February 2024 Writing

Steal away

When I was a teenager I used to sing this spiritual so much, to encourage my heart to confide in Jesus… “Steal Away to Jesus”

Today I wrote this Poem…

Is my heart oppressed and low?
Steal away to Jesus
Confused about which way to go?
Steal away to Jesus

Am I pressed into a mould?
Steal away to Jesus
Feeling robbed of all my gold?
Steal away to Jesus

Would I dare to slip my chain?
Steal away to Jesus
Is it worth what I would gain?
Steal away to Jesus

Does my trouble cloud my way?
Steal away to Jesus
Will the darkness yield to day?
Steal away to Jesus

I will trust the call to rest
Steal away to Jesus
Following with trembling steps
Steal away to Jesus

I will come out on your arm
Steal away to Jesus
Covered in your healing balm
Steal away to Jesus

© Chris Graham Kingdom Arts 2024


What is freedom?

Everywhere I look, people are shackled by something: internet shopping; drink; drugs; sex; Netflix; fashion.
Where are we free in nature, by the sea, up a mountain, wild swimming.
What is it for you?

Jesus made us free, whatever our circumstances, do we need a new mindset?

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, do we look after our vulnerable ones?
Do restrictions mean slavery or is it a means to a new and free life?
Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote “Man is born free but everywhere is in chains”.

Is this what Jesus came for, to be tied, scourged and die for us all?
To rise again in glory and save us all from sin and suffering until we are truly free to join him in eternal glory.

© Julia Holdsworth


A spiritual

They chained me down,
In sorrow I cry,
Carry my trouble away.

My load is heavy,
Have mercy Lord!
Carry my trouble away.

CHORUS
Carry me away, Lord,
Carry me away, Lord,
Carry me away, my Lord,
Carry me away.

The journey’s long,
The river is wide,
Carry my trouble away.

And in the darkness
You’re by my side,
Carry my trouble away.

CHORUS
Carry me away, Lord,
Carry me away, Lord,
Carry me away, my Lord,
Carry me away.

© Barbara Rolison, Kingdom Arts February 2024


Release from the Chains of Despair

I was trapped, I felt unsafe,
Had no control, no way of escape.
Bound by rules, no place for thoughts
Of what I like, just what I ought.

Do, be, serve, and don’t complain,
Keep the peace, the same refrain
In my mind, the whole day long.
No chance of love or joy or song.

Then came the night. The darkness hides
All vestige of hope, just fear resides.
Fear dictates and tells me lies,
“You can’t break free from life’s demise.

This is all you will ever be,
Trapped in your chains, and never free.”
Yet deep inside a spark of hope
Drew me onwards, helped me to cope.

I’d heard of a Saviour, one who loved
To set people free, the Son of God.
I cried to Him, He heard my prayer,
Let me know that He’s always there.

“You are loved,” He said. “Trust in Me,
I will your Deliverer be.”
And deep inside I knew that He
Could heal the pain and set me free.

New life awaits, now peace inside,
Freedom from fear, now joy resides.
No more despair nor hiding away
Just freed to be, to work to play.

Myself at last. Now I can breathe
And worship Him, old patterns leave.
He brings such peace and now fulfils
My hopes, my dreams- not further ills.

My life is changed forever more
Free like the eagle I will soar.

Ruth Campsall, February 2024.


 

February 2024 Gathering

20th February

TODAY’S THEME

African American Spirituals

The display this morning depicted the night sky, a river and cotton plantations with a heavy chain to symbolise the theme of slavery and in particular African American slaves. There were also photographs of Harriet Tubman who had led many slaves out of their miserable existence.

Alex welcomed everyone, including old friends and new faces, we commenced by singing some familiar spirituals from the African American heritage, “Let my people go” and “Steal Away” which were followed by prayers.

Sue then gave a most knowledgeable talk about the history and meaning of Spirituals. Few of us had been aware of the ‘codes’ and hidden messages in the songs. She illustrated this with some examples in which we enjoyed participating, including a rendition of “Swing Low Sweet Chariot“.

So on to the activities for the morning, highlighting the theme:-

Alison led a sewn collage activity using fabric, felt cut into a meaningful word and stitches.

