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February 2018 Gathering

13th February 2018

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”
John 14:1-7

An astounding wooden signpost greeted us on arrival at Kingdom Arts. All was later revealed!

We were delighted to greet some new members to the group before we commenced with two joyful songs [music for the first composed by our very own Sue]. Next came the bible reading “I am the way the Truth and the Light” followed by prayers.

The significance of the signpost became clear; it was showing us the way past some of life’s challenges to join Jesus in heaven, and had been cleverly constructed by Trevor by recycling our wooden Christmas tree from the Cathedral exhibition.

This month’s further challenge designed by David New was to create a paper construction of a stairway to heaven, which some embellished with symbols.

A lifeline of twisted material hung with handmade pom-poms began to emerge across the church signifying points in life.

At the writing table some original postcards to Heaven were creatively written.

Work continued on additional ornamentation of the Tree of Life hanging, by making and stitching apples from fabric and threads.

Several wonderful and varied pastel drawings with thoughtful explanations of how they were inspired were shared with us at the end of the session.

The soups, both watercress and broccoli, and potato and leek were much enjoyed and may very well inspire a second soup book! The social lunch is a most enjoyable end to each session and we would love to see you there.

Our next meeting is on March 13th

For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

 

January 2018 Writing

Good Shepherd Prayers

In the closing session of the morning, this prayer was accompanied by a Tongue Drum.

Good Shepherd,
help me to be like a good sounding tongue drum.
May the sound I make in my life
enable others to hear your voice.
When I feel tired
let the sound continue on and on,
giving me strength for the journey ahead.
Give me courage to take these sounds into the world
to help others hear you speaking through the noises of the world
that clamour for our attention.
May the sound I make be beautiful to others
and to you.
Amen

Alex New

Sheep

So often dismissed to the lower rungs of the animal world.
But they float through our Christmas cards.
Feed and sustain many nations. Clothe and warm chilled limbs.
Our wise ones know their wealth and their need for a loving shepherd.
With homes and food just right. A lifelong caring.
Psalm 23 echoes down through the ages.
Pictures with Christ in their midst calling out from the flock.
I am their shepherd and YOURS! Follow me.
Stray not from the path I love the weak and the strong. The marginalised the forgotten.
I will bind broken limbs, rescue you from briars or pits, and feed you richly in pastures old and new.
And raise you all up, upon my shoulder into life eternal.

Helen McNichol

Shepherds

In those days long ago shepherds were lowly, isolated poor and not regarded much, tending others precious flocks in scrubby pastures. They travelled on foot in search of grazing, slept on the ground, and guarded the sheep from wolves, lions, eagles and thieves. They lit fires for safety and a little warmth.
Astonished when the brightest most radiant light disturbed them so, voices sang praises to God on high. They heard the message, trusted in the Angel and left everything to see the new born Son of God.

Back on the quad bike with helmet, padded jacket and mobile the shepherd and her sheepdogs ascend the hillside to feed the flock. They are well nourished with bales of hay kept under cover, a bin of pellets and clean water. She checks the ewes for lameness, any sign of illness or harm, for they are almost ready to lamb.
Whistling to the dogs they gather the sheep and slowly bring them down to the shed. There they are nurtured and protected awaiting their time.
But what if God, just now, sent his Angel messenger? How would she receive the message hear the voice?

For Jesus is our shepherd, gathering, nourishing, nurturing and protecting us.
Slowly guiding us to his presence.

Barbara Rolison

 

January 2018 Gallery

Paper Sculpture

Music

Watercolour

Collage

Mandala
The word mandala is a Sanskrit term that means “circle” or “discoid object”. You can find more information by searching for ‘mandala’ on the internet.

Writing

January 2018 Gathering

9th January 2018

“I am the Good Shepherd”

This text from John 10:11-18 inspired our morning.

New Year greetings were exchanged and we began our worship with singing, the reading from John 10 and prayers.

The Arts activities, which were focussed around shepherding and sheep, included a paper sculptured shepherd described as “David’s Challenge”. It needed plenty of concentration and agile fingers.

