate in this during Advent as a way to make room in this season for a deep, personal encounter with Jesus.
I can’t wait to tell you more about it.
Right now, please let me know if you would be interested in purchasing it from our parish by filing in this simple form (LINK TO FORM We recommend creating a Google form). If we purchase it as a parish, we can make them available for a significantly better price for you!
In Christ,
(Pastor’s Name)
Hi (Parishioner Name),
While we’re still a few months away, Advent is approaching soon and I’m very excited to invite you to join our parish community in going through Encountering Emmanuel by Heather Khym.
This book extends a heartfelt invitation for each of us to embrace stillness and silence amid life’s chaos, allowing God to dwell in the depths of our being. While the world moves at an ever-faster pace, I believe this book can be a tool to encourage us to pull back from the hustle and create space for our Savior to come into every area of their life—to transform and heal it through his love.
(Insert any guidance if you are creating groups within the parish. Ignore if you are not).
This book is a daily reflection for you, either in your own time with God or with a small group. I’m inviting everyone in our parish to participate in this during Advent as a way to make room in this season for a deep, personal encounter with Jesus.
I can’t wait to tell you more about it.
Right now, please let me know if you would be interested in purchasing it from our parish by filing in this simple form (LINK TO FORM We recommend creating a Google form). If we purchase it as a parish, we can make them available for a significantly better price for you!
In Christ,
(Pastor’s Name)
Invite all parishioners to partake in this reflection journal over Advent.
Hi (Parishioner Name),
This Advent, I would like to invite our parish family to experience Jesus in a new way by going through Encountering Emmanuel by Heather Khym.
I’m so excited for each one of us to participate. This book extends a heartfelt invitation for each of us to embrace stillness and silence amid life’s chaos, allowing God to dwell in the depths of our being. This book can be a tool to encourage us to pull back from the hustle and create space for our Savior to come into every area of their life—to transform and heal it through his love.
(Insert any guidance if you are creating groups within the parish. Ignore if you are not).
This book is a daily reflection for you, either in your own time with God or with a small group. I’m inviting everyone in our parish to participate in this during Advent as a way to make room in this season for a deep, personal encounter with Jesus.
I would highly recommend ordering your books as soon as you can to make sure it is here at the beginning of Advent. ORDER YOUR BOOK HERE.
Please sign up here (LINK TO EMAIL SIGN UP FORM) to make sure you get weekly emails with video content to accompany this Advent reflection.
In Christ,
(Pastor’s Name)
Hi (Parishioner Name),
This Advent, I would like to invite our parish family to experience Jesus in a new way by going through Encountering Emmanuel by Heather Khym.
I’m so excited for each one of us to participate. This book extends a heartfelt invitation for each of us to embrace stillness and silence amid life’s chaos, allowing God to dwell in the depths of our being. This book can be a tool to encourage us to pull back from the hustle and create space for our Savior to come into every area of their life—to transform and heal it through his love.
(Insert any guidance if you are creating groups within the parish. Ignore if you are not).
This book is a daily reflection for you, either in your own time with God or with a small group. I’m inviting everyone in our parish to participate in this during Advent as a way to make room in this season for a deep, personal encounter with Jesus.
I would highly recommend ordering your books as soon as you can to make sure it is here at the beginning of Advent. ORDER YOUR BOOK HERE.
Please sign up here (LINK TO EMAIL SIGN UP FORM) to make sure you get weekly emails with video content to accompany this Advent reflection.
In Christ,
(Pastor’s Name)
A few days before Advent begins, send this email from Heather to introduce the book.
Hi (Parishioner Name),
Welcome to the Encountering Emmanuel Advent Journey. I’m so glad you’re joining me on this journey.
One of my deepest desires is to create opportunities for others to experience personal encounters with Jesus Christ. Writing this book has been a beautiful journey, allowing the Holy Spirit to inspire daily meditations that serve as fertile soil for authentic encounters with Him to take place.
This book is my invitation for you to embrace stillness and silence amid life’s chaos, allowing God to dwell in the depths of your being. While the world moves at an ever-faster pace, I want to encourage you to pull back from the hustle and create space for our Savior to come into every area of their life—to transform and heal it through his love.
Here’s a message from me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jZw4eGGbtg).
Jesus wants to encounter you, And I pray that using this book as your tool this Advent season, you will experience just how much He desires to meet you in the secret places of your heart where you desperately desire Him.
Everyday, I’ve written out a reflection, meditation and prayer for you. It’s all consolidated within the book, which you should have been able to pick up at your parish or ordered online.
Alongside the book, you’ll get a weekly video from me as we enter each week into one of the reasons for the incarnation and why Jesus came. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for each of us.
