A personalized gift is unique and meaningful, but sometimes hard to find, especially when you want it to stand out and feel special. That’s why I created Hide and Seek Scriptures personalized verse cards, to make finding the right gift a little easier. We personalize daily Scripture cards with the name of the person you choose, so every time they read one, they are reminded of God’s faithfulness. The name Hide and Seek Scriptures was inspired by Psalm 119:10-11, “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” And it is my prayer that with each set gifted, hearts will be encouraged and drawn closer to the God who loves them. The Bible is God’s love letter to us all.
When you give someone Hide and Seek Scriptures personalized verse cards, you help them to keep His words close. There are currently more than ten different theme sets to choose from making Hide and Seek Scripture cards a great and unique gift for anyone and everyone! Learn more and order at www.hideandseekscriptures.com and 251-219-0522.
-Kate Yates, Founder Hide and Seek Scriptures
Like and follow Birmingham Christian Family on Facebook to learn how you can be entered to win a gift pack of Hide and Seek Scriptures!
There is no better way to celebrate the holiday season in Nashville than gathering your family for holiday fun during A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland. Marvel at acres of twinkling lights and decorations, plus fan-favorite and all-new holiday activities, including I Love Christmas Movies immersive pop-up experience featuring ELF™, CHRISTMAS VACATION™, and more! Outdoor fun includes private horse-drawn carriage rides, a nightly tree lighting and caroling on the Magnolia lawn, and a nativity display featuring special lighting effects and an audio rendition of the beloved biblical story. A Christmas Getaway to Gaylord Opryland is the first giveaway of Birmingham Christian Family’s 12 Gifts of Christmas Reader Giveaways! The package includes a two-night room accommodation for up to a family of four (one room) plus admission to the all-new Holiday Marquee Event and tubing plus one day admission to SoundWaves. The package also includes resort fees, taxes and self-parking for one vehicle for a total value of $1100!Like and follow Birmingham Christian Family on Facebook to learn how you can be entered to win.
TO SAY THANK YOU for reading and supporting the businesses and organizations that advertise with us and make spreading Good News possible, we have TWO GREAT GIVEAWAYS this month to give you a night off in the kitchen and enjoy the holidays.
Another way to win! Simply visit www.BirminghamChristian.com/Recipes to submit a recipe and get some great recipe ideas! Submit your recipe by 11/15/2020 for chance to receive $50 Magnolia Gift Certificate. Next Winning Entry to be drawn 11/16/2020.
A Christmas Getaway to Gaylord Opryland is the top prize for the 2020 12 Days of Christmas!
As we continue to celebrate our 20th year of spreading Good News in our community, all of us at Birmingham Christian Family wanted to do something special for readers like you who spread that Good News with your family and friends each month- either sharing a print or digital issue or reading and sharing one of our articles on-line. So, get ready to enjoy our 12 Days of Gift Giving from our Family to Yours! The fun starts on Black Friday, November 27 with a Christmas Getaway to Gaylord Opryland($1100 Value includes lodging and tickets) and here’s a sneak peek at some of the other great gifts including a Filson Duffle Bag from Mark’s Outdoors, a Nativity Scene and Ornament from Prodigal Pottery, an Art Class and Art from Dixon Creative Hoover, a Hide & Seek Scripture Gift Pack and much more! Follow us on Facebook for details on all our gifts and how to enter.
If your business would like to be part of our Great Gifts Special Section of the December issue be sure to email [email protected] or call her at 205-408-7150. A big thanks to our advertising partners who make the gift-giving possible and most importantly help us share the gift of our Savior Jesus Christ with readers every month!
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1
We all know bugs like lamps and bright lights. All you have to do is look up at a streetlight after sunset to see a swarm of insects gather. Typically, you only have to worry about the porch light, and even then, there are outdoor lighting options that will not attract bugs. But there’s one time of year when lights could pose an issue. Yep, we’re talking about holiday lights and whether or not bugs are attracted to them.
The Weather is on Your Side. One thing that works in favor of homeowners is the weather. The holiday season is smack dab in the middle of the coldest season. Most insect species are hunkered down for the winter and aren’t very active during the holidays.
Use LED Lights. The bugs that are around during the winter may be drawn to a bedazzled house. That is, unless you use LED lights. In recent years there has been debate over whether or not LED lights are the best option for holiday decorations. While it’s true LED lights aren’t bug-proof, they do emit very low UV levels, which attracts fewer insects.
Light Color Matters. These days you can get holiday lights in any color. The color you choose for your illuminated decorations could make a difference in how many bugs are attracted to the display. Have you ever wondered why most bug lights are yellow? A study from the University of Agriculture in Faisalabad, Pakistan found that insects prefer cool colored lights compared to warm colored lights. The research showed that up to 70% of insects went for lights at the blue end of the spectrum.
