Author: Editor

November 2024 Writing

Remove the Carpet

[AKA Old Ways Be Gone**]

“Resign” they cry
Just one alone?
Stand up in solidarity
All who share the shame.

Purge
Reconcile
Refresh
Renew

To all be fair from
Decades past to times ahead
The lens has changed
But the crime no less

Purge
Reconcile
Refresh
Renew

[** For all of us]

© Stephanie Moyes        Kingdom Arts 12.11.24

Africa

The sun beat down
The work was endless
But food grew well
Unequal sharing

The land cries out with beauty
Babies on backs
Will they stay
And grow old together?

Garments abound with colour
Reflecting sky, flowers, and birds.
Let our pallets
Mix every colour.

© Helen McNicholl     Kingdom Arts December 2024

Freedom?

Oh! my father, where are you?
Children of the earth hear the beat of the drum
Rivers of Africa turn red stained by blood of the innocent
Deep calls to deep
From the very roots and dry earth was I born.
And the red earth cries out to be released.

This country is woven into my bones.
My heritage.
Freedom is never free. It comes with a price.
Oh! my brothers and sisters of many lands
Africa welcomed you, fed you on goats’ milk and corn
And now you are being spewed out
By the very mouth of he who instils fear, rules by fear,
Will die through fear.

See beyond and dream on my people
May the soil from which we were formed remember!
Stand strong
A bruised reed will not remain broken
Freedom is not free, it has to come with a price
They do not take it, I give it
Stand free.

© Shefali              Kingdom Arts December 2024

 

November 2024 Gathering

12th November

A true celebratory mood at today’s meeting at the start of our 10th year; of course, there was a birthday cake! And we all sang Happy Birthday!

The aisle was decorated with African cloth and beautiful artefacts and a picture of the 10 modern martyrs carved on Westminster Abbey, as our theme was Africa.

Alex welcomed us enthusiastically to the beginning of our 10th year as Kingdom Arts!

We began with enthusiastic singing of “Blessed be your name” and the joyful African song “Thuma Mina”

Barbara gave a talk about Ugandan martyr Archbishop Janani Luwum, a brave and devoted Christian, passionate about his country, who was not afraid to challenge the military dictator Idi Amin and was executed for his faith and for standing up to the regime.

Sue then described some of the exciting activities which we could try, embracing the theme of Africa.

There was a table devised by Sue for making a mask, using recycled card from boxes. This was made extra challenging by limiting the colours to those of the Ugandan flag [red, yellow and black]

 

A popular table was set up for making and embellishing clay coil pots. Quite intricate and needing concentration and some skill.

 

A regular and always favourite table was the colouring of patterns in bright pen, with time to talk with each other.

 

There was also the usual opportunity for contemplative, prayerful, knitting, a lovely time for quiet reflection.

Lynn ensured that the sewing machines were available for use, as she led and advised the group to make lovely bags in African print fabrics, either with a drawstring or a folded flap.

 

The writing focus was to take inspiration from African poetry and there were varied pieces of writing and poetry.

The drumming workshop was led by Sue and greatly enjoyed.

 

To hear excerpts of the drumming,
go to the ‘Music’ option in the website Menu.

Pam kept us refreshed with coffee or tea throughout. Thank you!

We ended the morning’s activities by gathering to share our creative efforts, and the experiences. We all had an opportunity to listen to the drumming group as they performed two pieces :- the song ‘Amen Siakudumisa’  and one of the creative writing pieces, which was accompanied by ‘African’ drumming.

 

Then came the choosing of gifts, which each person brought to put into a basket, what an array of thoughtful and often handmade items. Thank you to everyone for taking part and making the occasion special and memorable.

We moved to the Magdalene room for Jan’s soup, accompanied by bread, cheese and fruit.

The beautiful birthday cake was cut and eaten! Thank you to Jane for making and decorating it.

We now anticipate our Christmas themed meeting on Tuesday 10th December 2024, when we will hear about a Nativity icon.

Coffee from 10.00, followed by worship and activities, with lunch by 12.30.

 

October 2024 Writing

Have you ever seen a blind man dance?

Watching the blind comedian Chris work with Diane on Strictly this year, has been fascinating.

I have listened to their back story, he has said that he has had to go down on his hands and knees to feel her feet, to work out how he should place his own.

He is free from all the glitz and glamour, as his focus is on what he needs to do to be a partner.

One day he blindfolded Diane and asked her to enter his world to understand what it was like for him to experience learning to dance.

What an eye opener for her!

“Light of the world you stepped down into darkness” What a feat of trust!

Experienced completely by Christ, mirrored in their journey.

