August 2022 Craft: Lights Shining in the Darkness

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By Jacqui Larsson, Territorial Social Justice Ministries Director
Territorial Social Justice Department

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'” Matthew 25:40

Basic Idea:
Men, women, and children who are caught in trafficking situations are imprisoned, bound, tied to the person who has them in their grip, oppressing them from the freedoms God would want each of us to experience. We are surrounded by people in need, we see the hungry and destitute people on the streets, those who are sick and suffering, but we are often blind to the world of human trafficking as, although it happens all around us, it happens in the shadows, in places of darkness, and increasingly on the internet behind closed doors. Just as God saw Hagar in the desert and appeared to her, offering comfort, and calling her by name, and just as Jesus saw the outcasts in society and crossed boundaries to talk to them and offer love and healing, so we are called to open our eyes and see the hurting world around us. May we look in the darkness and see those in need as we shine God’s love into the shadows of despair.

The rubber bands, twine, string, or yarn in this craft represent the imprisonment of those trapped in human trafficking. The act of cutting these from the jars, represents what God can do through us, “to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness” (Isaiah 42:7). The light placed inside the vase/jar, represents His healing and restoration – creating a new life of beauty. The light shining through the vase represents the love of God, like rays of sun, shining into the darkness.

Pray silently through each step of the craft you will be making. Think about those who are suffering. Pray that wherever they are, they may find freedom and healing. Pray that God would open our eyes to see those around us who are hurting, and that we would be his hands and feet for the trafficking victims and survivors hidden in the darkness!

Supplies:

  • Vases or Jars – various sizes (places to buy: Dollar Store, Walmart, TSA Family Stores)
  • Straight Razor to remove stickers from the bottom (optional)
  • Something to create lines on the vases – various thicknesses of ⦁ rubber bands, twine, string, or yarn (maybe not too thin)
  • Scissors
  • Krylon/Montana Cans Spray Paint in the color of your choice
  • Gloves (optional – if you don’t like getting paint all over your hands and nails)
  • Tea Lights

Instructions:

I have to start by saying that I am not a “crafty” person, in fact I think this is the first time in my life that I have sat down by myself and created a craft in my spare time – so if I can do this craft…anyone can 12 There were moments of frustration for me as a “crafting newbie” (my blue paint did not cooperate) but as I put this together I intentionally used the time to pray for those caught in trafficking, and the moments of messiness reminded me that life is messy and the journey of a trafficking survivor is often filled with twists, turns and challenges! I hope you enjoy the process as much as I did!

  1. Use a straight razor and scrape off any price tags and remove any sticky residue with soap and sponge, giving it a good cleaning overall.
  2. Tightly wrap the rubber bands, twine, yarn, etc. around the vases/jars – far apart or close together. Feel free to overlap them, leaving a cute criss-cross look.

(If using yarn or string, tape the ends on the underside or the inside so they stay in place.  Don’t place the tape on the outside of the jar where you will be painting.)

  1. Cover an area in newspaper so you’re ready to paint! Spray one coat for a more sheer, frosted look. Spray more coats for a more opaque look, but paint each coat lightly, waiting 5-10 minutes in between. Let dry. (My blue spray pain was a different brand and did not work well, so I covered it in gold which gave an “interesting” two-tone effect).
  2. After the paint is fully dry cut the rubber bands, twine, etc., off.

My rubber bands were very tight so when I cut them, they “pinged off” and I had to go back and remove some of the paint, but it came away from the glass easily. The blue/gold paint left a slightly jagged line (because of the paint layering), but looked beautiful when the tea light was lit.

  1. Place tea lights inside. And…enjoy the beautiful rays of light shining into the darkness! So pretty!

Chorus Suggestion:
To be like Jesus!
To be like Jesus! This hope possesses me, 
In every thought and deed,
This is my aim, my creed; 
To be like Jesus! This hope possesses me, 
His Spirit helping me,
Like him I’ll be.
(Song #328, The Salvation Army Songbook 2016 North American Edition)

Enjoy your beautiful vases! I hope that every time you light yours you will remember those trapped in human trafficking, spend a little time in prayer for them, and seek God to guide you in ways you can make a difference in their lives.

