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9th October 2018

“The Parable of the Prodigal Son”
Luke 15:11-32

Our new season of meetings is based on the parables of Jesus and interpreting their meaning or sparking interpretational ideas through writing, craftwork, art or music.

Following praise through songs accompanied by our amazing musicians and vocalists, a reading of the parable of the Prodigal Son, and starting points from members of the team; our group, including new members and visitors explored the activities on offer.

Creative writing explored feelings and how to express or seek forgiveness, while the free drawing with charcoal expanded the parable into visual art.
Words around the concept of feelings were translated into posters.

Felting [in this instance, making pig shapes with felt pressed through by stabbing with a needle] was offered for the first time and was so much enjoyed that it will surely be offered again.

The making of a “simple balance” was a challenge in dexterity and scientific principle. [Do look at the photographs.]

Finally came an innovative retelling of the Prodigal Son using a puppet theatre. The performance was a unique presentation, so enjoyable and such fun.

The discussion and sharing of ideas at the end of the morning was dynamic, personal and very thoughtful. The exploration of the meaning of the parable and the concept of forgiveness had been explored both on a personal level and within several of the groups.

We ended with a sung grace.

A delicious choice of pear and parsnip or mushroom soup was offered for lunch accompanied by bread, cheese and cake with an opportunity to continue conversations.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday November 13th.
We will be delighted if you would join us.

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For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

For this month’s words, see Creative Writing

For this month’s drama, see Oct 2018 Puppet Theatre

11th September 2018

“The Parable of the Sower”
Matthew 13:1-9,18-23

Our new season of meetings will be based on the parables of Jesus and interpreting their meaning or sparking interpretational ideas through writing, craftwork, art or music.

Following praise through song, a reading of the parable of the sower and starting points from members of the team; our group, including new members and visitors explored the activities on offer.

Interesting Origami birds were a new challenge to interpret the birds who fed on the seeds, whilst stones representing the rocky ground, were decorated in colourful designs.

Watercolour paintings using seed as inspiration led to philosophical interpretation of seeds bursting forth and dispersing. This idea was also discussed by the writing group.

Meanwhile embroidery and beads embellished the earth coloured squares interpreting the meaning of the good and fertile soil bringing forth abundance.

The discussion and sharing of ideas at the end of the morning was dynamic, personal and very thoughtful. The concept of ourselves as seeds waiting for the point of germination and growth into Christian belief and action was explored in several of the groups.

A delicious choice of soup, bread, cheese and cake was offered for lunch with an opportunity to continue conversations.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday October 9th. You are most welcome to join us.

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For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

For this month’s words, see Creative Writing

12th June 2018

“Jesus calms the storm”
Mark 4:35-41

Today, our songs, worship and prayers were based around the reading and made for calm and a quiet meaningful start to what was the last session for the next few months, as we all take a chance to refresh and renew.

The central aisle was decorated with fabrics representing water and a rather striking boat which announced the theme.

There were several water based activities:

Origami boats with a range of difficulty and complexity. So many rose to the challenge and a colourful selection resulted.

The free painting opportunity to create seascapes was joyfully accessed and paint and water flowed across the paper with stunning results and much satisfaction.

The pillows for Jesus to lay his head were beautifully embroidered and decorated, please see the picture gallery.

Drawing and colouring and creative writing were also available giving more opportunities for quiet discussion and thought.

A highlight was the music making with percussion listening to each other and making sounds to reflect storms and tranquillity was for some a moving experience and left us all with a sense of achievement and unity.

A time for sharing our work was an essential part of the end of the morning and after prayer we enjoyed either mushroom or “enhanced” vegetable soup (or both!)

We meet to start a new series of Kingdom Arts on Tuesday September 11th with coffee at 9.30 when we all hope to welcome you again.

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For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

For this month’s words, see Creative Writing

“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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