Planning Manual

A Community Outreach Event

FALL FESTIVAL Planning Manual Table of Contents

2 As You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Event Countdown Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Overview of Activity Stations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Craft/Snack Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Game Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Storytelling Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Group Event Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Coloring Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Notes for Next Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Thank-You Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Planning and Publicizing Your Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

© 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted only to the original purchaser and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization.

Planning and Publicizing Your Event Hosting a Fall Festival is a wonderful way to share the saving news of Jesus’ life, love, and salvation with families in your community—those who already have a church home and those who do not. As you plan your Fall Festival activities, this manual will assist you in making your event(s) both fun and spiritually meaningful. The Christ-centered books and gifts referred to in this manual can be supplemented with a variety of additional items available through CTA’s website. The key to reaching families both inside and outside the church is to invite as many families as possible. You will want to get the word out early and in many formats. Think about using postcards, door hangers, media ads, and perhaps even homemade posters displayed in local businesses. Church members can hand deliver flyers to their neighbors and also to local preschools, Christian day schools, and day-care centers. You might even mail invitations to neighborhood children and their parents. Visit www.CTAinc.com/Free for customizable Fall Festival publicity materials.

Other details to consider as you plan: • Review the large-group event options (see pages 16-19) to decide which one works best for your congregation. • Begin to encourage donations from congregation members four to six weeks before the event. Alternatively, cash gifts can be used to purchase items you need. • You can’t have too much help! Encourage volunteers of all ages to join in the effort. • Provide Goodie Bags for all participants to use as they visit each center. CTA has developed attractive bags you can purchase very inexpensively. To order the Fall Festival Goodie Bags and other Christ-centered Fall Festival items, visit our website: www.CTAinc.com. • Arrange for volunteers to help those children not accompanied by adults. • Have an indoor backup plan for each outdoor activity on the schedule in case of inclement weather. • Ask members of your congregation to pray for this outreach event!

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As You Begin Use this guide to design an event that lasts from 60 to 120 minutes. You can adapt the ideas to any size group. Participants (children and parents) will visit three centers before the Group Event (trunk or treat, hayride, or harvest meal). • As families enter, have them register. Collect names and other information you will need to make future contact with them. • Give all visitors a Fall Festival brochure from each congregation or church group sponsoring the event. • Divide the participants into three groups by colors. Sticky dots placed on clothing work well. Keep family members together in the same group. • After registration, invite families to gather in a “holding area.” Musicians or volunteers with audio equipment and instruments or CDs can lead the group in Christian songs. A coloring page that can be copied and handed out has also been provided for use at this time (pages 20-21). • When it is time to begin, welcome everyone, explain what you have planned, and point everyone to the focus of your celebration— praising and thanking God, the giver of all blessings, most especially the blessing of Jesus, our Savior.

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EVENT COUNTDOWN Choose publicity formats. • Postcards • Posters • Door hangers • Flyers • Media ads • Invitations

• Your organization’s website • Newsletter

Information to include in your publicity: • Ages of children invited to participate • Date, place, and time of your event • Names and addresses of all participating churches • A list of other fall events and Thanksgiving services each church plans to offer Order Christ-centered CTA products. Don’t forget to order Goodie Bags! Choose the large-group option that works best for your congregation. Create an indoor backup plan for each outdoor activity. Design and print simple registration forms for families to fill out when they arrive. Mount game directions on separate pages of stiff cardstock.

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Overview of Activity stations Three volunteer “walkers” (wearing colorful, matching T-shirts or holding brightly colored flags) will each lead a group to one of the three activity stations. As each group is dismissed by color, volunteers should take note of the time. At 15-minute intervals, the volunteers will help their group rotate from station to station. It will help if a coordinator blows a whistle each time the groups are to move. After each group has visited all three stations, participants will gather together for the culminating Group Event (trunk or treat, hayride, or harvest meal).

POST A REQUEST FOR DONATIONS

For the Craft/Snack Station Graham crackers Plastic knives Raisins Small paper plates

Icing M&M’s candies Licorice laces Ziplock bags

For the Games Station • Hurried Harvest (no supplies needed) • Blessings from God Small, unbreakable item, such as CTA’s bookmarks, for each child • Turkey Trot Orange or brown crepe paper strips • Blessings Abound! Small, medium, and large balloons Gifts for everyone, such as CTA’s S.H.I.N.E. bookmark and Scripture smarties (Item #SNE2JBKCA) For the Storytelling Station Pumpkins and carving supplies CTA’s Pumpkin Prayer bookmark (Item #PPR2JAK) for every child or another Pumpkin Prayer item

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Recruit Volunteers Be specific about what kind of help you need Publicity designer Publicity team to distribute flyers, invitations, etc. Musicians or volunteers to lead the group in Christian songs Three volunteer “walkers” to lead groups to stations Leaders for the Craft/Snack Station Leaders for the Game Station Storyteller (or storytelling team) Volunteers to help children not accompanied by adults Prayer support team Large-group event coordinator and, if you choose Trunk or Treat Families who will host a trunk People to provide hot chocolate and cookies Face painters