Download printable directions for this craft:

Aug-2022-CraftDownload

Note: Check out this month’s Bible Study, To Be Seen By God, and this month’s devotional, Eyes Wide Open, that coordinates with this craft. Also check out the resource Red Flags and Responses.

July 2022 Craft: Suncatchers

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By Becky Luke
Corps Program Coordinator
Ray & Joan Kroc Center, HI – Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division

Supplies Needed:

  • Coloring pages printed on basic white printer paper. Picture needs to fit in the mason jar lid. If your coloring pages are too large for the mason jar lid, custom print at a lower percentage.
  • Mason jar lids (wide or regular mouth)
  • Any type of oil – this is the element to make your coloring page translucent
  • Cotton balls
  • Scissors
  • Twine or Ribbon
  • Glue – Tacky Glue
  • Paper towel – to protect work area and absorb excess oil

Instructions:

  1. Color your coloring page using watercolor paints, markers or any other material you choose.
  2. Once colored, use a cotton ball to apply oil to your art. Make sure to cover all the paper. You don’t have to drench the paper, just cover completely. Dab excess oil up with a paper towel or tissue and allow to dry for about 5 minutes.
  3. Using the mason jar lid, trace a circle around the art and then cut the circle, inside the line so the art fits inside the mason lid.
  4. Apply a little bit of glue inside the lid and place the art in the lid, art side facing outward.
  5. Wrap twine around the lid, tie a knot to hold in place. Leave at least 4″ of twice and tie a knot at the top so you can hang your sun catcher.

Download printable instructions of this craft.

June-2022-craftDownload

June 2022 Craft: Sea Glass Ideas

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By Major Nancy Helms
Spiritual Care Director – College for Officer Training

Any of the ideas below can easily be made from sea glass/pottery.  If you can’t get to the beach to find your own, you can purchase it in bulk at a good price online.  It might be faux, but that’s okay. Make sure to look for smooth pieces that aren’t too big.  If you want to be exact with the technical pieces like the cross or hummingbird, you can tape a template to the other side of the glass and then remove it once pieces are glued in place.  Really, you can make anything you want with a good template.  For the song and notes, I just glued pieces onto a scrap block of wood I previously sanded down.  My manger scene is made with sea pottery, but you can use glass, too.

For pictures you will need:

  • Small frame (purchase at Joanne Fabrics or Michaels)
  • Sea glass
  • E 6000 glue
  • Or a block of scrap wood
  • Windex and small cotton device to remove excess glue

I also enjoy creating temporary sea glass stackers. I find it to be good spiritual therapy. I pray for myself and others as I place each piece in the stack. It reminds me of the body of Christ, and how we all fit together to form God’s Church.

If you aren’t crafty, but like coastal décor, it’s fun just to collect glass and place it in jars, vases, bowls, etc., to place around the house.

Sometimes, I will take a piece like this, that has a little groove and rub it between my fingers while I ponder God’s amazing grace and deep ocean of love for me.

Note: Check out this month’s Bible study, Transformed Treasures, and this month’s devotional, Sea Glass and Souls, that coordinates with this craft.

May 2022 Craft: Scavenger Hunt Masterpieces

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By Major Noelle Nelson
Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary – Golden State Division

Note: This is a group activity with craft and Biblical application.

This activity works well for one group, several smaller groups (like at a retreat), or even for a Zoom event! In this case, at a regional Women’s Ministries Mini-Retreat held on Zoom, each Corps group created their own ‘masterpiece’ and shared the final project for everyone to see. The ‘crafting’ element can be especially appreciated by ladies who may not be into traditional crafts.

