June 2018 Writing

Jesus calms the sea:-

On the fifth day God created the sea.

On the fifth day God created the sea
It was filled with goodness
Tides ruled by the moon
Changing colour and moods
Inspiring man to travel the waves
As Jesus and his disciples moved
Across the lake in the evening
Then the great gale arose
Fear spread and gripped the swamped boat
Waves rose up like angry monsters
Echoing voyages of Celtic Saints, valiant fishermen and lifeboat heroes
And the cries of searching, hopeful boat people
But Jesus was there in all our lives
He calmed the seas, bringing peace
May we shed our fears, shattered dreams and grief
Lay them at his feet
And bathe in tranquil hopeful waters

© Helen, June 2018


Swamped no more!

In times when I am swamped by worries
By circumstances where I feel overwhelmed
When waves of despair hit hard and I
Am drowning in life itself
There is a moment when I may be overcome
But I am stilled and calm; my mind in quiet prayerful contemplation
I become aware of Christ; he is within me and without.
In that instant faith is renewed I am restored

© Barbara Rolison, June 2018


 

June 2018 Gathering

12th June 2018

“Jesus calms the storm”
Mark 4:35-41

Today, our songs, worship and prayers were based around the reading and made for calm and a quiet meaningful start to what was the last session for the next few months, as we all take a chance to refresh and renew.

The central aisle was decorated with fabrics representing water and a rather striking boat which announced the theme.

There were several water based activities:

Origami boats with a range of difficulty and complexity. So many rose to the challenge and a colourful selection resulted.

The free painting opportunity to create seascapes was joyfully accessed and paint and water flowed across the paper with stunning results and much satisfaction.

The pillows for Jesus to lay his head were beautifully embroidered and decorated, please see the picture gallery.

Drawing and colouring and creative writing were also available giving more opportunities for quiet discussion and thought.

A highlight was the music making with percussion listening to each other and making sounds to reflect storms and tranquillity was for some a moving experience and left us all with a sense of achievement and unity.

A time for sharing our work was an essential part of the end of the morning and after prayer we enjoyed either mushroom or “enhanced” vegetable soup (or both!)

We meet to start a new series of Kingdom Arts on Tuesday September 11th with coffee at 9.30 when we all hope to welcome you again.


For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

For this month’s words, see Creative Writing

June 2018 Gallery

Origami Boats

Painting

Related to this theme we also have a mosaic created by David New entitled “The Wind in my Sails”

This mosaic was inspired by  a painting by the French artist Odilon Redon (1840 – 1916) entitled ‘The invisible Navigator,’ which I found in a book by Sister Wendy Beckett. I added the Holy Spirit Dove and the cross/star.
David New

Pillows

Celtic Art

Others

Click here to listen to a percussion excerpt

Tree of Life
Finishing touches before it goes on permanent display in the church.

Central display

Exhibition 17th -19th May 2018

“A truly wonderful and inspirational exhibition. Thank you very much.”

“So many amazing displays and all of them shining with the Light of the Lord – very uplifting.”

“The children enjoyed exploring and learning. Thank you for inviting us.”

“Beautiful Expressions of Faith, Love and Life.”

“Very inspirational display. Beautiful creations in a lovely setting”


For three days our church was open to the public, displaying some of our work we had created over the previous two years. We were delighted to have some 70 or 80 visitors each day. In addition we had 3 groups of primary school children with their teachers and they were given a quiz to do as well as a craft activity and refreshments. A small team of tireless helpers served endless cups of tea and coffee along with home-made cake, talked with visitors and helped the schoolteachers with the children.

We have an open plan church building with moveable chairs. This provided plenty of space for display boards and tables down the sides of the church. In the centre of the body of the church we opened out a labyrinth drawn on canvas (some 15ft square) with a card of prayerful suggestions for devotional use.

Many varieties of art and craft were on display – painting, collage, drawing, paper-craft, Lego, tapestry, sewing as well as creative writing.

Some exhibits were individual contributions, other were the collective work of a group of people. All the exhibits were based on Bible themes and were accompanied by a brief word of explanation which many people greatly appreciated.

