Category: News

June 13th

Alex welcomed everyone to our last session before the summer break.

We began with prayer and worship songs accompanied by our musicians, including “Make me a Channel of your Peace” whilst the display on the carpet was mostly fabric, with flowers and lots of birds, a clue to today’s theme based around

St Francis of Assisi.

 

Jan Kear in a new role, then began to unfold the life of St. Francis, Patron Saint of animals and the environment, and his inspiration and achievements. What an interesting and eventful life he had. [1182-1226]

Sue then introduced the activities available.

The bird feeder table led by Lyn and Clive was immediately very popular with different designs of feeder in different materials. Some assembly was required and was a challenge without instructions! The results were very professional and the birds will love them.

The clay plaque making of a model of St. Francis was tackled in different ways and there was much discussion. The results were wonderful, an inspired idea from Alison, who was there to help.

There was writing inspired by the theme of nature and God’s world.

To see this month’s creative writing, click here.

The ongoing project for book making with colourful covers and glued and stitched pages, with some completing a new Zig Zag book which opened like a concertina. We were guided by Sue who was on hand to assist and advise.

The colouring activity was popular and aided lively conversation.

 

The prayerful knitting was available as usual, which is a very calming and meditative activity with time to rest and pray.

Coffee and biscuits were available throughout the morning. Thank you, Carolyn and all who rallied around.

Finally, there was the opportunity to exhibit and share our art work before the prayer and the blessing. The gift of a special card with the prayer of St Francis was given to everyone who came.

St Francis of Assisi Prayer. [1182-1226]
You are Holy Lord;
the only God and your deeds are wonderful.
You are love, you are wisdom, you are humility,
you are endurance you are rest, you are peace.
You are joy and gladness, you are all riches and you suffice for us.
You are beauty, you are gentleness,
you are our protector, you are our guardian and defender.
You are courage, you are our haven and hope.
You are our faith, our great consolation,
you are our eternal life, great and wonderful Lord,
God Almighty, merciful Saviour.
Amen

There was a slight delay as we rearranged for the picnic as, amazingly, it was just too hot to sit outside. What a wonderful spread! sandwiches, sausage rolls and many other delicious savoury items and lovely strawberries and cream as well as mini Pavlovas and cheesecake.

Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped.

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Our next meeting will be on Tuesday September 12th starting at 10.00am with coffee from 9.30.

A warm Kingdom Arts welcome awaits all.

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May 9th

Normally, our sessions are led by Alex and Sue, but Alex was unable to attend because of illness, so Sue introduced today’s theme

The clue to today’s ‘Heroes of Faith’ was the display on the carpet: – emblems of a flag, a badge, photographs, quotations and tambourines.

This month’s “Heroes of Faith” was William and Catherine Booth, founders of the Salvation Army.

We began with a short period of worship which included singing and prayer. Then Barbara told the story of the amazing lives of William and Catherine Booth and the foundation of the Salvation Army and explained the symbolism of their emblem. Many of us were not aware of the important role Catherine had. It was a very interesting talk and you might like to search the internet to find out more for yourselves. If you search for ‘William and Catherine Booth’, you will find a wealth of information.

The morning’s activities included making family tree banners. This was prompted by the ‘Family tracing’ service offered by the Salvation Army’ and attracted several people. There was some inventive gluing rather than stitching and plenty of discussion.

The ongoing project for book making with colourful covers and glued and stitched pages was guided by Sue who was on hand to assist and advise, with some completing their book with inside pages which was so satisfying.

The colouring activity was popular and aided mindfulness and great concentration.

There was also much debating at the writing table.

The prayerful knitting was available as usual, which is very calming and meditative activity with time to rest and pray.

Coffee and cake were available throughout the morning. Thank you, Margaret and Carolyn.

Finally, there was the opportunity to exhibit and share our art work before we sang with an unusual accordion and tambourine accompaniment “I’ll go in the strength of the Lord.”

The prayer and the blessing completed our morning and we moved to the Magdalene room for Jan’s home-made soup, where we were offered a choice of tomato and apple, or spinach, with bread and cheese, cake and fruit. They were, as usual, delicious.

We all wish Alex a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her soon.

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Our next meeting will be on Tuesday June 13th starting at 10.00am with coffee from 9.30, and a shared picnic lunch.
We pray for a fine day so that we are able to gather in the garden.

A warm Kingdom Arts welcome awaits all.

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March 14th

This month’s activities were inspired by the life of

Mary Jones (1794-1864)

who lived in Abergynolwyn, Wales. As a young girl, her desire to possess a bible of her own caused her to save for 6 years, walk 26 miles barefoot to meet the only individual in the area who sold Bibles – the Reverend Thomas Charles.