Basic idea:
First, the ladies scurry to find the items on a list. Then they work together to create a ‘Masterpiece’ sculpture with the found items! (but they don’t know that part yet…)

Supplies:
⦁ String and/or tape (to hold things together if needed)
⦁ A list of random items
⦁ Camera to photograph the ‘Masterpieces’ (phone camera is perfect)

Scavenger Hunt:
The ladies will work in teams. Create a list of random, but not hard to find, items for the ladies to find. Ten to fifteen items is good, but you can do more depending on the energy/motivation level of your ladies. You will be reading this list to them, one item at a time.

Sample list:

  1. A pen
  2. Something brown
  3. A mint or piece of gum
  4. A bobby pin
  5. Something green
  6. A book
  7. Something from nature
  8. Lipstick or lip balm
  9. A food item
  10. A napkin or tissue
  11. A stamp
  12. Something made of fabric
  13. Something red
  14. A rubber band
  15. Nail clippers

Note: Each group only needs to find ONE item from each category (example: a group of 5 ladies only needs to find one nail clipper, not 5 individual nail clippers)

Read one item at a time, giving the ladies time to scurry about looking for the item. Once each group has the item, move on to the next item. The same item cannot be used more than once. For example, a tree branch (something from nature) cannot also be the ‘thing’ that is green. They must find something else that is green.

Once all items have been found, announce to the ladies that they will now use these items, and ONLY these items (plus the string or tape if needed), to create a one-of-a-kind Masterpiece! Three to five minutes should be enough time for the ladies to work together to create a fabulous, or fabulously silly!, work of art. An extra ‘touch’ would be to challenge the ladies to name their masterpiece creations, like in a museum. If working with only one group, the ladies can make suggestions for a title and vote on it!
Make sure each group photographs their Masterpieces. Perhaps you can print them for a ‘Museum of Masterpieces’ display to hang on the wall in inexpensive frames. Tack on a little sign with the chosen name(s) of said Masterpiece(s), and you’ve got a winner for all to admire and enjoy!

Biblical Application:

There are days when we feel completely put together. We look good, we feel good, and we have confidence enough to conquer the world! But then there are the days when we feel like a hot mess. Your hair is not cooperating. It’s 10 pm and your child has informed you that the popsicle-stick-art project is due… at 8 am tomorrow morning. Somehow a red towel made it into the laundry, and your husband’s white undershirts are now a vibrant pink. Not much is going right, life is hectic, and, frankly, you feel like you’re made up from bunch of random stuff just thrown together. But, just as we took random stuff and created a fun masterpiece, God takes the seeming randomness of our lives and turns it into something of great value. On the days when we feel the most worthless, like the contents of the ‘junk drawer,’ God does not throw us out! He redeems every part of our lives to create a beautiful masterpiece.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

Right now, the Holy Spirit is at work in your life. He is forming you, molding you, and shaping you as you bring the love of Jesus into the world. Take heart, ladies. For you, my friend, are a MASTERPIECE.

Chorus suggestions:
⦁ Change My Heart, Oh God
⦁ Spirit of the Living God

Attached are some samples of completed Scavenger Hunt Masterpieces.

Download printable instructions for this craft activity:

May-2022-craft-activityDownload

April 2022 Craft: Resurrection Garden

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By Lt. Faith Hartt
Klawock, AK Corps – Alaska Division

As Easter approaches my thoughts wander to the garden that early Sunday morning when Mary Magdalene was overjoyed to see her risen Savior. What better way to draw emphasis to Christ’s redemption for believers than a mini model garden scene of the resurrection?

Supplies:
⦁ Large bowl or pot
⦁ Moss
⦁ Flowers and plants (real or artificial)
⦁ Potting soil (if using real plants)
⦁ Small pot or cup
⦁ Small decorative rocks
⦁ Large stone
⦁ Cross

Instructions:

  1. Begin preparing your Resurrection Garden by placing rocks and soil in the bottom of the bowl or container that will hold your garden.