“I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross”

 © Chris Graham    Kingdom Arts October 2024

Light

 He stood by my door and knocked.
I was intrigued at age 8 or 9.
Opening a chink to let in whoever.
A voice said “Come follow me Jennifer”

Time passes but always the presence
Of light and hope were and are with me.
They draw me on and open my eyes
In dark times, quiet moments
There is a touch, a shaft of light
A voice, a sense of peace and I know.

Christ knocks at our door
And when the door opens, light appears.
Slowly all is revealed.
Insight into dark places, within oneself,
In a life being lived.
In the world in which we live
All places needing healing, touch and love.

© Jenny English  Kingdom Arts October 2024

The Door

What is this chink of light through the door.
Is it a gateway to another world? How do I open the door?
Jesus said: “Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened unto you”.
The door is wooden, plain, ordinary, no gold or decoration here, but that intriguing shaft of light shining through the door frame.
Where does our ordinary life with all its stresses and strains meet eternity?
Are we brave enough to knock and have the door opened?

As a young person a closed door seems like somewhere you should not go: but as an older person it is a challenge, a gateway to new possibilities, vista and experiences. We have no experience of heaven, but we do know that God has us in the palm of his hand, and will protect us like a hen with chicks. So, what do we have to fear?

Nothing.

© Julia Holdsworth       Kingdom Arts October 2024

Opening the door

When a door is ajar, do you dare glance inside?
Who knocks on your door, dare you open it wide?
Are you thrilled to be greeting whoever’s outside?

Will your welcome be warm and is your smile bright?
But who is that someone who calls you tonight?
May Jesus enter; blessings in His voice?
Then let your heart open and your soul Rejoice!

© Barbara Rolison        Kingdom Arts October 2024

 

October 2024 Gathering

8th October

Alex welcomed us to  the start of our new year and next month we celebrate the beginning of the 10th year as Kingdom Arts!

Today’s activities were based on Holman Hunt’s famous picture “The Light of the World”, illuminated by a lantern and a superbly glittering picture.

We began with a short time of worship, including songs and prayer.

Jan B gave a talk based on the life of Holman Hunt, starting from his poverty in childhood, through his struggle to become a recognised painter and his recognition late in life. She carefully described how to interpret the picture and all the signs within it. It’s such a beautiful, symbolic and moving piece of art, which sparked off thoughts on Jesus as our light in the darkness, and the door that hadn’t been opened.

The morning’s activities were inspired by the following verses:

  • “I am the Light of the World.” John 8:12
  • “Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock, and the door will be opened unto you.” Luke 11:9
  • “Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they will eat with me.”  Revelation 3:20

We were also inspired by the symbolism in the painting:

  • Light: the lantern of conscience and the light round Christ’s head, salvation.
  • The door: the human soul. The door has never been opened,  no handle.
  • Christ is asking permission to enter: Christ himself is the door.
  • Morning star:  the dawn of a new day.
  • Weeds and overgrowth and fallen fruit: the autumn of life.

The activities, based around light, and doors were:

Making a cut-out doorway within a picture frame.

Water colours to capture shining light and embellish it with stitching. Some effective pictures evolved.

A still life with a decorative lantern, not an easy subject when the light was shining through and around it.

Colouring of patterns related to the theme, in bright pen, ideal for a quiet exchange of views.

The writing focus was to take inspiration from doors. One could then imagine scenarios of doors and what they revealed behind. There were excellent creative pieces as a result. See the Creative Writing pages.

Throughout the morning we were kept refreshed by Pam.

We ended the morning’s activities by gathering to share our creative efforts.

We then enjoyed a lunch of soup, parsnip and apple, or carrot and coriander, and bread and cheese. There was plenty of cake too! – as well as fruit for the health conscious.

—oooooOOOOOooooo—

We now anticipate our celebration on Tuesday 12th November 2024, when we will have a “secret gift” exchange to celebrate. Please wrap your gift to give (handmade or bought but significant to the ethos of Kingdom Arts), and you will be able to receive another.

As usual, coffee will be from 10.00am, followed by worship and activities, with lunch around 12.30

A warm Kingdom Arts welcome awaits all.

 

September 2024 Looking Forward

FUTURE GATHERINGS AT KINGDOM ARTS

I hope you have had a restful Summer, catching up with family and friends. I don’t think you would have found too much sun in England though! This is a reminder to everyone that we will be returning to our gatherings on October 8th at 10am. We have been planning some interesting and exciting ideas to look at and lots to help us be creative. This term we’ve decided to take as our theme “Artists and Martyrs”.

Firstly, we will look at Christian Artists and find out about them as well as looking at their work to help us understand the story behind the picture or sculpture or stained glass window.

