Seven Ideas for Holy Week at Home

Even the best laid plans…

I planned for Holy Week. Then I planned for drive-in-style children’s ministry during Holy Week when large gatherings were banned. Then I planned for take home resurrection gardens and Holy Week in a box. With the church closed under the shelter at home directive in Illinois, the deliveries of take home supplies have been returned to the shipper. The order stays into effect until April 8, the middle of Holy Week.

Keeping in mind the potential for families to experience information overload amidst an abrupt change in routine, here are seven options for Holy Week at home:

Resurrection Gardens could be planted at home using any kind of container. We are all about improvising these days! Click here for Resurrection Garden Instructions or to a video we created. (We had some fun attempting to channel our Martha Stewart style).
Have families assemble and use their own Holy Week in a Box.
Create Easter flags while reading the stories of Holy Week.
On Maundy Thursday, bake bread and read through the stories of Holy Week using this script I assembled, extinguishing one candle for each day.
Create a poem about the meaning of the resurrection.
Talk about transformation while making crosses from wood scraps.
We are working with churches in our community and beyond to create yard art for Palm Sunday and Easter. Use what you have to make Hosanna! and Hallelujah! art. Be sure to tag your church on social media and use the hashtags #athomehossana and #athomehallelujah to share with everyone.