He was so impressed by Mary’s visit, he proposed the formation of a society to supply reasonably priced Bibles to the people of Wales, eventually leading to the ‘The British and Foreign Bible Society’ – now ‘The Bible Society’.

An array of Bibles was displayed, [the oldest dated from 1611] with Welsh symbols of fabric, flags and daffodils, not forgetting leeks and a photograph of Mary Jones.

They indicated that the theme would reflect the passion of this amazing young woman and her barefoot walk to buy a bible.

As usual, we began our morning with a short time of worship including song and prayer.

Jan B gave a very heart-warming talk about Mary Jones and others who were so desperate to have a bible and to use it. The story of a young Ugandan boy who Jan and her husband had visited, to take him a bible which was what he really wanted and was delighted to receive, was the most touching.

CREATIVE WRITING
The theme certainly inspired some wonderful and deeply thoughtful writing.

To see this month’s creative writing, click here.

All manner of other creative activities was on offer this morning, including an ongoing project for book making with colourful covers and glued and stitched pages this was guided by guided by Sue and Karen.

 

RAG RUGGING TABLE WORKSHOP
We were shown how to make Welsh Daffodil and Easter Cross cards using a rag rugging technique by prodding strips of coloured material into small squares of hessian . The hessian was then mounted onto a folded card.

WELSH DAFFODIL SUNCATCHERS
Painting some suncatchers with acrylic paint to hang in the windows at home.

BIBLE SOCIETY
The “6 Beats One Story” was played during the morning. This is a journey through the Bible in spoken word poetry. Beat 1 “Origins” was watched which was the first 3 Chapters of Genesis.
We hope to bring a different “beat” each month.

You can watch and listen to this presentation on The Bible Society website.

The link below will take you to the correct page (please note if you click the link, you will leave the Kingdom Arts website), then you just need to scroll down to find “Beat 1 – Origins”

Click here >> Bible Society : Six Beats One Story

The prayerful knitting was available as usual, which is very calming and meditative activity with time to rest and pray.

Coffee and biscuits were available throughout the morning. Thank you, Pam and Carolyn.

Finally, there was the opportunity to exhibit and share our art work, and talk about how the activities made us feel.

Sue enthralled us as she played the harp and filled the church with music and we finished with the Lord’s Prayer in Welsh (a recording as no one present could speak Welsh!), and a blessing.

Jan’s home-made soup offered a choice of red pepper or pea and mint. They were flavoursome and warming. The selection of cake was also much enjoyed, with the addition of home-made Welsh cakes especially made for the occasion. Thank you, Christine.

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Unfortunately, the meeting on April 18th has had to be cancelled.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday May 9th starting at 10.00am with coffee from 9.30.  The theme of Heroes of Faith continues and the ever-popular soup lunch and a warm Kingdom Arts welcome awaits all.

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February 14th

A Dutch theme was evident this morning with clogs, tulips and delft patterns on display alongside an array of handmade books.
Alex offered a warm welcome to all and we gathered to sing “Christ be our Light “and “Such Love”.

 

Alison G gave a talk about

Corrie Ten Boon

a brave Christian, and watchmaker, who hid Jews in her house in Holland during the war as part of an escape route, until she and her sister were arrested and taken to a series of concentration camps. Following that experience Corrie continued her long life as a Christian speaker and writer.

A time of prayer and reflection followed, where we prayed for the earthquake victims, survivors and aid agencies.
All of the creative activities centred around the Dutch theme.

Cherry led a group in Origami where the task was to fold the paper into a tulip. It transpired that this was “open to interpretation” and some of the group’s tulips had a slightly different design.

There was a table for book making with colourful covers and glued and stitched pages and this will be an ongoing process with more to learn each month guided by Sue.

The free art table gave opportunities to experiment with the Delft pottery palate of blue and white.

The card making with Alison G featured cogs and wheels to reflect the work of our Hero. The designs were imaginative and the card could be used to write a memorable phrase or a message.

The prayerful knitting was available as usual, which is very calming and meditative activity with time to rest and pray.

For those who wished to express themselves in writing, there was the creative writing table, a jug of tulips to provide inspiration and jog memories.

To see this month’s creative writing, click here.

Coffee and biscuits were available throughout the morning. Thank you, Pam.

Finally, there was the opportunity to exhibit and share our art work, talk about how the activities made us feel and finish with a blessing
The home-made soup offered a choice of sweet potato or broccoli soup, with optional additions of peanuts or Spring onions. They were pronounced delicious! The selection of cake was also much enjoyed, the lemon drizzle was moist and yummy!