2. Take the small pot and place sideways in the bowl in the location you want for the “tomb.” You can glue rocks on the rim of the cup if you like.

3. Place rocks on either side of the “tomb” so the pot doesn’t roll back and forth while you decorate. With your leftover decorative rocks you can make a tiny stone path.

4. Arrange the plants and lay out the moss over the top and sides of the tomb.

5. Lastly, place the cross on your mini version of Mt. Calvary behind the tomb. Then take the large stone and put it next to the entrance.

Enjoy your Resurrection Garden! I hope that every time you look at it that you would be filled with the strength and hope that comes from knowing that our Lord Jesus conquered death. He is alive forever and ever, Amen!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3 ESV

Download printable instructions of this craft:

Resurrection-Garden-April-2022Download

March 2022 Craft: Umbrella Holder for Towels or Flowers

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By Major Vicky Villanea
Santa Maria, CA Corps – California South Division

NOTE: This craft is in both English and Spanish

Materials/ Material:

⦁ 10 Palitos de Elote
⦁ 1 Gancho de Alambre
⦁ Tela
⦁ Pistola de Goma y goma
⦁ Cinta
⦁ Cinta Floral
⦁ Decoraciones: cordon, perlas, flores, etc.
⦁ Alicate
⦁ Alambre grueso y delgado
⦁ Tijeras

⦁ 10 Skewers
⦁ 1 Wire Hanger
⦁ Hot Glue Gun
⦁ Hot Glue Sticks
⦁ Fabric
⦁ Ribbon
⦁ Floral Tape
⦁ Decorations: pearls, flower, diamonds, etc.
⦁ Pliers
⦁ Thin and Thick Wire
⦁ Scissors

Step 1: Cut the top of the skewers. Join the 4 skewers together to form a triangle. Next use a good amount of glue and wire to join the triangles and add support.
Paso 1: ImageJuntamos 4 palitos formando un triangulo. Ponemos bastante goma y alambre alrededor para soporte.

Step 2: Form an arch with thick wire and bend the ends to hook them together. Place 37 cm of wire and form a half arch.
Paso 2: Formamos un arco con el alambre grueso y doblamos las puntas para enganchar entre 37 cm de largo y formamos un medio arco.

Step 3:Place the wire on the previous triangle and bring down 6 cm on both sides to make a curve
Paso 3: Montamos el alambre en el triángulo y bajamos 6 cm de los dos lados

Step 4: Join the first triangle with the arch by gluing the arch on top. Place 3 skewers on top of the wire with hot glue to form a basket.
Paso 4: Formamos la curva para el triángulo que va encima. Ponemos 3 palitos encima con goma y van a quedar sobre el alambre para formar una canasta.

Step 5: Cut 8 skewers to be 8 cm long. Join 2 skewers with hot glue that will form a V shape: having 4 V shapes in total.
Paso 5: Cortar 8 palos de 8 cm cada uno y unirlos de dos en dos en forma de V.

Step 6: Take the wire hanger, cut the sides with pliers to use only the hook, and stretch out the bottom part. Glue the hook to the triangle and add the thin wire for support.
Paso 6: Con el gancho de alambre, corten el alambre de los lados con alicates, y estirar el alambre.

Step 7: Place the V shape skewers on the triangle arch in the way that the V shape skewers will be taller than the arch forming the peaks of the umbrella
Paso 7: Con los palitos en forma de V coloquen en el triángulo en manera que los palos sean más altos para formar los picos de la sombrilla

Step 8: Wrap the whole shape in floral tape to add support
Paso 8: Envolvemos todo el triángulo en cinta floral para fortalecer la forma

Step 9: Cut fabric to the size of the triangle
Paso 9: Cortamos tela al tamaño del triangulo

Step 10: Form the triangle with the fabric using hot glue on the peaks of the triangle cut towards the middle, fold the fabric, and glue down
Paso 10: Forramos primero el triángulo con goma los extremos y en los picos cortamos hacia el centro y doblamos la tela y pegamos

