Editor – Page 2 – Kingdom Arts

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.

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 Gallery

The Candle Song

The Cross

The display

Wreaths

Stars

Other

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.

November 2023 Gallery

Theme/Display

Cross backgrounds

Cross Squares

Air drying clay

Junk sculpture

Writing

End of the morning

November 2023 Writing

Waste

by
Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy 1883-1929
(Woodbine Willy)

Waste of Muscle, waste of Brain,
Waste of Patience, waste of Pain,
Waste of Manhood, waste of Health,
Waste of Beauty, waste of Wealth,
Waste of Blood, waste of Tears,
Waste of Youth’s most precious years,
Waste of ways the Saints have trod,
Waste of Glory, waste of God,
——War

When we cannot run

Like a room full of smoke
War repels me.
Both suck the oxygen out of the air
And leave me wanting to Run. Make as much
Distance as I can between myself and the offense
Separation is a form of resistance, but it’s not as strong
As a demonstration, engagement in an opposite spirit,
Private Godfrey Buxton (from Royal Medical Corps) once wrote
‘If death was abroad, if wrong was to be resisted a Christian should be right in amongst it.’
Woodbine Willy rigorously demonstrated the same.
So as I wonder how to pray for the current crises, I find my heart with those trapped in situations they cannot escape, but have to choose how to respond to.
“Please meet them Lord God, please send help from your sanctuary, please supply them with what they cannot provide for themselves
Be their light in the darkness.”
Amen

What is peace Lord?

Why do we find it so difficult to live in peace with one another?
You ask us to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ and yet we fail to honour your commandment.

We look at our world today Lord and we still cannot see peace.
Where is the peace, Lord, for the man in the trench waiting to go over the top? Where is the peace, Lord, for the injured soldier waiting for help?
You alone, Lord, protect and comfort us. You alone, Lord, because they are beside us in our conflicts.

Soldiers fight, Lord, because they are ordered to. They protect us from our enemies who want to rule the world. You alone, Lord, send others to help the wounded brave souls who risk life and limb to provide the care they need.

For those who have died, Lord, may they rest in peace. Help us, Lord, to rebuild your world so that all may live in peace and harmony.

We see the battlefield destroyed by bombs and yet, Lord, we see the beauty of the poppy showing us that life will continue. We see your rainbow in the sky, your promise that you will always be with us through the storms of life.

Your love, Lord, is unconditional and we are to love our neighbours unconditionally. Help us, Lord, to speak of your love for others, help them to see that we can live in peace with each other and be the good neighbour you want us to be.

Help us, Lord, to be your beacons of light in our dark world. Help us, Lord, to forgive others and to repent our own selfishness and sins. Help us, Lord, to lead others into the light of your love so that their doubt will turn to faith in you. May your love bring them and us the peace you desire.

May we live in harmony with rejoicing that comes from knowing you. May we all know the same peace you left your disciples. ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’.

Thank you, Lord, that we have the comfort of your word to help us through the darkest times. Help us to be the good neighbour you ask us to be.

You, Lord, give us life. Help us all to live in peace, freedom, love, and faith.

Our Battlefields

Our Battlefields become a funeral pyre
of sacrificial action so dire
Lost forever in mind and mire
Mud and mire.
Body part committed to the ground
Guts, groin and breast and brain
Earth to earth forever reign.
Each man of God united friend afar
In their low burrow
When ashes bought much sorrow

Collect our souls to save…
From this our earthly grave
Dear Lord, dear Lord, who we praise
Amen

Thoughts from a Soldier

Does one have to be cruel to be kind?
Do we first have to be a captive before we can know what true freedom is?
I close my eyes and smell the distinct, putrid, acid smell that lingers in the air, after the bombs dropped, and exploded.
The craters where once homes stood and lives lived…. And the children’s chatter and laughter now, silenced for ever.
Aware my boots hurt, shoulders ache and fingers locked tight on the trigger!
My senses cry out,
Who is the Ally? Who is the Enemy? Is it within?
This is WAR!
Is it mine? Is it yours? Who fails? Who succeeds?
What is the price and how is it paid?
In lives of those who stayed.
How will despair turn into Hope, terror into Calm?
A screeching whizzed past me, shattering my thoughts.
Death and life, are not mine to take.
I am but an instrument in someone’s hands, missiles, bombs explode.
Breathing out, I fall to my knees:
“Forgive my trespasses and I forgive those who trespass against me and my country.
When I am weak be my strength.”
I am not a brave soldier.
The lights went out!

© Shefali Hollis

Kingdom Arts
14th November 2023

November 2023 Gathering

November 14th

Woodbine Willy

A trip down distant memory lane this month as we recalled the work of Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy who lived and worked in Worcester and some of his 1st World War poetry.

The central aisle had a display of books and pictures with remembrance poppies.

Alex welcomed everyone to the gathering including more new faces, we commenced by singing “Great is the darkness that covers the earth” and a version of “the Lord is my Shepherd” – both songs of hope in times of trouble – which were followed by prayers.

Barbara gave a talk about Studdert Kennedy born in Leeds in 1883, a former Vicar of St Paul’s church Worcester, who became famous during the 1st World War, when he ministered to the soldiers and gave them copies of the New Testament along with cigarettes. He was forever after known as “Woodbine Willie”.

He was a prolific writer who wrote articles as well as many poems. One is called “Waste”, which you will find on the November Creative Writing page.

