Author: Editor

December 2018 Gathering

11th December 2018

“The Pearl of Great Price”
Matthew 13:45-46

A glittering cloth of gold set with the nativity scene and pearls in shells greeted us this morning as we sang ‘Hark the Herald Angels’ accompanied by our accomplished musicians, and welcomed new members to the group.

This was followed by a humorous piece “The Three Gossips” featuring three of our thespian colleagues! This was a short sketch about the village where Mary lives. The reading was a short text from Matthew and the significance of Jesus as the pearl was well explained by Alex.
To meet the cast and see an excerpt from the performance, see below.

The first activity offered was to use Lego and additional “dainty props” for the stable, the shepherds and the wise men. This was accompanied by artistically painted backdrops to set the scene. This was later described as “an excellent team effort” and “the most up market stable.” They are to remain in church this week for other groups to appreciate.

There were some most attractive ceramic baubles to design and paint with acrylic. They were truly spectacular and will grace several trees.

This month, David New’s challenge was an origami shell, delicate to look at and skilfully made.

The creative writing table was full of purposeful endeavour and self-expression with themes of Advent, Pearls and Crackers.

David M held a most enjoyable singing workshop to learn a new Christmas song which we hope to feature on the website in due course.

We ended with discussion of the morning’s activities, worship and prayer followed by delicious chestnut and orange soup.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and please remember to visit the Christmas tree exhibition in the Cathedral when maybe you will feel inspired to vote for the Kingdom Arts Christmas tree!! {Voting is also available on the Cathedral website}.
Our next meeting will be on January 8th we do hope to see you then.

A delicious new soup was offered for lunch, spinach, pea and pesto which was greatly enjoyed by many with the alternative potato and leek, accompanied by bread, cheese and home-made cake alongside plenty of conversations.

Our 1st meeting in 2019 is on Tuesday January 8th.
We will be delighted if you would join us.

For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

For this month’s words, see Creative Writing

For this month’s drama, see The Three Gossips

For this month’s music, see Music

For all of next year’s dates, see dates for your diary.

December 2018 Writing

Crackers

Let us pull our crackers with joy,
Lord may our loud bangs stop live battles for ever.
The spilling gifts as of old, echo joys our children long for.
Remembering gifts of shepherds and kings,
Foretelling the saviour’s future and our salvation.
Hats to make merriment tousled hair and helping us smile.
Riskiness of puzzles to stretch our brains, and bring forth laughter.
But the longed for treasure is within God’s hands,
Growing layer upon layers years go by
The pearl we seek and treasure through life everlasting.

© December 2018 Helen McNicollMavis

Advent

Waiting for God’s only son
Knowing he’s a Special child
Choosing Nazarene maiden Mary
Telling Joseph

Summoning to Royal David’s city
Bumping along the trodden pathways
Pleading for a resting place
Birthing a boy

Blinding Angels in a mass
Lighting up the hillside, shepherds knew
Hastening they came to see
Glorifying God

Guiding the star shone
Searching for the new born King
Worshipping the Christ Child
Seeking Peace

© December 2018, Barbara Rolison

Heaven’s Herald

If no news is good news, then tell me, why does bad news travel fast?
If strength of souls is unity; then have we love that has to last.
If comfort is the warmth of hearts, in harmony with joy:
Or healing are the words of truth, no labour can employ.
Then LORD please send word of your truth, your promise and your plan:
That every woman, man and child can grow and stand, beneath your crown.
Your Kingdom Come, on Earth be done,
The will of what was with Your Son.
Your will on Earth be done.

© December 2018, John Pugh

The Shells Story

Sitting on the bottom of the ocean floor
Moving with the waves, who are moved by the wind,
Changing direction in the currents of the world.
My shell opening just a little to take in the nutrients.
Oh Wow! What is this, grit !! I struggle opening and closing my shell
I am unable to get rid of it and it will make a sore place.