Step 11: Once everything is covered giving the shape of the peaks, cut the triangle on the backside, and glue the fabric to the first triangle
Paso 11: Cortamos el triángulo de atrás y pegamos a los lados tapando el primer triángulo

Step 12: Once everything is covered, decorate the way you would like
Paso 12: Una vez todo este forrado lo decoramos con sus detales

Tú eres mi refugio; tú me protegerás del peligro y me rodearás con cánticos de liberación.  Salmo 32:7

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

Download the printable version of the directions for this craft.

March-2022-CraftDownload

January 2022 Craft: Pom-Pom Wreath

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By Captain Allison Struck
Nampa, ID Corps – Cascade Division

Theme: Awakening to God’s Call

This wreath is a fun, inexpensive craft that can freshen up a room, with soft, neutral colors.

Talking Points:

“ See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

  • The New Year can be a refreshing new start or can feel a little bit discouraging if we choose to focus too much on the past.
  • We can choose to look at the New Year as a chance to “awaken” to God’s individual calling for each of us. That His call can motivate us to devote ourselves to a new thing- serving others, deeper family relationships, better self-care.
  • Let this be the year that we awaken fully to God’s call and devote ourselves to letting Him do a new thing within us and through us.

Alternate/Addition: A new decoration in our home in the New Year can be just what we need to let the old things go and allow God to do something new in us as we awaken to His call for each of us. A new decoration that we create ourselves, from simple items, is a great way to get the creativity flowing for a great new thing!

As you make the pom-poms, maybe they can form your prayer list for the New Year. Use each one as an opportunity to pray for your children, your co-workers, church leaders and more. Or, let them represent some of your plans for the New Year- the small ones can represent your goals and hopes. As you look at them throughout the next few months, let them be an encouragement to you that God wants to keep making us new as we respond to His call.

Supplies Needed:

  • 2 (364 yard) skeins of yarn ***The saver (economy) yarns tend to work better for this project than some of the fancier yarns because they are stiffer. $3/skein is about the price you can expect to pay. This is also a great project for using up yarn.
  • Clover Pom-Pom maker (pictured below) **There are cheaper versions of the pom-pom maker on Amazon. They are not recommended, as they are not as sturdy as the Clover brand.
  • Wire wreath form, pictured below (8 inch recommended)
  • Sharp scissors with a fine point
  • Ribbon for bow, if desired

INSTRUCTIONS
**This most likely cannot be made in one session. If doing as a group class, use the time for demonstrating how to use the pom-pom maker and how to tie them onto the wreath.

(1) Using directions from Clover, wrap the yarn around the plastic maker. You will want at least two sizes of pom-poms for your wreath.
a. An 8 inch wreath will need about 25 pom-poms to look full
b. Two or three colors is fun, but an all-white wreath is a really pretty, neutral decoration

(2) Before tying the pom-poms down onto the wreath, set them on top of the wreath form to make sure you have enough of each size to go all the way around the wreath and cover any gaps.

(3) Using leftover yarn, slide a piece of yarn under the pom-pom and then tie it tightly to the wreath form. After tying a few, it may be necessary to tie them together in the back to hold them up. This just takes a couple of tries to get the pom-poms tied tightly enough to stay upright.

(4) After all pom-poms are on the wreath, make sure there are no remaining gaps and then attach a bow to the top, if desired.

Clover Pom-Pom Makers
https://www.amazon.com/Clover-3129-Maker-Multiple-Pack/dp/B07R187DT2/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=clover+pom+pom+maker&qid=1627425024&sr=8-2

Wire Wreath Forms
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=wire+wreath+form+8+inch&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

Download the printable version of the directions for this craft.

Pom-Pom-Wreath-Jan-2022Download

December 2021 Craft: Wise Men Seashell Ornament

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Submitted by the Intermountain Division

This craft is incredibly versatile in that it can be adapted for any age and as simple or complex as you would like it to be and adapted to fit any budget.