Collage based on ‘Light of the World’

 

It’s been exciting choosing who to study first and we’ve come up with Holman Hunt’s picture of “The Light of the World” to start us off.

It’s a very famous picture but how many of us understand the details contained within it that point us to God? Come and find out!

 

The next month (12th November) we shall look at a famous 20th Century Christian martyr and their story of faith. Do you know about the statues of the 10 martyrs of the 20th Century that decorate the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey? They were unveiled in 1998. We thought it might be interesting and stimulating to investigate some of them, and their stories will certainly be an encouragement to get creative!

Click here to go to the Westminster Abbey website and see the statues

We look forward to seeing you as it’s been a long time since we met. I am sure Jan is thinking about some more delicious soups to serve to us. We shall look forward to your news and sharing together.

Kingdom Arts is such a wonderful place where an amazingly gifted, and friendly group of people come to gather each month. We come because we love meeting together, learning together, praying and singing together as well as eating and laughing together.

COME AND VISIT US ANYTIME AND EXPERIENCE THIS SPECIAL COMMUNITY.

June 2024 Writing

Heavenly Growth

God created the world
And saw that it was good.
The seeds to flourish and grow
Large and small alike.
Despite floods and drought
Still nourished in God’s folding earth
Feeding the hungry
And the yearning soul
Healing pains and minds
Bringing comfort and peace
Restoring the air we breathe,
To praise him once again
Delighting the eye
And the artists brush
Filling the air with scent
God’s breath to stir our souls
Help us Lord to protect and love
Your heavenly God-sent gift.

© Helen McNicoll Kingdom Arts June 2024

A Prayer

Oh Lord of grace and love
How you have sustained me through the darkest of times,
I was bereft until
Your tender compassion surrounded me.
You listened to my heartfelt prayers,
Your Holy Spirit touched me bringing peace.
Always my Lord and my Saviour.

Amen

© Barbara Rolison Kingdom Arts June 2024

Alpha and Omega, circle of life, eternal joy let us live with you forever.
Despite our shortcomings, may we share your love, compassion, and liberty in heavenly peace with angelic voices singing to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Heaven on earth, bright flowers, birds singing, roaring oceans, sunlit mountains, loving relationships, family unity, no violence or hate, but pure grace as we look to you, our defender and sustainer.

Your world is full of your glory from the mustard seed to mighty cedars, may we treat them with the respect they deserve and sustain rather than destroy their environments.
Lord may we be your ambassadors on earth, of it but not living in it. We need to be heaven’s citizens, God’s hands and feet on earth, his mouthpiece to issues of the day, head above the parapet, advocating Your way, not the ways of war, compassion for the have-nots and wisdom in meditation.

We have a short time here but Eternity with you. Let us make it count, every day dedicated to you, conversations had with those you choose and situations encountered so that we can give glory to you in all that we do.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are our joy, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love, cultivate these in our hearts.

© Julia Holdsworth Kingdom Arts June 2024

Enslaved, Free, Follow God

I have been enslaved for many years by what I call my “Stinking thinking”.

During the last few years, I have been given, by the grace of God, the opportunity to learn about what has been blocking me from experiencing peace in my mind and soul. I believe that I am being set free.

I have taken the opportunity which was presented to me, to seek professional help, which allowed me to realise that I had an addiction to being miserable. This realisation has enabled me to accept that I needed to seek help to move away from my addiction.

I was introduced to a spiritual course some time ago. This has helped to set me free from a misunderstanding of what spirituality is, and it has given me a new understanding of how to have a spiritual relationship with God and to follow God’s guidance.

I learnt that I needed to accept that we are powerless and that our lives can sometimes become unmanageable. I also realised that God can restore us to and to “make a decision to turn on our will and our lives over to the care of God”. This illustrated the need to follow God’s will in my life and NOT my own.

I have been privileged to see how God has restored people who have been enslaved in the prisons of alcoholism and more especially co-dependency. I have been helped to find some freedom from my “stinking thinking”, and my addictions. It has shown me, beyond doubt, that only God can set me free.

I have learnt many things about myself in recent years. It has been challenging and painful. The process has enabled me to get an awareness of being enslaved to addiction; of having God set me free, and to be able to follow God’s will instead of my own.

One of the most valuable lessons I have learnt is a new definition of the virtue of humility. This is having the openness and willingness to seek to know God’s will for me, and to humbly seek the power to carry it out.

I have begun to realise that God is not vindictive, critical or judgemental, but accepts me as I am. He accepts me with my personality defects and shortcomings.

© Paul Ingram, Kingdom Arts, June 2024