Author: Editor

“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”

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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.

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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.

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For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

For this month’s words, see Creative Writing

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.

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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!