Craft/Snack Station Place a graham cracker square on a paper plate for each participant. Also set out several small bowls containing the following: icing, plastic knives, M&M’s candies, raisins, and licorice laces. Ask participants to name several blessings God has given to them. Say, When you remember all the ways God blesses you, how do you feel? Humbled? Happy? Thankful? Use the items on the table to design a face that shows how you feel. Participants can ice the graham crackers and then use the edible items to create faces that reflect their gratefulness to the Lord. As they work, encourage participants to talk about a special blessing they have received from God. What makes this blessing so special? Also remind everyone that Jesus far surpasses any other blessing. He is the best blessing of all! Participants may eat their snack or place it into a ziplock bag for later.

Servers for a hot chocolate booth People in charge of warming area

and, if you choose Hayride Drivers Devotion leader People to provide refreshments

Safety volunteers for wagons Refreshments coordinator Refreshments servers

and, if you choose Harvest Meal People to donate food Decorators Serving crew

Cooks Setup crew Cleanup crew

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Game Station Choose the following games that will work best in your setting and will be age appropriate for the children who attend. Before each game, the leader will explain how the game is played. The leader should also explain how the game can remind everyone of the many blessings our God has given to us—especially the blessing of Jesus, our Savior. Tip: Game directions may be mounted on separate pages of stiff cardstock for quick and easy reference.

Hurried Harvest Overview: Participants will follow the leader’s directions: • Say, Fall is a busy time of year. Leaves need to be raked. Let’s all pretend to rake leaves. • In the fall, football and other fall sports begin. Let’s run in place. But don’t stop raking leaves. • Thanksgiving Day will soon be here, and I can hardly wait to eat the turkey and pumpkin pie! Rub your stomach, but don’t stop raking leaves and running in place for football. • Stores already have Christmas displays ready. Maybe we should start shopping for Christmas. Sing “Jingle Bells,” but remember to continue all the other actions, as well. Keep on raking leaves, running in place, and rubbing your tummies! • Let participants continue trying to keep up all four directions for about thirty seconds, then tell them to stop. Invite the group to sit down and relax. • Ask, How did it feel to do everything at once? (Responses might include silly, challenging, confusing, and impossible.) • Say, Fall can be a busy time of year. Sometimes we become too busy to stop and thank God for all his blessings. Let’s take a few minutes right now to do just that! • Invite participants to gather together with their family or join in small groups to share specific blessings for which they are grateful to God. Fall Festival tie-in: Lead the group in a short prayer to thank God for everything he gives us, especially the greatest blessing of all—Jesus, our Savior.

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Blessings from God Seat participants in a circle. (If your group is large, consider forming two circles.) Teach everyone the chant: Blessings from God. Blessings for free. Here is a blessing God gave me. Plan to pass a small, unbreakable item (such as a CTA bookmark) around the circle as everyone says the chant. The person holding the item at the end of the chant must name one blessing God has given to him or her. Continue play until everyone has had a turn to participate. Fall Festival tie-in: Remind everyone that our greatest blessing is Jesus, our Savior. He paid the price for our sins through his death on the cross. Jesus rose again, and now we can be sure that one day we will live with him in heaven. Invite the group to give three cheers for Jesus—the greatest blessing of all! Give everyone their own CTA bookmark. (For information visit our website: www.CTAinc.com. Look at the bookmarks in the Fall Festival section.)

Turkey Trot Each player will need a “turkey tail.” A strip of orange or brown crepe paper would work well. Have players tuck the strip into their waistband or back pocket. When signaled to begin, players must flap one arm like a turkey wing while they use their free hand to snatch the “tail” from another “turkey’s” waist—simultaneously protecting their own “turkey tail.” When a player loses his “tail,” he may continue to play, but must remember to flap one arm as instructed. The game ends when everyone tires or collapses in hearty laughter.

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Fall Festival tie-in: God gives us so many blessings—friends, laughter, good food, health, and so much more. The greatest blessing of all is Jesus, our Savior. He is the blessing that never can be snatched away from us. His forgiveness and love are eternal.

Blessings Abound! Fill the playing area with small, medium, and large balloons. At the leader’s signal, participants will have twenty seconds to gather up as many balloons as possible. Caution players that if they touch another player, both must forfeit a balloon. Monitor play for the 20-second time limit. Count to see who has collected the most balloons. Congratulate the winner and invite participants to sit down. Fall Festival tie-in: Say, Blessings are like the balloons. Encourage participants to name a few “big” blessings and/or “medium” and “small” blessings. Ask, Do we always appreciate our blessings? At times, we become so busy trying to gather more and more things that we neglect the blessings God has already given to us. Sometimes we fail to show Jesus’ love to those around us who need our help. I’m so glad Jesus forgives us and keeps on loving us. He helps us share our blessings with others and helps us thank God for each and every blessing we have received. Our Lord gives us the blessings he knows we can handle. But he also blesses each of us with what we need most— forgiveness and eternal life in heaven through Jesus. Hand out a gift (for options, visit CTA’s website and type “fall festival” into the search box) and remind everyone that the blessing of salvation is for all!