Why Christmas Tree Lights Aren’t the Biggest Concern. Even the simplest Christmas trees are wrapped in at least one or two light strands. Lights are one of the last things you have to worry about on a Christmas tree. The tree itself is going to attract pests that are looking for a home or wood to chew on. They may have even hitched a ride to your house from the tree farm. Decorations made of food and candy are also more likely to attract bugs.
We’re not professional holiday decorators, but the technicians at Vulcan Termite and Pest Control Inc. are expert exterminators. We can help you get rid of yard pests before you put up the decorations so there are fewer bugs to worry about during the holiday season!
As you are looking for unique gifts for Christmas, buy locally made pottery pieces, ornaments, mugs and more online at www.prodigalpottery.com and also locally at King’s Home Thrift Stores. Made by women escaping homelessness and domestic abuse, Prodigal Pottery is created at the King’s Home Shelby women’s shelter. In addition to employing the residents of King’s Home Shelby, Prodigal Pottery employs women from the Wellhouse, which is a safe house in Birmingham which serves women fleeing sex-trafficking.
A Prodigal Pottery nativity scene and ornament will be given as one of Birmingham Christian Family’s 12 Gifts of Christmas Reader Giveaways. Like and follow Birmingham Christian Family on Facebook to learn how you can be entered to win.
Science experiments have never been more fun! As a part of their STEM curriculum, the fourth-grade students at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School recently used everyday items to perform some interesting experiments to help the students understand the concepts. Pictured here are Alexander Johnson and Garrison Owens testing the power of static electricity by using a balloon rubbed on their hair to pick up Rice Krispies cereal.
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School fosters the religious, academic, and social development of every child, recognizing that knowledge enlightened by faith and realized through service is at the heart of Catholic education. To learn more about Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, visit olsschool.com. â€
The holidays are just around the corner! Get a jump on your shopping at Samford Legacy League’s Holiday Gift Market on Thursday, November 5 from 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene in Vestavia Hills.
Members of Samford Legacy League’s Holiday Gift Market Committee include (L to R): Kathy Clay, Cindy Anderson, Inga Clum, Terry Morgan, Kristen Comer, Paula Gossett, Phyllis Crocker (chair); not pictured: Karen Register, Sharon Smith, Jeanna Westmoreland. The Market is being held at First Church of the Nazarene, 1998 Shades Crest Road, Vestavia Hills.
Visitors to the market will find a variety of fabulous goods, including jewelry, art, handmade soap, candles, specialty foods, seasonal items and more. Admission to the Holiday Gift Market is free! Proceeds will help provide scholarships to Samford University for students with significant financial need and challenging circumstances.
The Holiday Gift Market, held for the past five years in conjunction with the Legacy League’s annual Christmas Home Tour, is now an independent event. “We wanted to have the Holiday Gift Market as a separate event so more people in the community can come and shop,” said market chair Phyllis Crocker. “It’s the perfect time for people to do their Christmas shopping.”
The Samford Legacy League is a volunteer organization which works to provide life-changing scholarships for students who have faced extraordinary challenges, including homelessness, inner-city violence, foster care and death or disability of a parent or sibling. The Holiday Gift Market is one of many annual fundraisers the organization holds to support its mission.
Due to COVID-19, vendors and visitors will be required to wear masks. Market vendors will be spread out to allow social distancing. For more information about the Holiday Gift Market, including a list of vendors, click here. â€
Meeting the practical needs of people in the name of Jesus is a great way to share the Gospel through actions. Daniel Cason Ministries is once again hosting their annual Thanksgiving outreach “I Cared Enough” in which volunteers will help meet the needs of the homeless, helpless, hurting, hungry and hopeless in our community. Sponsors are needed to help ensure this year is another big success!
Canned goods are a big item needed for this year’s “I Cared Enough” Thanksgiving Outreach. Your organization or church can help by hosting a food drive now. Seen here is Daniel Cason (center) with Synovus employees who supplied canned goods for the ministry’s food pantry just when they needed it most!
During the “I Cared Enough” outreach on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, those in need in our community will receive free groceries. Then on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, free clothing, toiletries and school supplies for children will be distributed from the ministry’s headquarters at 538 7th street North, 35203 (corner of Graymont Avenue).
Additionally, the ministry is sending teams into the ten most needy communities in the city of Birmingham to distribute groceries, clothing, toiletries and school supplies. St. Mark United Methodist has already committed to lead two teams, but more team leaders are needed. Businesses and churches willing to collect canned goods for the event are also needed. Simply call 205-365-1800 or email [email protected]. You can drop off canned goods or donations at Liberty Church, 2732 Old Rocky Ridge Road, Birmingham, AL, 35124.