He was a much-loved preacher and worked tirelessly to help the poor and disadvantaged. He died in 1929 and is buried in St. John’s churchyard and commemorated with a statue in Cornmarket.

This morning’s activities:-

The ongoing project continued to make a large, cross shaped hanging, devised of individually designed and sewn hessian squares.

Each square is proving to be be uniquely beautiful and there are many techniques being employed. Splendid fabric, stitching and applique.

There were some canvas backgrounds to be painted ready to mount these on.

The writing focus was to take some of the long list of words and their opposites; for example, war and peace, hatred and love to weave a piece of writing or a poem. Some very moving pieces were written.

Alison brought air drying modelling clay, so that doves could be created and at least partially dried.

There was a table of “junk” materials for constructions to be created without glue, Sellotape or pins. This was quite challenging and leant itself to abstract as well as an interpretation of a dove.

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

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

Today we said, “Farewell” to Comfort, as she returns home to Nigeria after 3 months in England with her family. She sang us a beautiful Blessing and we look forward to her next visit sometime in 2024.

Soup will most definitely be on the menu again next month and of course mince pies will make a brief appearance on December 12th!
Please remember the new start time – Coffee from 10.00, followed by worship and activities, with lunch around 12.40. We hope to welcome you all there.

Barbara Rolison

oooooOOOOOooooo

October 2023 Writing

Jesus let your divine Spirit breathe on me

The writing focus was to take some of the words from “Love Divine” and arrange them so as to inspire creative verse or writing. The results were often very moving. Please do take time to read them.

Words selected from the hymn ‘Love Divine’

Jesus Divine

Jesus
Divine
Alpha Pure Omega
Love
Joy
Grace
Liberty
Compassion

Love Divine

Love Divine: You have always been there for me. You were there at the beginning and I knew of you but didn’t know you.

Love Divine: Your patience is never ending, you wait and nudge with pure unbounded love waiting to enter my trembling heart.

Love Divine: Christmas and Easter have always been special for me even as a child, but it would be years before I would receive and accept your grace.

Love Divine: I heard about you at Sunday school and in school assemblies but I never felt the need to ask you into my life. I only attended church services on special occasions – moved by the hymns but not enough to want to follow you.

Love Divine: I stood before you exchanging vows at our wedding, I stood before you making promises to you at our children’s baptism, once again the words resonated but did not enter my heart.

Love Divine: I finally realised that I had stood before you and made promises that I wasn’t keeping and so I took the children to church to help us all to learn more about your pure unbounded love.

Love Divine: You came into my trembling heart when my mom suffered a massive stroke and would not survive. I received your grace when you answered my prayer to take her home to be with you.

Love Divine: You have helped me grow in love and faith and I can only praise you because of your perfect love.

Love Divine: ‘My chains flew off’ because I have been received into your family, you have restored me and I will forever be lost in wonder, love and praise.

Jesus

I listen to your words of song and begin to move, as the notes of music jump off the page and bring Liberty.

And as they flow over and through me,
Experiencing, I am sitting in the presence of the legacy of a Servant of God.

My spirit responds:
Let your love divine breathes into my heart.
What you have promised; heaven breaks in to deliver.
Joy of heaven and earth come down.

You broke into my world with all its mess. All my lostness???
I pull my scarf over my head and wonder if others will know I have a meeting with you in prayer.

Our time and space.
A message to the masters: –
Alpha and Omega the beginning and the finish

Praise His Name

Praise to the Lord of all creation!
Maker of the heavens and the earth!
The Alpha and Omega!
Praise his name!
From the beginning of time
He was, and is, and is to come.
Perfect in every way,
Lord of all and son of the living God.
Praise his name!

Jesus came to bring us healing,
Forgiveness and restoration.
He said: Do not let your hearts be troubled”
We choose to trust you, Lord.
We praise his name!

He humbled himself, our servant King,
To pay the price for us.
He suffered horrendous, undeserved death
That we might live.
Praise his name!

He said he’ll never leave us and forsake us
And he’s kept his word
He’s left us the wonderful Holy Spirit
To dwell with us, our comforter and
Guide in every moment of our lives.
We praise his name!

You’re everything to us Lord,
We bow before you in thanks and adoration.
We praise his Holy Name!

Love Divine, final verse.

Every time I sing the last verse of ‘Love Divine’, I think of my Friend Penny and her daughter (Rachel) born with cystic fibrosis. Penny was a physiotherapist and she had to help clear her own daughter’s chest using her skill from training.

We had shared a house together before she was married, and she knew that I was full of [compassion] for her and her daughter’s condition. She asked me to pray. As I settled quietly into a place of listening for what I could possibly pray, the words of the last verse came to me.
Finish then thy new [creation]
[Pure] and [spotless] let us be … Just that.

I didn’t know what possible help that would be, but I told her anyway and reassured her that I would continue, long term, to persist with the need for answers. At this point her eyes opened wide and she explained how the spotty welts on skin were a big thing in Rachel’s condition.

My [wonder] enlarged and I asked God the question ‘Could this be Your promise that one day we would have an answer to our long-term prayers?

[Joy] came, years later when the cure for cystic fibrosis was found. Penny’s happiness over flowed as she explained to me that hospital visits had decreased dramatically and Rachel’s skin had completely [changed] !
It was [perfectly] [restored].

She still has to be careful, but her life was radically different and her chances to play her favourite instrument was increased dramatically.

Our God had [delivered] what he had [promised].