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May Gathering

9th May 2017

Jesus at the Sea of Tiberias
“Cast your net to the right side of the boat”

The morning began with a reading from John 21 v 1-15 and by the end of the session “every time I looked, everyone was engrossed and focussed on fish”
The range of skill in each of the activities was wonderful.

The printed fish using oil paint and rollers to create patterns was so colourful and effective. The Hama bead designs of fish boats and the cross though fiddly, were bright images created from the reading. The sewn and stuffed fish were individually designed and took on their own characters! whilst  the clay fish were patterned and shaped with great care.

In creative writing some profound thoughts emerged.

The final display up the aisle was a glorious tribute encouraging us to think of the image of Jesus and his disciples having breakfast on the beach.

Why not come and join us and share in praise, activities and delicious soup on Tuesday June 13th before we take a summer break?

For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

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

April Gathering

4th April 2017

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

The April activities were designed around the Garden of Gethsemane.
We were delighted to welcome new people to our group, including visitors from Gloucester who wanted to experience what we do.

A dramatic dialogue started the morning with the Narrator and Jesus telling the events in the garden. This was based on Matthew, Chapter 26, verses 36-47.
There was singing and the promise of soup!

The textile tree of life has been completed and backed as a large hanging and was revealed as a surprise! It is magnificent and has been a wonderful collaborative effort.

The activities included woodwork making a wooden cross, with opportunities to chisel, cut and hammer a decoration! Paper lanterns were available with acetate widows to decorate a garden. The cloth labyrinth was laid out to walk upon and assist our praying; with objects along the way to enhance our thinking. What a lovely calm activity.
There were with more activities for painting or colouring words onto felt and these were used to decorate the edge of the labyrinth. Family, hope, blessings, peace, joy, love, glory, majesty were messages for new beginnings at Easter.

The last section of the large Celtic cross was completed by Clive and will be mounted for display. New “Prayerful knitting” has begun as promised last month.

The sharing at the end of the morning was enhanced by poems from the creative writing table. Karen felt that the discussion about faith at her lantern making table had enriched the morning. Our visitors who are thinking about a setting up similar group found making the cross inspiring; they will hang it to remember their morning with us.

At the end of the morning, everyone received a gift from David New – a card with a photo of his glass mosaic and his poem, “The Crown of Thorns”. Thank you to David. You will find a copy of this mosaic and poem in this month’s creative writing.

We meet again on Tuesday May 9th we will be very pleased to see you, come and join us.

For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

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

April 2017 Gallery

Wooden Crosses

Studies in Celtic Knotwork are still in progress.
The Celtic Cross will soon be finished.

Making lanterns to reflect Christ’s journey from the Garden of Gethsemane through the Cross to Resurrection.

Taking a moment from decoupage to talk and reflect.

Creative Writing

Labyrinth

 

April 2017 Writing

Gethsemane

Trinity dancer, You came, Loving Lord
Flow of indwelling Love circling Your veins
Ye eternity in Your breath
Freedom in communion

Came into bustling, tumbling humanity
Crowds touching, following, circling You round.
Needs, noise, every word dissected
Your heart open to all

You often yearned for stillness; space of breath,
Yet never alone. Unless in a crowd.
You stilled our storms, healed our anguish,
Met all our outstretched hands.

But when Your human heart yearned to us
For companion, healing, holding touch…
Where were we then? O Dear Lord, now
We long to dry Your tears.

We walk alone so often, deep in heart
But there You always meet us, stand by us.
You touch, anoint, when we feel left alone.
In solidarity.

Victoria Barlow

The Crown of Thorns

A mosaic and poem by David New

Pilate: I must save
My face, hold on to power.
Christ gave all, saved all.

Christ carries the cross.
He, the willing substitute,
For us, the condemned.

Bearing the burden
Of war, oppression, sickness.
Stumbling but bearing.

Underneath it all.
Deeper than the worst you know.
He is there for us.

He meets his mother,
Not understanding, but there.
Be there and bear it.