Our next meeting is on Tuesday March 14th starting from 10.00am with coffee from 9.30. The theme of Heroes of Faith continues and the ever-popular soup lunch and a warm Kingdom Arts welcome to all.

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January 10th

Our first meeting of 2023 started off with a very ‘buzzy’ feeling as we had new people and many old friends who came. There was even a queue for refreshments (many thanks to Pam and Carolyn) before we started.

The life and work of
Gladys Aylward
in China

 

Following our theme of ‘heroes of faith’, we reflected on the life of Gladys Aylward, the British missionary who went to China. Jan K. gave us a lively overview of her life and pointed out some of the discrepancies between it and as depicted in the film of her life ‘The Inn of the 6th Happiness’.

As she helped to stop the practice of binding the feet of little girls in China we used shoes as our prayer focus and imagined what it would be like to walk in the shoes of others. It was a ‘pass the shoe’ prayer time which gave us an opportunity to reflect on the lives of others through footwear.

We had a wonderful choice of Chinese themed activities to participate in including ‘willow’ art with Karen,

making Chinese lanterns and concertinaed dragons with Alison,

Chinese characters and cutting out

Chinese symbols organised by Sue.

When we gathered together we shared what we’d done and heard some wonderful creative writing inspired by our reflection on Gladys.

Shafali shared memories of hearing Gladys speak when she was at school and how hearing about her had inspired her in later life.

The soup, as usual, was delicious. An old favourite, leek and potato, and tomato and basil. It was very welcome and warming. We also had some delicious cakes to finish off.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday, 14th February starting from 10.00am with coffee from 9.30. A warm Kingdom Arts welcome awaits you all. We look forward to seeing you then.

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December 13th

 

The wonderful display of many different Nativity scenes from across the world greeted all who came: sets from Peru, Germany, African countries and Bethlehem were laid out.

Alex offered a warm welcome to those who were making their first visit and we began with some joyful seasonal singing and then followed a “Drama” about the Incarnation, to start everyone thinking.

All of the creative activities centred around the Christmas theme.

There was plenty to make: tiny matchbox cribs, made by decorating a matchbox and a small pebble.

The hanging decorations of folded paper angels, were described as “easy” by Alison who was fortunately on hand to assist the group.

Lego sets were available to encourage creative building of the Nativity with added scenic extras and an Angel on horseback!

Beautiful pastel pictures of mother and child were drawn [please do look at the pictures]

The prayerful knitting was available as well as a colouring activity, both of which are very calming and meditative.

Coffee and mince pies were plentiful and certainly helped to keep us warm, thank you Pam and Carolyn.

For those who wished to express themselves in writing, there was the creative writing table, others became more divergent! and an oral discussion exploring the meaning of “Fear Not “ensued, which added something different to the shared session.

At the end of the morning there was the opportunity to exhibit and share our art work, talk about how the activities made us feel and celebrate together by lighting candles and singing.

The home-made soup offered a choice of either purple soup, or parsnip with walnuts and maple syrup if it took your fancy. The latter was unusual and delicious!

The festive selection of cake to follow was also much enjoyed, thanks to Jane.

Our first meeting next year is on Tuesday January 10th starting from 10.00am with coffee from 9.30, the ever-popular soup lunch and a warm Kingdom Arts welcome to all.

We hope you had a Merry Christmas and you have a Happy New Year.

Our first meeting next year is on Tuesday January 10th starting at 10.00am with coffee from 9.30, followed by the ever-popular soup lunch. A warm Kingdom Arts welcome awaits you all. We look forward to seeing you then.

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November 8th

This month we had a solemn beginning to our session, as we remembered and paid tribute to Vikki Moore RIP who had died so unexpectedly two weeks earlier, after a short illness.

Led by Alex, we prayed for David and family members and also her friends at Kingdom Arts who were saddened and shocked by her death. We had a few minutes of contemplative silence.

Alison Moore had volunteered to play for us, as we sang hymns including “Hosanna”.

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Then we continued our series looking at the lives of influential Christians or “Heroes of Faith” by learning about

Archbishop Oscar Romero
from El Salvador.

The short talk from Barbara R helped us to explore the life and mission of Oscar Romero, who passionately and bravely fought for the rights of the poor and voiceless people of San Salvador and died a martyr.
This led us naturally into the exploration of the art and craft of South America, and there was plenty to choose from;

First of all were wonderful wooden crosses to be decorated with acrylic paint, so gloriously colourful.