There was a craft table involving the use of “Brusho”, bleach watercolours and wax crayon. Landscapes were described as sky, trees and a cotton plantation. One of the participants said the results were “unpredictable.”

David bravely tackled the construction activity, which was to construct a small balsawood slave hut!

The writing was once again different, as inspiration from the talk took each person in a different direction.

Creative writing and new spirituals!
It is wonderful how openly people will share their feelings in words.
To see this month’s creative writing, click here.

A table offered charcoal of a still life of African wooden statues; described as “more chat and charcoal.”

There were also the usual opportunities for quiet, contemplative, prayerful knitting.

The conversations buzzed and we were kept refreshed by Pam who served coffee, tea and biscuits.

We ended the mornings activities by sharing our mornings efforts and singing one more spiritual ‘I want Jesus to walk with me‘. How amazing were the experiences of the morning. Another session full of thought-provoking activities and information.

A lunch followed with soup, lovingly made by Jan K, this month it was tomato and ginger or pea and mint, there was bread, cheese, fresh  fruit and a delicious selection of home-made cakes. Thank you, Jane and Ruth!

We hope you will come next month to swell our numbers we meet on Tuesday 12th March 2024.

Please note the start time Coffee from 10.00, followed by worship and activities, with lunch around 12.40.

January 2024 Writing

Clarity

Clarity,
the lack of business,
Tranquillity,
calmness; less to intrude and more to see.
Patterns,
Gently moving and slowly opening up and moving towards
My Creator.
Peacefully,
gently undisturbed by the business of life
Clear of clutter to see what really matters.
To see anew, afresh what the essence of life is.
So peaceful, so restful.
Just to be and offer myself anew, afresh to you.

© Steph Kingdom Arts January 2024

This was a partnership piece written as an experiment with Barbara as amanuensis.


At Kingdom Arts

I woke up this morning feeling a little apprehensive about coming today,

BUT!

What a feeling I got immediately!!

Friendship, love, welcome.

Everything I feel I need at this time in my life. I try every day to find new things to think about. I have been told that it’s quite probably I will go blind, and I am trying to come to terms with what I will be able to do.

Crochet is my main hobby, which I will be able to carry on (with difficulty) but I have enjoyed painting which I find difficult already, although with a loving son to help me I will, with God’s help, go on to find new things.

© Heather Kingdom Arts February 2024


No Sight

I close my eyes and cut off my sight.
Yet I know I am standing in a garden
I can smell it and I can hear a rustle of leaves
The flutter and twitter of birds.
I reach out my hand and bend down to touch.
It’s colder and wet, yet suddenly comes away and into my palm
What do I hold? It’s oval and furry on one side, feels thin and I gentle on my palm so touch with my other hand.
Will it break? Does it smell? I hold it to my nose and lips. I learn about this living thing – a piece of creation.
Will I know it again?
I bend down again and touch and pull and there in my hand is another.
It smells and tastes the same, it is furry on one side, but has a rolled edge.
I learn it is from creation but it is different
I learn that every piece of creation is different from each other.
Yet it helps to make a whole.
Thank You

© Jenny Kingdom Arts February 2024


The light

Lord, what is a light? A tiny pinprick in a dark tunnel, and yet that is the pointer to follow. One needs the touch of others to guide our way and to help when one might tumble.
Is this your way that by relying on others as well as oneself we create love? Sometimes we do need others.
Help us to reach out and hold others by the hand.
What is darkness? Why do we fear what might happen in the dark hours of the night? Why do we imagine the worst when we can have the best? May I seek you and see things (from your point of view) rather than mine. Sunrise and sunset are two of the most beautiful sights in the world and yet I can only imagine them. But Lord, imagination is a wonderful thing and you give us gifts that we can only think of in reality.
As a candle flickers we are drawn to its warmth and light. May we always look to you the light?

© Julia Kingdom Arts February 2024


 

January 2024 Gathering

January 9th

TODAY’S THEME

Fanny Crosby

Have you ever wondered about being blind?

Our current theme investigating the stories behind the songs we use to worship continued. Today, we learned about Fanny Crosby, whose hymns were familiar but we certainly didn’t know her history.

We welcomed old friends and more new faces, and began the morning singing two hymns with words by Fanny Crosby –

“To God be the Glory”
“Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine”
. . . followed by prayer.