Simon takes the cross.
Press-ganged to join the free man.
Disciple for life.

Jesus falls again
How embarrassing, we say,
Jesus understands.

Christ meets the women.
Weep not for yourselves, he said.
But for your children.

Christ, nailed to the cross.
Such unbearable pain, Lord,
How did you forgive?

My God, where are you?
I feel all desolation.
Paradise today!

I am so thirsty.
I crave relief, acquittal,
For my oppressors.

Behold, your mother.
Fellowship in suffering.
Church is born right here.

His body hangs limp
In the setting sun, heaven
Opens doors to earth.

Lifeless in her arms
He lies, all agony gone.
Grief and tears and peace.

They buried Jesus,
Joseph and Nicodemus,
In the rich man’s grave.

What was it, Jesus?
Stirred in them this act of faith?
“Hearts touched by my love.”

Silent Saturday.
Sabbath rest in stone cold tomb.
Peace that saves the world.

Let go and let God.
Prison cell prayer; being still.
Miracles follow!

David New

Gethsemane

People all shapes and sizes
Different thoughts and beliefs
Waving palms with thoughts of a coming King.
How did Jesus see them?
With love and Understanding.

The fearful gathering
Dismayed at foot-washing
Not from the Master!
How did Jesus see them?
His loved ones, His brothers, His children.

The meal set for all,
The sharing of bread and wine,
A foretaste of His body and blood.
What did Jesus hope for?
An echoing continual thanksgiving
Remembering His universal forgiveness and love.

The creeping away, Judas
With thoughts of money and betrayal.
Have we crept quietly away?
How did Jesus see him?
Ever knowing, grieving.

In the garden the absence God created
Deep prayer amongst scents and sounds
Sleeping disciples and a broken heart.
How did Jesus see God?
With slow acceptance and pain.

Upon the cross in anguish
Gasping for breath, skin tearing
Two robbers, family support.
How did Jesus see them?
With Forgiveness, concern and love.

Leaving the tomb, risen in Glory
Accomplished, one with the Father
New life for the mission of God.
How do we see Jesus?
Our Saviour, our Hope and Joy
The path for life into Eternity.

Helen McNicol

March 2017 Writing: Labyrinth

The Labyrinth

When we visit a new city,
we search for its centre.
We are optimistic.
We follow a winding trail that leads us to a grand cathedral,
the spiritual centre.

Here is where the history lies.
Where countless pilgrims have sought comfort, healing, guidance, answers;
Have raised eyes and hands in
awe, despair, sadness, joy, yearning.

As we walk our own personal labyrinth
We try to avoid distractions.

We want to move on,
‘To see Thee more clearly
Love Thee more dearly
Follow Thee more nearly.’

The Labyrinth has no dead ends like a maze.
It encourages us to seek for truth,
To bring our whole being into focus.
We are not led up garden paths leading to nowhere.
We take a continuous course mapping our thoughts and feelings on the way,
Hoping to reach the centre.
Will Jesus be there?
We remember His Healing,
His Teaching His Praying;
His tortuous journey to Jerusalem.
There is no turning back for Him.

We continue on our labyrinth walk
until we reach the centre,
Where Jesus stretches out his arms for us.
We linger with Him awhile.
Encircled by His love, we retrace our steps.
Jesus guides us back
And ‘sends us out into the world
To live and work to His praise and Glory.’

Sue Ashby-Davis Lent 2017

Labyrinth

Tracing a finger round the labyrinth I recall the Mappa Mundi where Jerusalem is the centre of the world.
Is this my labyrinthine pilgrimage? Will my journey towards Christ lead me to my Jerusalem?
Pilgrimage is a lifetime of thinking, a long time to ponder the mysteries of our world, the challenges, lack of purpose, desperation, decisions.
I focus on Jesus and his journey to Jerusalem, his sacrifice for me. I reimagine his tests and trials as he prepared mind and spirit for death, beyond death to resurrection and God.
My God, where will my journey lead me, where is my redemption my Jerusalem?

Barbara Rolison
March 2017

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