As we had reached December, and the end of another year we celebrated Christmas and the coming of Jesus. The aisle was decorated with a number of wonderful and different Nativity sets and Sparkling Christmas fabric and a magically lit display . . . .

. . . . setting the scene for the unfolding of the Nativity Icon by Andrei Rublev.

Alex then explained the painting dating from Russia in the 15th century and painted by one of the best iconographers. The different images within the picture were identified and described in detail.

The morning’s festive activities all focused on symbols of the season.

Alison brought paper to fold into tall and majestic angels, all the participants were delighted with the result. The conversation included a discussion on angels and who had felt their presence!

There was also a second paper folding table led by Maggie and involved folding paper from books into a circle to make a candle. [although one participant caused merriment and havoc by reading aloud from a book.] The candles were impressive and patience was needed.

Cherry led a sewing activity using cross stitch which was delicate and once again concentration was needed.

Circles of wood were made available by Sue to turn into a hanging decoration with a Christmas scene drawn painted or made as a collage.

The writing focus was very open; to write about Christmas and the thought-provoking results are available on our Creative Writing page.

The usual opportunities for colouring were not available this morning, causing someone to exclaim they had to do some work!

There was a tree to decorate.

You will find samples of some of the morning’s creations in this month’s Gallery.

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

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We ended the mornings activities by gathering to share our efforts and we sat with lighted candles in a darkened church to sing “Like a candle flame”
It was a moving ending.

A lunch followed with soup, made by Jan K, this month it was “purple” soup(!), or carrot and coriander. There was bread, cheese, fruit, home-made cakes, and more mince pies.

We wish you all a Very Merry Christmas.

We hope you will come and after a month’s break we meet in 2025 on Tuesday, 11th February. Coffee from 10.00, followed by worship and activities, with lunch around 12.30.

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12th November

A true celebratory mood at today’s meeting at the start of our 10th year; of course, there was a birthday cake! And we all sang Happy Birthday!

The aisle was decorated with African cloth and beautiful artefacts and a picture of the 10 modern martyrs carved on Westminster Abbey, as our theme was Africa.

Alex welcomed us enthusiastically to the beginning of our 10th year as Kingdom Arts!

We began with enthusiastic singing of “Blessed be your name” and the joyful African song “Thuma Mina”

Barbara gave a talk about Ugandan martyr Archbishop Janani Luwum, a brave and devoted Christian, passionate about his country, who was not afraid to challenge the military dictator Idi Amin and was executed for his faith and for standing up to the regime.

Sue then described some of the exciting activities which we could try, embracing the theme of Africa.

There was a table devised by Sue for making a mask, using recycled card from boxes. This was made extra challenging by limiting the colours to those of the Ugandan flag [red, yellow and black]

 

A popular table was set up for making and embellishing clay coil pots. Quite intricate and needing concentration and some skill.

 

A regular and always favourite table was the colouring of patterns in bright pen, with time to talk with each other.

 

There was also the usual opportunity for contemplative, prayerful, knitting, a lovely time for quiet reflection.

Lynn ensured that the sewing machines were available for use, as she led and advised the group to make lovely bags in African print fabrics, either with a drawstring or a folded flap.

 

The writing focus was to take inspiration from African poetry and there were varied pieces of writing and poetry.

The drumming workshop was led by Sue and greatly enjoyed.

 

To hear excerpts of the drumming,
go to the ‘Music’ option in the website Menu.

Pam kept us refreshed with coffee or tea throughout. Thank you!

We ended the morning’s activities by gathering to share our creative efforts, and the experiences. We all had an opportunity to listen to the drumming group as they performed two pieces :- the song ‘Amen Siakudumisa’  and one of the creative writing pieces, which was accompanied by ‘African’ drumming.

 

Then came the choosing of gifts, which each person brought to put into a basket, what an array of thoughtful and often handmade items. Thank you to everyone for taking part and making the occasion special and memorable.

We moved to the Magdalene room for Jan’s soup, accompanied by bread, cheese and fruit.

The beautiful birthday cake was cut and eaten! Thank you to Jane for making and decorating it.