Yours in Christ,
Heather Khym
Hi (Parishioner Name),
Welcome to the Encountering Emmanuel Advent Journey. I’m so glad you’re joining me on this journey.
One of my deepest desires is to create opportunities for others to experience personal encounters with Jesus Christ. Writing this book has been a beautiful journey, allowing the Holy Spirit to inspire daily meditations that serve as fertile soil for authentic encounters with Him to take place.
This book is my invitation for you to embrace stillness and silence amid life’s chaos, allowing God to dwell in the depths of your being. While the world moves at an ever-faster pace, I want to encourage you to pull back from the hustle and create space for our Savior to come into every area of their life—to transform and heal it through his love.
Here’s a message from me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jZw4eGGbtg).
Jesus wants to encounter you, And I pray that using this book as your tool this Advent season, you will experience just how much He desires to meet you in the secret places of your heart where you desperately desire Him.
Everyday, I’ve written out a reflection, meditation and prayer for you. It’s all consolidated within the book, which you should have been able to pick up at your parish or ordered online.
Alongside the book, you’ll get a weekly video from me as we enter each week into one of the reasons for the incarnation and why Jesus came. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for each of us.
Yours in Christ,
Heather Khym
First Sunday of Advent email with introduction & video from Heather.
Hi (Parishioner Name),
As we enter into this first week, I want to encourage you to slow down and join in me reflecting on the person of Jesus as our Savior. I’ll share more in the video below.
(You can find the link to the WEEK 1 video in the top right of this page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jZw4eGGbtg&list=PLUK7gGiPNNfUp0vzqCSIbCaLFPK3AeHgb )
Know that I am personally praying for you as you step into this season.
In case you want something to anchor you throughout the day, I’ve also created a few wallpapers that you can use during Advent.
Yours in Christ,
Heather Khym
Hi (Parishioner Name),
As we enter into this first week, I want to encourage you to slow down and join in me reflecting on the person of Jesus as our Savior. I’ll share more in the video below.
(You can find the link to the WEEK 1 video in the top right of this page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jZw4eGGbtg&list=PLUK7gGiPNNfUp0vzqCSIbCaLFPK3AeHgb )
Know that I am personally praying for you as you step into this season.
In case you want something to anchor you throughout the day, I’ve also created a few wallpapers that you can use during Advent.
Yours in Christ,
Heather Khym
Second Sunday of Advent email with introduction & video from Heather.
Hi (Parishioner Name)
As we start this second week of Advent, I want to invite you to think about another purpose of Jesus’s Incarnation: to share in His divine life. What does that mean? And what does that mean for you personally? Your relationships with family and friends? I’ll share more in this short video.
(You can find the link to the WEEK 2 video in the top right of this page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jZw4eGGbtg&list=PLUK7gGiPNNfUp0vzqCSIbCaLFPK3AeHgb )
Praying for you on this journey, and that you are experiencing Him anew.
Yours in Christ,
Heather Khym
Hi (Parishioner Name)
As we start this second week of Advent, I want to invite you to think about another purpose of Jesus’s Incarnation: to share in His divine life. What does that mean? And what does that mean for you personally? Your relationships with family and friends? I’ll share more in this short video.
(You can find the link to the WEEK 2 video in the top right of this page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jZw4eGGbtg&list=PLUK7gGiPNNfUp0vzqCSIbCaLFPK3AeHgb )
Praying for you on this journey, and that you are experiencing Him anew.
Yours in Christ,
Heather Khym
Posters
Put up posters inside the parish and in common spaces that your community gathers. You can even put posters outside the parish if you have space, promoting to the rest of the community.
Put up posters inside the parish and in common spaces that your community gathers. You can even put posters outside the parish if you have space, promoting to the rest of the community.
Set up promotional posters in your parish and shared spaces.
Pulpit announcement
One of the most powerful ways to create momentum is word-of-mouth. Have a pastor, deacon, or lay leader introduce the book during Sunday announcements leading up to Advent.
One of the most powerful ways to create momentum is word-of-mouth. Have a pastor, deacon, or lay leader introduce the book during Sunday announcements leading up to Advent.
Letters
Whether you're the pastor of a parish or a lay leader excited about this study, these letters help layout why and how it can impact your parish community during Advent.
Whether you're the pastor of a parish or a lay leader excited about this study, these letters help layout why and how it can impact your parish community during Advent.
Flyers
Hand out flyers to parishioners for their own reminders, and to pass out to friends and family who also might be interested in doing the study over Advent.
Hand out flyers to parishioners for their own reminders, and to pass out to friends and family who also might be interested in doing the study over Advent.
Hand out flyers to parishioners or set at the back of the parish.
Bulletin insert
Use the bulletin insert to remind people that they can join the parish in reading the Encountering Emmanuel study over every day of Advent.