There was a music and contemplation session using a new instrument known as a “tongue drum”, played by Sue. It was later described as wonderful, great and calming.

At the watercolour activity there was some experimentation which turned into a sheep with stars in its eyes. There were drawings and paintings of hands “the protective hands of the shepherd round his flock”. Some amazing and colourful collage emerged of Jesus the shepherd.

There was also mindful colouring of mandala patterns and creative writing.
[Follow the links for examples and photographs.]

At our gathering after the prayer and before the delicious soup, a new member described his painting of hands “Behind my hand is the hand of God. He is behind everyone’s hand”. That was the perfect summing up for the morning.

Our next meeting is on February 13th. We hope you will come and join in the fun, engaging with others in a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere.

PS A few soup recipe books are still available, beautifully illustrated and a very reasonable £4 each.

For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

For this month’s written word, see Creative Writing

To see and hear the music and contemplation session,
click here:- Percussion workshop

Kingdom Arts Christmas Tree

The 2017 Christmas Tree Festival
Worcester Cathedral

The festival is now closed.

It’s there in the Cathedral cloisters for all to see!

Everyone worked really hard at Kingdom Arts creating angels, origami stars and words from scripture in fabric telling the story of Jesus’ birth. We had to assemble it in situ last Friday (8th Dec) before the official opening. It took us nearly 2½ hours to do but we were very pleased with the result:-

Several members of the Team gathered with the Mayor for the switching on of the tree lights of over 80 trees as the choir sang carols and we drank mulled wine. What a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of Jesus in our midst this Christmas time.

There were, of course, other trees! DO GO AND SEE THEM. (Too late!)

Here are some photographs, but they are no substitute for the experience of walking round the cloisters and viewing the real thing.

A selection of the other trees:-

As the light fades, the scene changes, reminding us how important Light is in the darkness:-

 

December Gathering

12th December 2017

“I am the light of the world”

There were 27 intrepid enthusiasts who braved the wintry conditions to be part of our December celebration, our final session of the year.

We began with worship, reading John 8:12, singing hymns that reflected on light and learning a new hymn sung in parts, which was a most joyful sound followed by a time of thoughtful prayer.

There was thrilling news that our first Kingdom Arts Christmas tree, decorated by many handicrafts, was safely installed in the cloisters of Worcester Cathedral and can be visited until January 4th. (See the separate news report for more information and some pictures).

This month’s activities were designed around the theme of light.

A splendid collage was created, based on the famous 1854 William Holman Hunt painting “The Light of the World”. It is an original and beautiful interpretation.

There were stars created in cross stitch and highly technical 3D lanterns and more glorious bright gold or silver winged angels were crafted. The writing was based on the theme of light and emerged on blank jigsaw puzzles.

The morning ended with soup, spiced cauliflower or a new version of purple soup with cranberries for a taste of Christmas.

From all at Kingdom Arts we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year hoping to see you on Tuesday January 9th 2018
May God’s blessing be with you all.

See this month’s wonderful range of arts and crafts in the Gallery

December Gallery

It was a cold day.
Our booklet of soup recipes has already sold over 200 copies. If you would like a copy, you need to act quickly before they all sell out!

Collage

Stitching

Lanterns
A small flickering electronic nightlight placed inside the finished lanterns gave a very realistic effect – without the risk of fire!

Jigsaws

November 2017 Writing

Vines

Spring is here
The rows are straight
The vines are pruned
All looks bare and lost
As we sometimes feel
But it is God’s given rest
His enriching soil surrounds us
Ready for that blessed new growth
We must twist and turn upward
Letting our leaves absorb His word
His love, His everlasting support
To grow His spiritual fruit
To share with friends, the world
May we ever grow
And quench our burning thirst

Helen

A prayer written after contemplation on the vine.

Father, may we glorify You through our obedience and trust in you.
Help us to follow your son wholeheartedly, abiding in His teachings and example.
Help us to cling onto your Word.
Direct our growth in the direction you choose
And remove everything that impedes our closeness to You.

Les