Jan K then gave a talk about the American, blind hymn writer who died aged 95 years. [1810-1905] and what an interesting woman!

 

Sue then described the variety of unusual activities for the morning, highlighting the other senses we use.

There were blindfolds so that we could experiment drawing the profile of a face blindfolded, leading to amazing results, which were then added to by colouring.

There was a collage activity using music sheets which were cut and reassembled into amazing pictures.

Alison led a craft table involving sewing or gluing eye shapes on felt and embellishing them, some with buttons or sequins or net.

Kitchen foil was also on hand to squish and mould into 3D figures, great results and what a satisfying feeling!

The writing was very different from usual, as there was the opportunity to work in pairs, with one person as scribe while the other dictated what they were thinking about once their eyes were closed! Some also chose to write independently and the creative juices flowed.

 

There were also the usual opportunities for quiet, contemplative, prayerful knitting.

Another aspect of sight was introduced by Alex – an optical illusion. The ‘victim’ had to concentrate on an image for about 30 seconds, then close their eyes, and an unexpected image appears. Several of us were very surprised by the result!

It’s difficult to describe the quiet, relaxed atmosphere of the morning. The conversations buzzed around the tables and we were kept refreshed by Pam and Carolyn with coffee, tea and biscuits. The only way to discover what it’s like would be to come along and join in!

We ended the morning’s activities by gathering to share our efforts and how amazing they were. It is wonderful how openly people will share their feelings about the experiences of the morning.

A lunch followed with soup, lovingly made by Jan K. This month it was tomato & basil, or leek & potato. There was bread, cheese, fruit, and home-made cakes too around the tables. The whole morning was a welcome opportunity to catch up after the Christmas/New Year break.

We hope you will come next month on Tuesday 20th February 2024.
Please note that this is not the usual second Tuesday of the month due to the timing of school holidays and many with family commitments on the usual date.


 

December 2023 Writing

One Silent Night

In the hushed quiet of dusk, as the shadows lengthen, I pray;
Oh Lord surround us with Your Love and grant us Peace.

In the soundless darkness of a stable, warmed by cattle breath, lies a woman.
She, a homeless fugitive, baring a child brutally conceived,
Fleeing from violent assault and degradation.

In the darkness, the stars appear like a million brilliant sparks as she labours through the night.
In the first light, a muted cry disturbs the calm.
The woman soundlessly suckles the new born and he is beloved!

In the stillness, as we approach the dawn of Christmas, I pray;
Oh Lord surround them with Your Love and grant them Peace.

Oh Lord surround us all with Your Love and grant us Peace.

© Barbara Rolison, Kingdom Arts December 2023


Breathe

Breathe
Blow wind of God
Come
A baby born
Silence comes
Waiting for the cry of new life.
Breath of God
Visit
Infuse His life
Kiss his face
And breathe infant.
Silence and darkness splits with an infant’s cry
A Saviour born
New life Hope lies on the cradle of life
Breath of God.
When you kiss the baby boy
Do you know you kiss the face of God?

© Shefali Hollis, Kingdom Arts December 2023


Inspired by John 1 v 1-5

Silent darkness
Wordless ripples of creative thought
A brooding of kindness
A gathering of shadows brought

Forming of breath
A day break, peace of knowing
A pushing groan of life
From chaos to order moving

Light in the darkness
Let there be
Light of life’s caress
Reaching me.

© Chris Graham, Kingdom Arts December 2023


May Peace Grow

God gave us light; light within our souls
To shine through
Darkness and pain.
Clearing the way
For stumbling footsteps.
A breath so strong and sure
To let life grow
Within God’s holy stillness
And his embracing presence
Ever present, ever comforting
To help us spread His peace.
To all within the world.

© Helen McNicholl, Kingdom Arts December 2023


A Moment in Time

Through all the noise, the chatter, the rush,
No time, no rest, no peace, no hope, no love,
Comes a moment of calm.

Still, gentle light, whispering, thinking, waiting.

Hear a baby’s cry.
Here comes hope.
Here comes love.

Still the world rushes on, unheeding the moment.

An unostentatious start, unnoticed by many;
Yet the seed has burst forth
And the fruit will follow.