Rolling it in the silk of my membrane makes it smooth and round.
After months of rolling it has become smooth and hard,
When the shell opens with the tide it gleams in the light,
Illuminating my inside and the ocean floor,
My shell grows to accommodate the shining,
I hear voices from divers, they are talking about pearls,
“Pearls of great price”

Is this what I have become, a shelter,
A shell that creates, moves with the forces of nature,
Providing a thing of beauty, gracing those who walk in the world.

Creation given for all, creating something new,
Revealed for those who choose to look and feel, and to reflect light
To change into the pearl of great price.

Advent

Winter dark and still
Stark black branches and twigs.
Standing against the blue , blue sky.
Late winter blooms fading and changing,
Early spring bulbs peaking through brown earth.
Colouring creation, colouring our lives.
Things hidden in secret
Seeds in the dark earth,
Cold and damp breaking that shell of new life,
Waiting, waiting, waiting.

Jenny

 

December 2018 Gallery

The Pearl of Great Value
– and Christmas

Start of the morning

Lego

Scenery

Baubles

Shells

Creative Writing

The Three Gossips

To meet the cast and see an excerpt of the performance,
click here >> The Three Gossips

and to finish the morning, we shared a simple lunch

 

November 2018 Writing

The Lord said build upon rock

The Lord said build upon rock
The rock is strong, the house will be safe
The winds will blow and howl
It will pour rain in sheets
But he house is still safe

The foolish man builds his house on sand
The winds will blow and howl
It will pour rain in sheets
The waves will pour over the sand
The house will collapse, there is no house anymore.

This is a well-known story told by Jesus
All about sensible and foolish people
It makes you think about life and how to live it
Children love this story; I hope it tells them something about life
I know it did when I was young.

© Mavis

Come Gather (A Rap)

You’ll go far, sing my songs-
And I’ll let you help me
Run my bar! Move ya feet
Put a finger on the buttons
Meet and greet/ strummin’ and drummin’
Will lift up right you outta your seat

RAP ll
When two or three
Or more than four
Come greet us
Anytime now, before
The sun shines through
That open door, or
Morning, evening, afternoon, goodnight
Still can’t ignore/ the law of love/light

Or else you’ll be sitting
On a house of straws
Like way back when
In days of yore,
The poor man put his Faith in store,
And built his house to weather the storm.

© John Pugh

The Sure Foundations

He came to strengthen foundations
On ground firm and strong
Reinforces with Holy rules
Cemented with love and hope mixed with forgiveness and understanding.
Ready for us to build from the Lord’s plans
With hearths of warmth and welcome
Ever open doors
Rooves to shelter pain and despair
Windows to let in Nature’s beauty
Let us not move to weaker places with shifting sand
With crumbling supports overwhelming our faith.
Lord help us to ever build on your foundation.

© Helen McNicholl

Founded on Rock

The raging wind and crashing waves
The violent screaming storms of life
Cannot destroy your fragile house
If you are founded on the rock

The faithful rock is strong and sure
And won’t break or let you down
Even in wildest tempest’s roar

The rock will stand when all else shatters
Fall apart and scatters
Eternity is in his hold. He is firmly holding you
In time the sands are washed away
But His foundation’s strong and true.

Don’t build your life on worthless sand
On popularity or health, on fading beauty, fame or wealth

These grains will trickle through your grasping hand
Trust in his love, to bring you fruitful life
His endless care, to help your small house stand.

© Ruth McMaster

 

November 2018 Gathering

13th November 2018

“The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders”
Matthew 7:24-29

After praise through songs accompanied by our own musicians and vocalists and a reading of the parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders, an explanation of the parable and prayers were offered by Alex. Then followed starting points from members of the team to help us all decide which of the activites on offer we would like to try.

This month, our group consisted of many familiar faces as well as some more new members. Everyone enjoyed the arts and crafts on offer.

The skeleton for our Christmas tree (which goes on display on December 8th at Worcester Cathedral) had already been prepared by Trevor, and one group spent time decorating the tree branches with stencilled golden stars.