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Storytelling station Share the “Pumpkin Prayer” with the audience. As the poem is read, audience members could help to clean and carve pumpkins as directed in the poem. Be sure to distribute copies of the “Pumpkin Prayer” bookmark before participants leave the area. Alternative Pumpkin Prayer items are available at www.CTAinc.com.

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Group Event options

Group events can be as elaborate or as simple as you wish. Here are a few ideas to spark your imagination. No matter which group activity you choose, be sure to use the opportunity to distribute information about upcoming Thanksgiving celebrations in your congregation, regularly scheduled worship services, and other church activities. The group activity is a prime opportunity to share Christ’s love personally with visitors. As participants complete the final station’s activities, thank them for coming. Invite them to come back at any time to be a part of the fun and worship at your church. Visit www.CTAinc.com/Free for customizable Fall Festival handouts that allow you to include your church’s name, phone number, and worship times. Direct the families to the Group Event you have chosen (trunk or treat, hayride, or harvest meal). Explain basic procedures and send them on their way. After the event and cleanup, gather all the volunteers and spend some time praying for the participants, asking God to bless the seeds of faith planted at your event.

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Trunk or Treat This is a fun and safe alternative to the traditional trick or treat custom. You’ll need a large, well-lighted, and level outside area. A parking lot or athletic field works well. (In case of inclement weather, a gymnasium or large fellowship hall may serve as an alternative.) Invite families to park their cars around the perimeter of your designated area so that children can remain safely inside the ring of vehicles. Children walk from trunk to trunk as they collect treats from participants. CTA offers several inexpensive items, all with a Christ-centered focus, you might consider distributing. Some examples: S.H.I.N.E. (Share His Incredible News Everywhere) Activity book Bookmark and candy Glow-in-the-dark stacking lead pencil Folding activity card Color-your-own suncatcher Drawstring backpack Value-priced party pack! The Pumpkin Prayer Goodie bag Folding story card Activity bookmark with stickers Plastic tumbler Build-a-pumpkin activity magnet Stencil Value-priced party pack! Salvation Story Scarecrow Activity bookmark with stickers Hologram backpack tag Goodie bag Gospel Fun for Little Ones activity book Light the Night with Jesus Activity book and pencil Snap-n-glow cross necklace with bookmark Glow-in-the-dark tumbler Bookmark and candy God Lights Our Way Glow-in-the-Dark Items Silicone bracelet Shoelaces Gospel Story by Colors bracelet Ink pen Cross-shaped zipper-pull Fish-shaped necklace Lighted whistle key chain

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See our Fall catalog or the CTA website for more options. For added fun, host a hot chocolate booth, face-painting station, warming tent, or campfire inside the ring of cars.

Hayride Safety is the first priority for a successful hayride. Be sure all drivers are experienced with their vehicles, know the designated route, and have walkie-talkies or cell phones with them at all times. Drivers should maintain a safe distance between their vehicle and the one they follow. Each wagon will also need a volunteer who will ensure participants remain seated at all times. When everyone is safely back at the church or bonfire site, a volunteer might present a devotion. (Visit www.CTAinc.com/Free, and choose an appropriate devotion listed under Fall Festival.) After the devotion, the volunteer may lead participants in singing, sharing stories, and more. In addition, you may want to offer hot apple cider and cocoa for participants’ enjoyment before or after their ride.

Harvest Meal A shared meal is a great way to meet new people and get to know one another better. Your facilities will probably help you determine how elaborate a meal you want to plan. If you lack kitchen facilities, grill hotdogs outside. Participants can sit on blankets or tablecloths placed on the ground or the floor of the fellowship area. Or stage a chili cook-off, complete with prizes. Some churches may want to go all out with a turkey dinner complete with trimmings! Be sure to have adequate kitchen help and volunteers to assist with setup, serving, and cleanup. We wish you God’s blessings on your Fall Festival!

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SHINE for the Lord as you

© 2006, 2012 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted only to the original purchaser and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization.

Matthew 5:14–16 NKJV

You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light so shine.

Share His Incredible News Everywhere

Go

NOTES FOR NEXT YEAR These things went really well this year:

I would make these changes for next year:

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Dear fall festival planner, We know that planning a fall festival can be a big undertaking. To help make your planning as easy as possible, we’ve provided the thank-you note below. You can copy it and use it as it is, perhaps matting it on colored card stock or type it in the free, downloadable Thank You postcard that matches the theme for your event. Or, if you’re planning to treat your helpers with goodie bags, you could fasten this little note to the top of the bag. However you choose to use it, your helpers will feel valued and affirmed for choosing to share their time and talents. Your ministry partners at CTA

Dear Thank you for your willingness to help with our Fall Festival. You helped to share the Good News of Jesus, the Light of the World. I appreciate the time and talents you shared with the children. God bless you. Sincerely,