Fall Fun

Fall brings about a season of change. For some it means heading back to school. For others it means the last few weeks before the weather turns frigid and outdoor activities are no longer an option. That is unless you count scraping your windshield, shoveling the driveway or running to avoid the cold. Fall is a great opportunity to gather friends, family or small group and do some activities together. It is important to slow down and fellowship before the busy holiday season ramps up. Fall typically brings about the start of small group, sports teams and new classmates. Each of those presents an exciting opportunity to get to know those around us and be a witness for Christ.

Sharing about your relationship with God doesn’t have to be intimidating, it can be something as simple as sharing a copy of Risen Magazine with a co-worker or classmate. Inviting a friend to a fall festival outreach at your church or grabbing a pumpkin spice latte with a neighbor to get to know them.

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.” Daniel 2:20-22

Recently our Risen staff took advantage of the fall season for quality time with friends and family and sharing about what God is doing through Risen. Risen publishers Allan and Megan Camaisa took their family to New York Fashion Week. In addition to getting to be a part of Kenneth Barlis’ show, they also shared about what Risen was doing with people they met including Bachelor contestant Caila Quinn. Risen Editor Kelli Gillespie spent a week at the Toronto International Film Festival interviewing Lupita Nyongo, David Oyelowo and other actors for our upcoming issues. One of Gillespie’s highlights was getting to show Oyelowo the recent issue of Risen with him on the cover.

While it may seem like the Risen staff is busy traveling, working on projects, and doing interviews for the magazine, it is also important to slow down and fellowship with God and each other. The staff recently attended a leadership retreat where they enjoyed getting to fellowship and being filled by other faith leaders. Slowing down can be faith-based activities or it can be just relaxing and spending concentrated time with family or friends. Gillespie and Risen writer Mei Ling Nazar took their families for a day trip to the local museums to enjoy the free museum month festivities. It was a great reminder to be intentional about spending time as a family despite busy work and social calendars.

Check out pictures from our fall adventures on our Instagram and Facebook and share with us which ones are your favorites!

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,” Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

Risen Reflections

Host a fall festival, Blocktober party or Halloween alternative. Many churches and community organizations put together fall festivals or family-friendly alternatives to Halloween. It is a great opportunity to invite your friends, neighbors or co-workers who may not attend church but are willing to check out an event. Often times at the events, the gospel message is shared in an inviting way. If your church or community doesn’t have one, consider hosting one with a group of families. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. It might just be ordering some pizzas, having some games or activities for the kids and hanging out. If you do want to take it to the next-level, there are many churches that share what they do so that others can host similar events.

Take a day or weekend trip. Whether it is a pumpkin patch, museum, special event, or concert, gather your friends or family together for a special trip. Research local places that have fall activities. Many places have free or reduced tickets available depending on the time of your trip.  Pray about who God would like you invite to join you. Ask God to protect the time and that He would use it to draw you closer to one another and closer to Himself. It might be a friend that is intimidated about going to church, but is open to talking about spiritual things. It might be a co-worker that is going through a rough time. It might be a new classmate or teammate. Or your family might just need some time to connect with each other. At the end of the day, ask everyone to share what their favorite part of the trip was.

Enjoy nature together. Plan a hike, bonfire, hayride or paint pumpkins together. Ask the group to share things they see that display God as creator. It can be the details of a leaf, the stars in the sky or the birds chirping. You can even pick out some Psalms to read and reflect on together as a group. Take time to slow down and journal about what God is showing you. Thank Him for the character qualities you see displayed through nature. It might be helpful to ask the group to leave their devices off, on mute or even in the car. This will enable everyone to not be distracted and be able to engage with one another and with God.

Have another fun way you enjoy the fall? Share it with us on Facebook!