Cartoons through the church year can help a church speak to each season in its own voice. In Advent, a cartoon can acknowledge the December rush. At Christmas and Easter, it can make an invitation feel warm rather than formal. And in Lent or at Thanksgiving, a gentle cartoon can open up reflection and gratitude. This guide explores how churches use cartoons to carry their message from season to season, with ideas you can shape to your own calendar.
This post is part of our guide, Cartoons in church life and ministry (coming soon).
Why use cartoons through the church year?
Because every season has its own message, and people hear a lot of messages at those times of year. Cartoons through the church year can cut through that noise. It also gives a season a recognizable thread, so the bulletin, the website and the weekly email all feel connected.
Seasons also come with shared experiences that everyone recognizes, from the overbooked December calendar to the Lenten promise that lasts until Wednesday. Cartoons capture those moments well. As a result, they can help people feel seen before you ask them to reflect, celebrate or give.
How can cartoons help in Advent and at Christmas?
Advent is a season of waiting and preparation, yet for many people it’s the busiest month of the year. A cartoon about the rush can acknowledge that honestly, then invite people to slow down. Here are a few ideas churches use:
- A cartoon for each week of Advent, shared in the bulletin or on social media, building toward Christmas.
- A warm invitation to Christmas services, with a cartoon that makes newcomers feel welcome rather than judged.
- A nod to the Christmas pageant, since every church knows the joy and chaos of shepherds in bathrobes.
- A Christmas Eve bulletin with a cartoon that visitors might take home and remember.
How can cartoons help in Lent and at Easter?
Lent invites reflection, and that doesn’t mean it has to be humorless. A gentle cartoon about giving something up can be an easy way into a deeper conversation about what the season is for. Similarly, a cartoon can be a fresh starting point for a Lent study group. Our guide to cartoon discussion starters has ideas for that.
Easter is a celebration, so it’s a natural time for joy and a little fun. Churches use cartoons to brighten Holy Week schedules, Easter invitations and events such as egg hunts. Then, once Easter Sunday has passed, a cartoon can help keep the spirit going into the weeks that follow.
How can cartoons help at Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, which makes it a lovely season for cartoons. A cartoon can open a sermon or a newsletter on giving thanks, or brighten an appeal for a food drive. It’s also a good moment to thank the people who serve all year round. Our guide to cartoons for church volunteers has ideas for saying thank you with a smile.
What about the rest of the year?
The big seasons aren’t the only moments worth marking. In fact, many churches find that cartoons through the church year work just as well in the quieter weeks. Pentecost, back-to-school Sunday, Vacation Bible School, summer services and the start of a new ministry year can all benefit from a cartoon. So can the weeks in between, when a cartoon can simply remind people that church is a warm place to be.
How can you plan cartoons for the year ahead?
Some churches plan cartoons through the church year season by season. Others pick cartoons week by week. Either way, it can help to look ahead at the coming season’s themes and events, then gather a few cartoons in one sitting.
A good place to start is the Faith Collection (coming soon), which we put together for churches. It includes church life and Bible stories, from Noah’s ark to the Christmas pageant. You can also browse it by sermon theme, such as gratitude, generosity and prayer. To learn more about how CartoonStock works with churches, visit our page for churches.
What should you know about licensing?
Cartoons through the church year often appear in several places, so it’s worth knowing that the license follows where the cartoon is going. For example, a cartoon in the Christmas bulletin and the same cartoon on a community invitation are different uses. Our friendly guide to cartoon licensing for churches explains how that works. If you’re planning a whole season of cartoons, tell us your plans and we’ll help you find the right fit.
Questions about cartoons through the church year
Do seasonal cartoons have to be funny?
Not at all. Some seasons call for a laugh, while others call for something gentler. A thoughtful cartoon can be just as effective as a funny one, especially in Lent or Advent.
Can cartoons help us welcome visitors at Christmas and Easter?
They can. Many people visit church at Christmas and Easter, and a friendly cartoon in the bulletin or on the website can help them feel at ease. It may even encourage them to come back.
When is a good time to start planning?
Whenever suits you. Some churches plan a whole season at once, while others decide a week or two ahead. Either way, a little lead time makes it easier to find the right cartoon without a last-minute rush.