David Moore


Words put to music:-

Into the world
So cold and so driven by sin.
A Baby is born bringing hope
The angels do sing;
And right from the start,
Sin was afraid,
And try as it might
To stop the young Babe;
Triumphant was Love;
Love will prevail.

Simple the scene,
No pomp and no privilege there.
The Saviour of all, just a child,
No crown does He wear.
And Love keeps Him safe,
Holding Him tight;
And Love is the guide,
And Love shines tonight;
And Love is here now,
Love by my side.

Joy, fill our hearts.
And Choir, lift your sound.
Love conquers all
And peace be around.

Hold on to hope;
Rejoice in the love in your heart;
Let all sing ‘Good news’ to the world;
Let none be apart.
And Love keeps me safe
Holding me tight,
And Love is the guide,
And Love shines tonight;
And Love is here now,
Love by my side.

©2017 David Moore

If you would like to listen to this song, it is available on YouTube.

Click this link to leave this site and go to YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ekg6QJV5LQ

December 2023 Gathering

December 12th

TODAY’S THEME

Silent Night

As we had reached December, we had celebrations this month of Christmas, past and present. The aisle was decorated with a number of wonderful and different Nativity sets and Christmas fabric and so the magically lit display, set the scene for the story of Silent Night.

Alex welcomed everyone to the gathering, including old friends and more new faces, we commenced by singing “The first Nowell” and “Silent Night” which were followed by prayers.
Barbara gave a talk based on the book ‘The Story of Silent Night’ by Paul Gallico. We learned of the antics of a mouse who caused havoc to a church organ, and the inspired lyrics and music written by Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber respectively, leading to the creation of Silent night on Christmas Eve in 1818.

And so on to the morning’s activities:

Jan T brought circular wreathes of wicker to design and decorate with foliage. She was praised for her excellent tuition and encouragement; all the participants felt a sense of achievement and were delighted with the result.

There was also Christmas fabric in triangles to make into tetrahedron shaped decorations, elegant and practical, if tricky.

Alison brought materials to construct stars from straws and then decorate them, an activity requiring nimble fingers and concentration but the results were well worth the effort.

The writing focus was to take a list of words; the synonyms for silent and for night, and choose some to weave a piece of writing or a poem. This was enthusiastically received and the results are available on our creative writing page.

The ongoing project to make a large, cross shaped hanging, devised of individually designed and sewn hessian squares is almost complete and is truly beautiful to behold.

Handmade Christmas gifts from Lima, Peru were on sale . These gifts were made by a Women’s co-operative in Lima. This is often their only source of income. Worcester Diocese is linked with the Diocese of Peru and we always like to support the work of these woman especially as their gifts are so beautifully creative!

There were also the usual opportunities for quiet, contemplative, prayerful knitting.

The conversations abounded around the tables and we were kept refreshed by Pam and Carolyn with coffee, tea and biscuits.

We ended the mornings activities by gathering to share our mornings efforts and we sat with lighted candles in a darkened church to sing “Like a candle flame” [Fortunately David M was on hand to coach us in the two-part chorus.] It was a spiritual and moving ending.

A lunch followed with soup, lovingly made by Jan K, this month it was lentil and tomato, or “purple” soup! There was bread, cheese fruit and home-made cakes too around the tables there was a welcome opportunity to catch up with each other.


We often get comments about the sessions each month. Here are a few of them received this time:-

Wow! Tuesday….it was so good…thank you. My heart was singing to make the wreath…it is on the door. I’ve always dressed the fireplace etc…but a wreath with the symbol of eternity….was too complicated or so I thought.

What a wonderful way to praise our Creator.

Thank you for the warm welcome. I appreciate it will take quite a lot of preparation…it is a very special ministry.

… what a brilliant start to Christmas. The worship was so meaningful, so relevant to all going on in the world and thus brought me to a place of peace and thanksgiving. I loved every minute of it. You all enabled me to come to a special place in Worship. Thank you.

If you’ve never been before, why not come along and experience the atmosphere for yourself? All are welcome!

We wish you all a Very Merry Christmas.

Join us in the New Year on Tuesday January 9th 2024!
Please note the start time:- Coffee from 10.00, followed by worship and activities, with lunch around 12.40.