Use the bulletin insert to remind people that they can join the parish in reading the Encountering Emmanuel study over every day of Advent.
Promote the book in your Sunday bulletin.
Social posts
As you lead up to Advent, post a few social posts that introduce the book and invite parishioners to pick up the book at the parish.
As you lead up to Advent, post a few social posts that introduce the book and invite parishioners to pick up the book at the parish.
Promote the book in your parish
Resource page
Set up a landing page on your website with information about the author, book, links to buying the book, videos, and more. Edit this page to add your own Advent resources, events, and CTA's if needed.
Set up a landing page on your website with information about the author, book, links to buying the book, videos, and more. Edit this page to add your own Advent resources, events, and CTA's if needed.
Request from our team to help build an Encountering Emmanuel page on your parish website.
Pew card
After you've announced the study across the parish, pew cards help remind people to get their book and sign up for weekly emails.
After you've announced the study across the parish, pew cards help remind people to get their book and sign up for weekly emails.
Place a reminder in your pews leading up to Advent.
Form for book interest
This optional form can be used if the parish is purchasing books ahead of time for parishioners. It can be sent out before Advent starts, and help quickly gauge how many books you should order. We recommend using this step early on to have enough time to order.
This optional form can be used if the parish is purchasing books ahead of time for parishioners. It can be sent out before Advent starts, and help quickly gauge how many books you should order. We recommend using this step early on to have enough time to order.
Before advent starts, gauge how many parishioners are interested in buying the book from the parish.
Part 1 - Invite other leaders in your parish
If it’s feeling overwhelming to try and get other leaders excited about a parish-wide initiative, here’s a template of a letter to send to other ministry leaders. Whether you're a pastor or a ministry leader, these templates will help you invite other leaders to get excited about what this book could bring to the parish.
If it’s feeling overwhelming to try and get other leaders excited about a parish-wide initiative, here’s a template of a letter to send to other ministry leaders. Whether you're a pastor or a ministry leader, these templates will help you invite other leaders to get excited about what this book could bring to the parish.
Part 2 - Order books for your parish early
We recommend ordering books for your parish mid-October or beginning of November to make sure you get them in time! There are links for US and CAD shipping in the Journey description above. Note that if you order in bulk, you’ll get each book at a better price!
If you’re unsure of how many books to order, there is an optional email and form below to send to parishioners as a way to gauge the number of those interested. We recommend using this as a number to gauge interest and not the exact number to buy. More people will most likely show more interest closer to Advent.
We recommend ordering books for your parish mid-October or beginning of November to make sure you get them in time! There are links for US and CAD shipping in the Journey description above. Note that if you order in bulk, you’ll get each book at a better price!
If you’re unsure of how many books to order, there is an optional email and form below to send to parishioners as a way to gauge the number of those interested. We recommend using this as a number to gauge interest and not the exact number to buy. More people will most likely show more interest closer to Advent.
Part 3 - Print & create promotional materials
The next step is prepping your promotional materials. Print banners, bulletin inserts and more using the files below. Contact our Tilma Support team if you would like to set up the Web page on your Tilma Website. If you don’t have a Tilma Website, you can download any of the visuals for your own website page.
The next step is prepping your promotional materials. Print banners, bulletin inserts and more using the files below. Contact our Tilma Support team if you would like to set up the Web page on your Tilma Website. If you don’t have a Tilma Website, you can download any of the visuals for your own website page.
Part 4 - Begin promotion in the parish four weeks prior
About a month prior to Advent starting, we recommend sending your first official invite to parishioners. Tell them a little about the book and what they can expect each week of Advent. You can use these templates as is, or take from them to add in additional Advent initiatives you’ll be running. This is a way to start planting the idea in people’s minds as they begin to think through, and potentially research resources for their own Advent journey.
About a month prior to Advent starting, we recommend sending your first official invite to parishioners. Tell them a little about the book and what they can expect each week of Advent. You can use these templates as is, or take from them to add in additional Advent initiatives you’ll be running. This is a way to start planting the idea in people’s minds as they begin to think through, and potentially research resources for their own Advent journey.
Part 5 - Advent book promotion
As you get even closer to Advent, promote for book pick up at the parish. Send an email (either to the whole parish or to a specific list if you had people register for a book) to remind them. You can edit any of the assets to be more specific about where and how to pick up books.
Pick and choose which resources make sense for your parish. You can use all of these as a way to really gain momentum across the parish, or pick and choose which you want to use.
As you get even closer to Advent, promote for book pick up at the parish. Send an email (either to the whole parish or to a specific list if you had people register for a book) to remind them. You can edit any of the assets to be more specific about where and how to pick up books.
Pick and choose which resources make sense for your parish. You can use all of these as a way to really gain momentum across the parish, or pick and choose which you want to use.
Helpful Guides For Implementation