Modelling with paper and Lego

Some people took the opportunity for a time of quiet prayer. Others enjoyed having-a-go at simple craft work or creative doodling. I think everyone enjoyed the sense of community and friendship.

We are a small parish group of people, meeting once a month, to reflect on a passage of the Bible, express our response in creative ways, share what the morning has meant to us, and finish with a simple soup lunch. Others have joined us from neighbouring churches and this has greatly increased the number of varieties of arts and crafts that we are able to offer. We are registered as a ‘Fresh Expression’ and are open to anyone who would like to join us.

One person perceptively commented, “I loved the fact that, side by side, there are works of which any professional would be proud and work which even someone of my limited skill and experience could aspire to!”

Mosaics, Decoupage and Pop-ups

Creative Writing

Search and you will find . . .

The Tree of Life

Anyway, never mind looking at pictures – come along and have a go!

It doesn’t matter whether you’re the next Van Gogh or Banksy (there’s a thought – anyone got a spray can?) or Joe Bloggs, all are welcome.

Check out the dates of the meetings in Dates for your diary.


 

May 2018 Gathering

8th May 2018

“The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes”
Mark 6:30-44

The worship began with joyful songs followed by the reading and prayers led by Alex.

Today’s activities based on the reading included making a print block and designing a pattern with it on a fish outline. The artistry and the colourful range of patterns were wonderful.

David had a more challenging paper folding activity this month which was to make a rectangular box to represent a basket.

A new and unusual craft activity involved recycling plastic carrier bags, thus an assortment of objects were designed including a flower and a fish.

There were both oil and chalk pastels for free drawing, and opportunities for conversation and laughter encouraged at each activity.

The writing table was well used this time with acrostic poems using the word fishes or loaves or the challenge of composing a haiku.

At the end of the morning, anyone who wished to talk about the activities they had been part of was invited to share their thoughts.

After grace was sung lunch followed, with a choice of cream of cauliflower soup or tomato and basil from the soup book.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday June 12th. We look forward to meeting you then.


For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

For this month’s words, see Creative Writing

April 2018 Writing

Everyone was focusing on practical craft work this month. however, David New has contributed a poem he wrote a little while ago:

The Wedding in Cana.

We are getting ready for
The Love Feast of the Lamb.
So let the water of your living pour
Into the waiting jars.
He’ll take your sighs and tears.
He’ll take your cracked endeavours, but
Most of all your heart’s confession that
You cannot do without him.

David New 2013


 

April 2018 Gathering

17th April 2018

“The Wedding in Cana”
John 2:1-11

This month the central aisle had been decorated with yards of lace, confetti, flowers, wedding shoes, invitations and a bottle of bubbly!  Thus the theme was apparent before we began with celebratory songs, followed by the reading from John Chapter 2, verses 1 – 11, recollecting the wedding in Cana in Galilee, which describes the first miracle of Jesus.  This was followed with prayers led by Alex.

The craft tables were filled with activities to reflect on a wedding theme. There were blank cards to design on the front and make an invitation inside to call the recipient to think, maybe of faith.

A still life was set up with a group of empty vessels to depict the filling of wine jars, which invited drawings with pastels.

An activity to make a wedding guest figure from wire, dowel, fabrics and all manner of embellishments called on the inner fashion designers amongst us. The ingenuity and variety was wonderful.

Lastly there were even more intricate, decorative handmade flowers crafted with paper which were quite detailed and very lovely. [Please look at the photographs.]

We finished with opportunities for anyone who wished to, to talk about the activities they had been part of. Lunch followed, with a choice of butternut squash or celery soup delicious as usual, and an array of cake!

Our next meeting is on Tuesday May 8th. We look forward to meeting you then.


For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

David New has contributed a poem about the wedding in Cana, see Creative Writing

The Kingdom Arts Exhibition is fast approaching and preparations are already in hand. If you can get to us on May 17th, 18th or 19th, do come along and see our work, while you drink tea or coffee and munch a cake with our compliments!