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8 Simple Ways to Celebrate The Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi

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Icon of St. Francis of Assisi drawn with a white outline surrounded by illustrations of birds, flowers, and leaves with a dark background.

October 4th is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.

As the patron saint of Italy, ecology, animals, and archaeologists, St. Francis of Assisi is remembered as a kind and gentle man who loved animals, nature, and people. He inspired many to embrace the wonder and beauty of all things and beings created by God as he advocated for the equality of the more-than-human world and humanity.

There are many fun ways to celebrate this holy day—with perhaps the most adorable being a Blessing of the Pets worship service. So, we tried our best to narrow it down. Here is a list of eight simple ways for humans of all ages to connect with nature and celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.

1. Create a zoo featuring your favorite animals

Use simple craft materials, play dough, or blocks. As you build and create, explore the different biomes your animals live in and talk about what things they need to thrive.

Two children sitting at a table in a library reading a book. One child points at a picture in the book, both children look engaged with what they are reading.

2. Visit your local library to learn more about animals you think are weird, creepy, or gross

How does learning more about them change the way you feel towards them?

3. Learn about endangered species

Look up the list of endangered species. Are you surprised to see any animals on this list? How does reading through this list make you feel? 

4. Remember species that have gone extinct

Light a candle or hold a moment of silence for species that have gone extinct. What role did humans play in their extinction?

Three children sitting in grass. Two children cuddle a puppy with short black fur while one child cuddles a kitten with fluffy gray fur.

5. Show your pets or stuffed animals they are loved

Find special ways like extra cuddles, playtime, or treats. For pets who have died, remember them. Say their name, look at pictures, and tell stories.

6. Spend time outside

Make a list of creatures you notice, or draw the nature patterns you see.

7. Make a nature-friendly craft

Check out these window decals that help migrating birds stay safe.

A warm, vibrant mosaic of St. Francis holding a scroll in one hand and a bird in the other. He stands between a bush full of birds on one side and a sheep and wolf on the other. The moon is near his head on his right and the sun is near his head on his left.

8. Read, listen to, or sing along with some of the nature-inspired prayers, poems, and songs St. Francis wrote.

Two examples are The Canticle of Creatures or All Creatures of Our God and King (these are two of my favorite versions: Rain for Roots, Gungor).

Alleluia Poster: Get Ready for Easter

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Alleluia Easter Poster

Ready to Download Your Alleluia Poster?

We’ve put the files together in a ZIP file, and we’ll send you the link when you click here to download your Alleluia Poster.

Originally created at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, this continues to be a beautiful and fun poster to create for your home or your church.

Alleluia Poster

Alleluia Poster for Families
Note: We do not include a pre-colored version of the file – the files come as B&W PDFs.

We designed this Alleluia poster illustration so that it could be colored and displayed in homes around the world. And we want you to have it for FREE!

We hope our Alleluia Poster will be one more way you can add some color and beauty to your home and your community.

Alleluia Posters

This poster is designed in our new Mosaic Poster Tiles format and comes formatted for both US Letter (8.5×11) and A4 paper. Here are some additional details:

  • Your download of the ZIP file will include two versions of the poster: a US Letter (8.5×11) file and an A4 file.
  • US Letter (8.5×11): You will receive a small version that fits on one 8.5×11 sheet of paper and the poster version (which requires four sheets of paper and measures 20.39″x14.67″ when you’ve assembled and taped together).
  • A4: You will receive a small version that fits on one A4 sheet of paper and the poster version (which requires six sheets of paper and measures 22.44″x16.14″ when assembled and taped together).

Below you can see some photos that give you an example of what it will look like when you’ve printed it, colored it, and assembled the poster tiles.

Happy Easter!

Download it, email it to friends and families in your congregation, and share the link on social media! We hope you’ll share photos of these Alleluia Posters, and if you post them on social media, make sure to either use the hashtag #illustratedministry or tag us (we’re @illustratedmin on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest).

Ready to Download Your Alleluia Poster?

We’ve put the files together in a ZIP file, and we’ll send you the link when you click here to download your Alleluia Poster.

