March Gathering

14th March 2017

Jesus visits the city of Jericho

“Go your faith has made you well”

The meeting began with reading Mark 10 v 46-52 and thinking about Jesus healing the blind man.

The March theme was based on a labyrinth.

Editor: For those who don’t know (I didn’t), although a labyrinth may look like a maze, it’s not the same. A maze can have lots of different paths, some of which may be dead-ends. A labyrinth has only one path which leads you from the entrance to the goal; there are no alternative routes or dead-ends.

A huge cloth labyrinth was laid out to walk upon and assist our praying or thinking. This month’s activities included painting, colouring and stitching a labyrinth onto cloth or paper. The finished items could be put into the small fabric bags which were sewn last month to assist in prayer. A labyrinth to write thoughts on was also available.

The textile tree of life was further enhanced with embellishments added and the many leaves and birds are a delight to look at and to touch with so many different textures, soft, smooth, raised, bumpy and fluffy come to mind!

The large Celtic cross is intricate and beautiful to see developing and we were delighted to have David back directing developments as the colouring in of the Celtic patterns always needs much concentration. David’s new challenge, which many took up, was Balsa wood cut outs.
Prayerful knitting has grown to completion and is now to be “cast off”. So look out for something new next month!

The sharing at the end of the morning was most enjoyable with many excellent thoughts on the ups and downs in life’s journey.
This month’s soup was carrot, orange and hint of ginger, deliciously different. Thank you to Jan.

We meet again on Tuesday April 4th [a week earlier than usual] please come and join us.


For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

For this month’s written word, see Creative Writing.

February Gathering

14th February 2017

Jesus on the mountain

“and he spent the night in prayer to God”

Our February meeting began with reading Luke chapter 6 verses 12-16 and thinking about Jesus praying at the top of the mountain.

The atmosphere was one of intense concentration on learning and applying new skills as a smaller number than usual met together.
Small fabric bags were sewn to assist in prayer, with the contents of a labyrinth to be made next month. Painting a design onto candles was much enjoyed and needed great concentration and a steady hand, as did the Celtic pattern making which presented its usual challenges. Frames were decorated in order to contain a bible verse or prayer.

The textile tree of life was added to with more leaves and birds taking their place and there was ongoing prayerful knitting which continues to grow.

The sharing at the end of the morning gave an insight into the huge effort everyone makes to enjoy the range and complexity of each activity.
This month’s lunch featured a delicious purple soup!

We meet again on Tuesday March 14th; please come and join us.


For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

January Gathering

10th January 2017

The Baptism of Jesus

At this first meeting in 2017 we were delighted to welcome Archdeacon Robert to lead our worship. The focus was the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan. Mark 1 verses 9-11.
Archdeacon Robert then led a glorious singing workshop exploring the Kyrie Eleison, asking for God’s help and mercy. This was followed by Alleluia refrains thanking God. We learned to listen, express emotion, smile and feel the sincerity of the words we sang and indeed the presence and power of the Lord.
Craft activities abounded, including making a concertina book with decorated covers needing skill and control, the results were intricate and beautiful.
Work continues on intricate Celtic knot patterns and the Tree of Life tapestry which is really taking shape with many more decorated leaves.
The writing focussed on words from the biblical text, such as Beloved, which could be expanded into ideas and poetry.
The many pieces of work were celebrated and shared as we gathered together at the end of the morning to sing praises around a symbolic river Jordan.
A delicious lunch of soup, bread, and cake was much enjoyed by everyone.

We meet again on February 14th 2017.


For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

December Gathering

13th December 2016

Sing for joy before the Lord; for He is coming

Our meeting began with joyful music celebrating the birth of Jesus, written and composed by David M, a reading of the Nativity from Luke Chapter 2, and Psalm 96.
The activities included making a decoration with a red candle, foliage and berries, what a stunning centrepiece for the Christmas table!
The Madonna and child watercolours were truly beautiful, clay stars were delicate and sparkly and intricate Celtic knot patterns tested the creative and those with an engineer’s mind.
The quilt continues to be enhanced with more detail and intricate stitch work and there are opportunities for everyone to add to it over time.
The whole morning was enhanced by moments of quiet thoughtfulness in the candlelight as we all look forward to Christmas.
We hope to see you again on January 10th 2017
Meanwhile we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.


For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

November Gathering

8th November 2016

Amazing first birthday at Kingdom Arts

The morning began with praise and prayer and recognition of our wonderful first year exploring creativity through faith. (And the promise of cake!)
The theme for the session was based on Psalm 1 and the book of Revelation 22.  “Like trees planted by streams of water which yield their fruit in its season”
We began work on an innovative quilt showing the tree of life, with streams of water and opportunities for everyone’s involvement. Glorious fabrics, bright paper, threads, sequins and joy abounded. Birds, leaves and a flowing river were created around the tree.
Flowers created by “the Lads” with fabric pleated and tied with a central button were in evidence; previous examples can be seen in our 2017 calendar.
Some thoughtful words were written on paper leaves to accompany it.
Finally always an uplifting time, the gathering together to show and explain our work and give thanks for God’s inspiration. His spirit is working among us.
Then there was lunch and the magnificent celebration first birthday cake!


For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

October Gathering

11th October 2016

“Lord show me the way”… these were the words painted on a beautiful banner donated by Trevor for use at our Gatherings. The theme for the day was Psalm 23 – which refers to being lead “in paths of righteousness”, and which fitted in so well with introducing this new gloriously decorated banner.

Origami fish, bluebells and birds accompanied “the still waters and green pastures”, embroidered sheep, words of the psalm in decorative script, creative plates of food for thought on the “table set before us” …. All this brought alive for our delight after the hearing and the reading of the psalm. 

Next month we celebrate our 1st Birthday. Come and join in the Party!


For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

For this month’s written word, see Creative Writing.

Wall Calendar for 2017

01-calendar

We are thrilled to announce that our calendar for the year 2017, showing pictures of the work we created in our first year, is now on sale.

Price £5 each.

Contact us if you want to order a copy; or purchase directly at one of the monthly gatherings.

Some sample pages:

September Gathering

20th September 2016

We began our second year, meeting old friends or making new friends, over a cup of tea or coffee in St George’s Church on Tuesday morning. The theme was ‘Exploring the Psalms,’ beginning with the psalms of praise.  We read from psalm 8, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars ….”

Many people perceive a beauty in the world of nature that they observe around them. But not everyone acknowledges a Maker of this universe and responds to him in praise. We were invited to create something that in some way expresses our praise to the One whose beauty we perceive in the things around us.

Some embroidered biblical words of praise; others sat and created words of their own; some painted; some produced a work of collage. One group created a mobile out of paper-made geometrical regular solids with words of praise written on the sides. The balance and the movement represented the Maker’s delicacy and harmony in all that he has made.

There is, of course, a dark side within creation – wars, illness, abuse, injustice – that, for some, denies the biblical statement that ‘it is good.’ Expressing praise for the beauty expresses the biblical faith that though there is darkness, yet, “The light shines on in the darkness and the darkness has never quenched it.”

Some 30 people gathered and shared. Some people move from table to table; others stay on one project. There are spaces to be alone and sit and reflect.

Jan produced her wonderful soups, as usual, for us – each month a different choice and amazing varieties!