Some variations include Cardstock with sticker shapes for the Wise Men, Felt and felt pieces, instead of shell for older groups use a piece of stained wood.

Supplies Needed:

  • Half of a large, scalloped seashell (purchase on Amazon or from a local hobby store)
  • Decorative small seashells (purchase on Amazon or from a local hobby story)
  • Hot glue gun with glue sticks
  • 2-inch-think Twine to hang ornament; cut into 5-inch lengths.
  • Strips of fabric or ribbon
  • Materials for floor such as sand, twine, branches, etc.
  • Foam or bead star

Directions:

Step 1: Wipe out large seashell with water and dry thoroughly.

Step 2: Select and sort into groups for Wise Men which small shells you would like to use.

Step 3: Glue down flooring. This can be glitter glue, sand, yarn, etc. I dried corn husks.

Step 4: Glue down Wise Men. Make sure to loop ribbon, fabric etc. around the body before gluing the head and crown. This can be any color or type that you want.

Step 5: Glue down presents. These can be small boxes like I used, square pieces of other material, etc.

Step 6: Glue star to the top of the shell.

Step 7: Wrap twine three times around to create a stronger loop. Put a dab of glue on the side that is being glued to the- shell to hold the pieces together.

Step 8: Glue twine to the back of the shell. To hide the glue on the back of the ornament, choose another shell to place over the area where the twin is affixed.

Allow craft to dry flat for at least 24 hours.

Download printable directions of this craft.

December 2021 CraftDownload

Note: Check out this month’s devotional, A Gift of Significance and the Wise Men Seashell Ornament craft that coordinates with this Bible study.

November 2021 Craft: Edible Thanksgiving Turkeys

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Submitted by the Southwest Division

Ingredients
1 cup of chocolate chips or premade chocolate frosting
30 candy corn candies
6 chocolate sandwich cookies
6 mini peanut butter cups
6 malt balls
1 cup of red frosting
6 chocolate sandwich cookies with top cookies removed
Red frosting in a piping bag

Directions:

  1. Place the chocolate chips in a medium stainless steel or glass bowl. Set the bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate has melted, about 4 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly. Or to make your life easier, simply use premade chocolate frosting.
  2. For each turkey, push 5 candy corn candies, tip side down, into the cream filling of a chocolate sandwich cookie to make the feathers for the turkey. Lay the cookie on a work surface.
  3. Dip the flat, larger end of a peanut butter cup in the melted chocolate allowing any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Place malt ball above the peanut butter cup to make a head of the turkey.
  4. Dip the flat end of the white candy corn tip into the chocolate. Place on a malt ball, to make the turkey beak. Refrigerate until the chocolate has set, about 10 minutes.
  5. Place the red frosting in a piping bag. Using scissors, cut a small opening in the end of the popping bag. Pipe a small piece of frosting under the malt ball to make the turkey beard.
  6. Place a cookie (with top half removed) on a platter. Stand the turkey upright into the cream filling. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Note: Check out this month’s Bible Study, 10 Reasons to Praise the Lord, and this month’s devotional, The PERFECT Thanksgiving, which coordinate with this craft.

October 2021 Craft: Sand Jar Craft

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By Lt. Mony Oregel
Stockton, CA Corps – Del Oro Division

Supplies Needed: (You can find everything from your local dollar store)

  • A container – glass or plastic with a wide mouth
  • 3-4 different colored sands (1 should be a neutral, natural color of sand)
  • A spoon
  • A funnel
  • An artificial succulent or any flower of your choice
  • Seashells and/or craft rocks

Check out the following videos for detailed instructions on how to make this craft.

Sand Craft part 1:

Sand Craft part 2:

Note: Check out this month’s Bible study, Seeds of Potential, and this month’s devotional, I See You. God Sees You. You Matter, that coordinates with this craft.