Characters for the accompanying Nativity were stitched in glorious and elaborate colours or more subdued fabrics. “It was a bit of fun but you needed skill”. They will look amazing when completed.

David’s design of an eight pointed ribbon star was complex! Comments included “It’s awkward and finicky to hold onto but great if you get it right” and “You need time to get the glue off your fingers”.

The sand pictures were thought provoking and glittery and one lady exclaimed “it was great fun drawing with glue”.

The creative writing table attracted new talent and our first Rap was produced, along with thoughtful prose.

We ended with a sung grace.

A delicious new soup was offered for lunch, spinach, pea and pesto which was greatly enjoyed by many with the alternative potato and leek, accompanied by bread, cheese and home-made cake alongside plenty of conversations.

Our last meeting for 2018 is on Tuesday December 10th.
We will be delighted if you would join us.

For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

For this month’s words, see Creative Writing

For next year’s dates, see dates for your diary.

October 2018 Puppet Theatre

The Prodigal Son – The Movie

Click on the links below to see the videos

Rehearsals

Performance

Camera J

Camera D

 

 

October 2018 Writing

A prayer for my son

God, I know that you are listening always.
I pray for my precious son, now so far away amongst strangers in unknown lands and facing who knows what?
Keep him safe I pray
I miss him, I long for his return and I fear for him.
God, help him!
He is young, unwise and thinks he is invincible, but I fear he will lose all he has and be hungry, homeless and in despair.
Protect him I pray.
Surround him with your love wherever he is.
Hold him close as I long to do. Help him to know my love for him is also unending and I will be here waiting for him.
Please God
Show him the pathway home.

© Barbara Rolison

The Prodigal’s return

The sheep peer through the cracks in the wall.
A man walks down
Unsteadily
The lane stones hurt his feet
Thorns remind him painfully of his despair
Mournfully the sheep turn their back as they slowly munch in the evening sun.
Shadows fall across the path.
A distant cry
Running feet
Calls, shouts
The man falls to his knees as his strength fails
He manages to speak the words he had rehearsed over and over
Would he
Retribution?
Revenge?
But No! His remorse was met by loving reconciliation.

© Christine Allen

A Prayer for forgiveness

Father
Help me to remember your example when I am faced with difficult situations.
It is sometimes so difficult to quell the anger and see the good in all people.
I find forgiveness one of the hardest things to do, especially when it is someone who is hurt by the person I should forgive.
Please be in my heart as I juggle the emotions vying for attention.
Ensure that your loves shines through and enables me to offer heartfelt forgiveness as you do to all.
Amen

© Sue Cottam

 

October 2018 Gathering

9th October 2018

“The Parable of the Prodigal Son”
Luke 15:11-32

Our new season of meetings is based on the parables of Jesus and interpreting their meaning or sparking interpretational ideas through writing, craftwork, art or music.

Following praise through songs accompanied by our amazing musicians and vocalists, a reading of the parable of the Prodigal Son, and starting points from members of the team; our group, including new members and visitors explored the activities on offer.

Creative writing explored feelings and how to express or seek forgiveness, while the free drawing with charcoal expanded the parable into visual art.
Words around the concept of feelings were translated into posters.

Felting [in this instance, making pig shapes with felt pressed through by stabbing with a needle] was offered for the first time and was so much enjoyed that it will surely be offered again.

The making of a “simple balance” was a challenge in dexterity and scientific principle. [Do look at the photographs.]

Finally came an innovative retelling of the Prodigal Son using a puppet theatre. The performance was a unique presentation, so enjoyable and such fun.

The discussion and sharing of ideas at the end of the morning was dynamic, personal and very thoughtful. The exploration of the meaning of the parable and the concept of forgiveness had been explored both on a personal level and within several of the groups.

We ended with a sung grace.

A delicious choice of pear and parsnip or mushroom soup was offered for lunch accompanied by bread, cheese and cake with an opportunity to continue conversations.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday November 13th.
We will be delighted if you would join us.

For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

For this month’s words, see Creative Writing

For this month’s drama, see Oct 2018 Puppet Theatre