Next was an outline of a Condor; a design to be filled with mosaic pieces, which were both intricate and delicate.

Alison Griffin taught us how to make woven plaited bracelets, using embroidery thread, a lovely activity to free our thoughts and help us to talk and work together.

For those who wished to express themselves in writing, there was the creative writing table, where there was much discussion and expressing of thoughts as ideas flowed.

The prayerful knitting was available as well as a colouring activity, both of which are very calming and meditative.

Coffee and biscuits essential to keep us going, were plentiful thank you Pam and Carolyn.

At the end of the morning there was the opportunity to share our art work, creative writing and feelings.

The home-made soup offered a choice of either, carrot and coriander, or tomato apple and celery both of which were hugely enjoyed and delicious! The cake to follow was also much enjoyed.

Our meeting next month is on December 13th starting at 10.00am with coffee from 9.30, followed by the ever-popular soup and there was a mention of mince pies!
We look forward to seeing you then.

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June 14th

It was the last meeting of the summer and we were in the mood for a celebratory picnic!
The singing of the chorus “You’re the Author of creation” was joyous as was the rendering of one of my favourites “Be still for the presence of the Lord”

A marvellous display of miniature figures reflected in a mirror, formed the backdrop to a display representing the feeding of the 5000.

Alex introduced the retelling of the story, in a small group roleplay.
Prayers and reflection followed and Alex introduced the activities.

Lyn explained about the fish collage, Vicky the cross-stitch key rings, and Alison the modelling activity of loaves and fish to add to the models. Other activities were charcoal drawing of a still life picnic scene, prayerful knitting and creative writing.

The cross-stitch activity was delicate and beautifully completed by several of our group. It looked simple, but nimble fingers and good eyesight were essential, as well as concentration.

There was lively chatter from the collage group, who knitted or stuck fish onto a collage background of water. Tissue paper, fabrics buttons and wool were on hand. One quote from the morning was “What I enjoy is conversations and all the chat as we do the craft”

The modelling group were a little quieter but had intense discussions – including the size of fish in lake Galilee! – as they concentrated on miniature baskets, bread and fish.

The still life scene was beautifully capture by ladies who refused to be called artists.

As always, we also had the creative writing corner. You can read some of their work on the Creative Writing pages.

We gathered at the end of the morning to share our experiences; both the joys and the difficulties, and we were delighted to be joined at that point by David New.

We learned a new version of a song about 5000 hungry folk; requiring fast finger actions! Such fun. The sung blessing was shared.

Then we adjourned to the quiet garden for sandwiches, fruit, cakes and scones and cream.

We were all well fed and so said farewell until September.

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The next meeting is on Tuesday September 14th with coffee from 9.30.

Please come and join us, but do check this site or our Facebook page before your journey to make sure the session is not cancelled!

May 10th

We began with an introduction from Alex followed by singing “Praise is rising” which together with “He is lord” was accompanied by some of our musicians; thus, setting the scene for an active and creative morning.

Mother Theresa

Alex led us in a time of prayer and reflection, and then Jan Kear gave a fascinating talk and biography of Mother Theresa as part of our series looking at the lives of influential Christians or “Heroes of Faith.”

What a full and interesting life led by this remarkable woman! Her work in the poorest areas of Kolkata [Calcutta] was true missionary zeal.

Sue, Alex and Alison explained the activities for the morning: some Indian crafts, regular activities and the start of a project for next month’s “feeding of the five thousand”.

There was a very popular table with Rangoli patterns using glue, stencils and powder paint with glitter and also one with stamps to design a Mandala pattern, involving great concentration, meditation and care.

Then we had expert tuition from Alison who introduced Mudroc!
Figures were fashioned using strips of paper and damp strips of Mudroc, wrapped in layers around pipe cleaner figures of all shapes and sizes and postures.
Some dexterity was required and it sparked plenty of conversation. This activity will continue in June.

The prayerful knitting was available as well as a colouring activity, which are very calming.

The coffee was plentiful, thank you Pam, and aided the creative writing.

Click here to read this month’s writing > May Writing

At the end of the morning we learned the song ‘Jesus the Lord said I am the bread’, delightfully accompanied by an Appalachian dulcimer, a Shruti, an Indian drum and Indian bells.

There was the opportunity to share our art work, creative writing and feelings.

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Our next meeting is planned for Tuesday June 14th from 9.30, with (fingers crossed) a picnic lunch in the quiet garden!!

Please come and join us, but do check this site or our Facebook page before your journey to make sure the session is not cancelled!

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