Alleluia Download Poster

On Pentecost Unleash the Astonishing Power and Presence of God’s Holy Spirit

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pentecost with kids

So…Pentecost. Where did it come from? What is it? And how can you talk about it with kids?

Not until I was in my ministry career did I know what Pentecost was. If this is you, no shame. Some churches don’t celebrate it. On the other hand, some churches celebrate it without much explanation at all.

A quick side note here: It doesn’t help anyone to assume that people thinking about the liturgical calendar and know what’s going on. Most people have no idea. And to assume otherwise often leaves people feeling excluded and bored. Furthermore, what a missed opportunity to reveal the power of your tradition and God’s presence among us!

So, explain the history behind Pentecost, because some of us don’t know and because we all can use a refresher. OK, stepping off the soapbox.

Pentecost is all about God’s presence with us through the Holy Spirit. How do you experience God’s presence? We’d love to hear in the comments below!

pentecost with kids

A Shift of Focus at Pentecost

Pentecost is an event we celebrate every year in the Church. And its roots are actually in scripture. If you haven’t already, give Acts chapter 2 a read.

In the Acts story, the disciples were celebrating Festival of Weeks AKA Shavuot AKA Pentecost, a Jewish harvest festival seven weeks after Passover. In Hebrew, Shavuot means “weeks.” In Greek, Pentecost refers to the same thing. But instead, it means “fifty,” the number of days rather than weeks after the last Sabbath of Passover.

What the disciples experienced on this particular Pentecost shifted their focus entirely. It was a pivot in their theology and their faith and ministry practices.

pentecost with kids

A Promise Kept

Jesus promised that a comforter, teacher, and advocate would come to take his place. Enter the Holy Spirit on Pentecost! Acts 2:1-31 tells the story of the Holy Spirit coming to dwell with the disciples.

All that gathered together that day spoke in tongues, and there was something like fire around each of them. It was an amazing day for them. And it would prove to be an extraordinary day for the whole of the faith community.

In the Christian tradition, the Holy Spirit became a part of the picture of what we now call Pentecost. Jesus made a promise and kept it. Pentecost turned out to be a day of fulfillment. The disciples knew they weren’t alone in their work.

pentecost

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit, really the Trinity, is a tricky topic. Since we’ve been conscious creatures, we’ve been searching for ways to talk about God that make sense of our experiences in the world.

The Holy Spirit is the way we speak of God’s presence among us. The Spirit speaks to us, pointing us in the direction that serves us. The Spirit heals us, offers comfort and instruction, and somehow guides Life as she has her being in and through each of our lives.

Talking with Kids About Pentecost

A great way to speak to kids about Pentecost is while coloring! Reflection takes place, and conversations happen when kids are engaged around the table. Invite kids to color together while discussing the following:

  1. Take a moment to close your eyes. Notice where you feel your breath as you breathe. You may feel a faint tingling in your hands or the soles of your feet. God is with us even now as we breathe together, in every part of our body and breath.
  2. We use the name Holy Spirit when we talk about God being here within us and all around us. How might you describe God’s presence using your words? “When God is with me, I feel/things are…”
  3. In the Pentecost story, the Holy Spirit was with the disciples. The Holy Spirit arrived and helped everyone there connect, even though they spoke different languages. How does the Holy Spirit help us use our words to connect with others? Maybe in talking through a conflict or in sharing stories or encouraging each other?
  4. How might it be difficult to understand someone even though they speak the same language as you? And how about when we don’t have much in common with someone else?
  5. The Holy Spirit helps us experience hope, freedom, compassion, understanding, and connection. In what area of your Life can the Holy Spirit help you experience these things now?

pentecost illustrated children's ministry

Pentecost Coloring Pages

We have many options for coloring pages when it comes to Pentecost. One of them, our Pentecost Coloring Page & Poster, is a hand-drawn illustration by our founder, Adam Walker Cleaveland, and can be used in any number of ways to help you celebrate Pentecost in your congregations.

The illustration consists of hand-lettering that says Pentecost in the middle. At the top of the illustration are the words “I will pour out my Spirit.” At the bottom, beneath all the flames, are the words, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Happy coloring! I hope you experience God’s presence anew within and around you this Pentecost.

How do you experience the Holy Spirit? Don’t forget to share with us in the comments below!