Join Daniel Cason Ministries on Nov. 24-25, 2020 to bless those in need in our community with the love of Christ, groceries and much more! Seen here are volunteers sorting food for families in need.
Daniel Cason Ministries also creates relationships with the community through: K.I.D.S. – Kids in Divine Service Music and Arts Training, K.A.S.P. – Kids After School Program, Due to Covid restrictions, these programs are waiting to resume when possible. The ministry’s Our Daily Bread hot meals, Bread of Life Feeding and Clothing have been able to continue. Learn more at www.danielcason.org.
A $10 donation will feed a family of four for Thanksgiving! Drop off your donations no later than Monday November 23.
You can help Daniel Cason Ministries reach more people with the love and compassion of the Savior throughout the year by contributing monthly and/or volunteering. This is a perfect mission opportunity for church small groups, Sunday school classes, worship teams and individuals. It is easy to donate and keep track of your contributions because Daniel Cason Ministries has an administrative system with the National Christian Foundation. Simply make checks payable to National Christian Foundation. In the Memo section of the check, write: K.I.D.S./Daniel Cason Kids Ministry #117157. Mail to: National Christian Foundation/Alabama, 400 Office Park Drive, Suite 201, Birmingham, AL 35223.
Cason adds, “Remember, people really don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care! One person can’t do everything, but everyone can do something. Please help us!” Visit www.danielcason.org or call 205-365-1800 to partner in this life changing ministry. â€
Are you interested in creating a unique piece of art? The team at Dixon Creative, located in Hoover, is ready to guide you through the process. Karen Dixon, owner of Dixon Creative, says that this art space was designed to encourage creativity and provide a space where guests can escape and relax for a few hours.
You can learn how to create fused glass similar to the pieces above in a Beginner Class at Dixon Creative. Classes start at just $10 for children. Click here to view more class options.
Dixon opened her studio on February 29 and had to close on March 15, due to the coronavirus. While the timing was anything but ideal, Dixon says that she is hopeful for the future. She adds that she made it through the tough time of uncertainty by creating art for others and being with her family. Her son, Jess, and her daughter in law, Darcy, are part of the Dixon Creative team. Dixon first became interested in art, specifically fused glass during graduate school at UAB. “It was a way to deal with the stress of graduate school. It gradually evolved into teaching a fused glass class,” she shares, adding, “I’ve always loved working with my hands.” When she discovered glass as an art form, she quickly realized that was her passion.
A group of friends learning how to create a beautiful piece of art at Dixon Creative. The team is working hard to ensure every guest is safe by limiting the number of people that can be in the studio at one time, ensuring guests wear masks and sanitizing the space between classes.
Dixon believes everyone has creativity inside of them. It’s simply “a matter of finding what inspires them,” Dixon says. She always enjoys when people come into the studio and leave delighted with their artwork. “It’s fun and rewarding for me to see them excited about what they have created.”
What can you enjoy when you visit Dixon Creative? There are classes available for children with a curriculum that follows state guidelines. These classes include projects appropriate for children ages 5-12. Dixon Creative also welcomes groups of friends or family to come enjoy a night of art and community.
In addition, the studio hosts monthly Art and Craft Markets where local artists come and display their products for guests. The markets are free to attend, and every purchase helps local artists continue to create. Mark your calendars for the next Art and Craft Market on November 21 & November 27 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. To learn more about Dixon Creative, visit www.dixoncreative.art.
As a part of Birmingham Christian Family’s 12 Days of Christmas reader giveaways, on November 29, 2020 Dixon Creative Hoover is giving away an art class and art, Value $50. Like and Follow Birmingham Christian Family on Facebook for details on how you can be entered to win.
-Melissa Armstrong
The team at Dixon Creative is ready to help you imagine and create a unique piece of art.
A personalized gift is unique and meaningful, but sometimes hard to find, especially when you want it to stand out and feel special. That’s why I created Hide and Seek Scriptures personalized verse cards, to make finding the right gift a little easier. We personalize daily Scripture cards with the name of the person you choose, so every time they read one, they are reminded of God’s faithfulness. The name Hide and Seek Scriptures was inspired by Psalm 119:10-11, “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” And it is my prayer that with each set gifted, hearts will be encouraged and drawn closer to the God who loves them. The Bible is God’s love letter to us all.
-Laurie Stroud Franklin
As you are looking for unique gifts for Christmas, buy locally made pottery pieces, ornaments, mugs and more online at 
Brought to you by: Community Partner Covene, 
-Brought to you by: Community Partner, Convene