We now anticipate our Christmas themed meeting on Tuesday 10th December 2024, when we will hear about a Nativity icon.

Coffee from 10.00, followed by worship and activities, with lunch by 12.30.

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8th October

Alex welcomed us to  the start of our new year and next month we celebrate the beginning of the 10th year as Kingdom Arts!

Today’s activities were based on Holman Hunt’s famous picture “The Light of the World”, illuminated by a lantern and a superbly glittering picture.

We began with a short time of worship, including songs and prayer.

Jan B gave a talk based on the life of Holman Hunt, starting from his poverty in childhood, through his struggle to become a recognised painter and his recognition late in life. She carefully described how to interpret the picture and all the signs within it. It’s such a beautiful, symbolic and moving piece of art, which sparked off thoughts on Jesus as our light in the darkness, and the door that hadn’t been opened.

The morning’s activities were inspired by the following verses:

• “I am the Light of the World.” John 8:12
• “Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock, and the door will be opened unto you.” Luke 11:9
• “Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they will eat with me.”  Revelation 3:20

We were also inspired by the symbolism in the painting:

• Light: the lantern of conscience and the light round Christ’s head, salvation.
• The door: the human soul. The door has never been opened,  no handle.
• Christ is asking permission to enter: Christ himself is the door.
• Morning star:  the dawn of a new day.
• Weeds and overgrowth and fallen fruit: the autumn of life.

The activities, based around light, and doors were:

Making a cut-out doorway within a picture frame.

Water colours to capture shining light and embellish it with stitching. Some effective pictures evolved.

A still life with a decorative lantern, not an easy subject when the light was shining through and around it.

Colouring of patterns related to the theme, in bright pen, ideal for a quiet exchange of views.

The writing focus was to take inspiration from doors. One could then imagine scenarios of doors and what they revealed behind. There were excellent creative pieces as a result. See the Creative Writing pages.

Throughout the morning we were kept refreshed by Pam.

We ended the morning’s activities by gathering to share our creative efforts.

We then enjoyed a lunch of soup, parsnip and apple, or carrot and coriander, and bread and cheese. There was plenty of cake too! – as well as fruit for the health conscious.

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We now anticipate our celebration on Tuesday 12th November 2024, when we will have a “secret gift” exchange to celebrate. Please wrap your gift to give (handmade or bought but significant to the ethos of Kingdom Arts), and you will be able to receive another.

As usual, coffee will be from 10.00am, followed by worship and activities, with lunch around 12.30

A warm Kingdom Arts welcome awaits all.

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FUTURE GATHERINGS AT KINGDOM ARTS

I hope you have had a restful Summer, catching up with family and friends. I don’t think you would have found too much sun in England though! This is a reminder to everyone that we will be returning to our gatherings on October 8th at 10am. We have been planning some interesting and exciting ideas to look at and lots to help us be creative. This term we’ve decided to take as our theme “Artists and Martyrs”.

Firstly, we will look at Christian Artists and find out about them as well as looking at their work to help us understand the story behind the picture or sculpture or stained glass window.

 

It’s been exciting choosing who to study first and we’ve come up with Holman Hunt’s picture of “The Light of the World” to start us off.

It’s a very famous picture but how many of us understand the details contained within it that point us to God? Come and find out!

 

The next month (12th November) we shall look at a famous 20th Century Christian martyr and their story of faith. Do you know about the statues of the 10 martyrs of the 20th Century that decorate the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey? They were unveiled in 1998. We thought it might be interesting and stimulating to investigate some of them, and their stories will certainly be an encouragement to get creative!

Click here to go to the Westminster Abbey website and see the statues

We look forward to seeing you as it’s been a long time since we met. I am sure Jan is thinking about some more delicious soups to serve to us. We shall look forward to your news and sharing together.

Kingdom Arts is such a wonderful place where an amazingly gifted, and friendly group of people come to gather each month. We come because we love meeting together, learning together, praying and singing together as well as eating and laughing together.

COME AND VISIT US ANYTIME AND EXPERIENCE THIS SPECIAL COMMUNITY.