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November 2023 Writing

Waste

by
Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy 1883-1929
(Woodbine Willy)

Waste of Muscle, waste of Brain,
Waste of Patience, waste of Pain,
Waste of Manhood, waste of Health,
Waste of Beauty, waste of Wealth,
Waste of Blood, waste of Tears,
Waste of Youth’s most precious years,
Waste of ways the Saints have trod,
Waste of Glory, waste of God,
——War

When we cannot run

Like a room full of smoke
War repels me.
Both suck the oxygen out of the air
And leave me wanting to Run. Make as much
Distance as I can between myself and the offense
Separation is a form of resistance, but it’s not as strong
As a demonstration, engagement in an opposite spirit,
Private Godfrey Buxton (from Royal Medical Corps) once wrote
‘If death was abroad, if wrong was to be resisted a Christian should be right in amongst it.’
Woodbine Willy rigorously demonstrated the same.
So as I wonder how to pray for the current crises, I find my heart with those trapped in situations they cannot escape, but have to choose how to respond to.
“Please meet them Lord God, please send help from your sanctuary, please supply them with what they cannot provide for themselves
Be their light in the darkness.”
Amen

© Chris Graham
Kingdom Arts 14th November 2023

What is peace Lord?

Why do we find it so difficult to live in peace with one another?
You ask us to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ and yet we fail to honour your commandment.

We look at our world today Lord and we still cannot see peace.
Where is the peace, Lord, for the man in the trench waiting to go over the top? Where is the peace, Lord, for the injured soldier waiting for help?
You alone, Lord, protect and comfort us. You alone, Lord, because they are beside us in our conflicts.

Soldiers fight, Lord, because they are ordered to. They protect us from our enemies who want to rule the world. You alone, Lord, send others to help the wounded brave souls who risk life and limb to provide the care they need.

For those who have died, Lord, may they rest in peace. Help us, Lord, to rebuild your world so that all may live in peace and harmony.

We see the battlefield destroyed by bombs and yet, Lord, we see the beauty of the poppy showing us that life will continue. We see your rainbow in the sky, your promise that you will always be with us through the storms of life.

Your love, Lord, is unconditional and we are to love our neighbours unconditionally. Help us, Lord, to speak of your love for others, help them to see that we can live in peace with each other and be the good neighbour you want us to be.

Help us, Lord, to be your beacons of light in our dark world. Help us, Lord, to forgive others and to repent our own selfishness and sins. Help us, Lord, to lead others into the light of your love so that their doubt will turn to faith in you. May your love bring them and us the peace you desire.

May we live in harmony with rejoicing that comes from knowing you. May we all know the same peace you left your disciples. ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’.

Thank you, Lord, that we have the comfort of your word to help us through the darkest times. Help us to be the good neighbour you ask us to be.

You, Lord, give us life. Help us all to live in peace, freedom, love, and faith.

© Pam Butler
Kingdom Arts 14th November 2023

Our Battlefields

Our Battlefields become a funeral pyre
of sacrificial action so dire
Lost forever in mind and mire
Mud and mire.
Body part committed to the ground
Guts, groin and breast and brain
Earth to earth forever reign.
Each man of God united friend afar
In their low burrow
When ashes bought much sorrow

Collect our souls to save…
From this our earthly grave
Dear Lord, dear Lord, who we praise
Amen

© John Butler
Kingdom Arts 14th November 2023

Thoughts from a Soldier

Does one have to be cruel to be kind?
Do we first have to be a captive before we can know what true freedom is?
I close my eyes and smell the distinct, putrid, acid smell that lingers in the air, after the bombs dropped, and exploded.
The craters where once homes stood and lives lived…. And the children’s chatter and laughter now, silenced for ever.
Aware my boots hurt, shoulders ache and fingers locked tight on the trigger!
My senses cry out,
Who is the Ally? Who is the Enemy? Is it within?
This is WAR!
Is it mine? Is it yours? Who fails? Who succeeds?
What is the price and how is it paid?
In lives of those who stayed.
How will despair turn into Hope, terror into Calm?
A screeching whizzed past me, shattering my thoughts.
Death and life, are not mine to take.
I am but an instrument in someone’s hands, missiles, bombs explode.
Breathing out, I fall to my knees:
“Forgive my trespasses and I forgive those who trespass against me and my country.
When I am weak be my strength.”
I am not a brave soldier.
The lights went out!

© Shefali Hollis

Kingdom Arts
14th November 2023

 

November 2023 Gathering

November 14th

Woodbine Willy

A trip down distant memory lane this month as we recalled the work of Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy who lived and worked in Worcester and some of his 1st World War poetry.

The central aisle had a display of books and pictures with remembrance poppies.

Alex welcomed everyone to the gathering including more new faces, we commenced by singing “Great is the darkness that covers the earth” and a version of “the Lord is my Shepherd” – both songs of hope in times of trouble – which were followed by prayers.

Barbara gave a talk about Studdert Kennedy born in Leeds in 1883, a former Vicar of St Paul’s church Worcester, who became famous during the 1st World War, when he ministered to the soldiers and gave them copies of the New Testament along with cigarettes. He was forever after known as “Woodbine Willie”.

He was a prolific writer who wrote articles as well as many poems. One is called “Waste”, which you will find on the November Creative Writing page.

He was a much-loved preacher and worked tirelessly to help the poor and disadvantaged. He died in 1929 and is buried in St. John’s churchyard and commemorated with a statue in Cornmarket.

This morning’s activities:-

The ongoing project continued to make a large, cross shaped hanging, devised of individually designed and sewn hessian squares.

Each square is proving to be be uniquely beautiful and there are many techniques being employed. Splendid fabric, stitching and applique.

There were some canvas backgrounds to be painted ready to mount these on.

The writing focus was to take some of the long list of words and their opposites; for example, war and peace, hatred and love to weave a piece of writing or a poem. Some very moving pieces were written.

Alison brought air drying modelling clay, so that doves could be created and at least partially dried.

There was a table of “junk” materials for constructions to be created without glue, Sellotape or pins. This was quite challenging and leant itself to abstract as well as an interpretation of a dove.

There were also the usual opportunities for quiet, contemplative, prayerful knitting.

The conversations abounded around the tables and we were kept refreshed by Carolyn with coffee, tea and biscuits.

Today we said, “Farewell” to Comfort, as she returns home to Nigeria after 3 months in England with her family. She sang us a beautiful Blessing and we look forward to her next visit sometime in 2024.

Soup will most definitely be on the menu again next month and of course mince pies will make a brief appearance on December 12th!
Please remember the new start time – Coffee from 10.00, followed by worship and activities, with lunch around 12.40. We hope to welcome you all there.

Barbara Rolison

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October 2023 Writing

Jesus let your divine Spirit breathe on me

The writing focus was to take some of the words from “Love Divine” and arrange them so as to inspire creative verse or writing. The results were often very moving. Please do take time to read them.

Words selected from the hymn ‘Love Divine’

Jesus Divine

Jesus
Divine
Alpha   Pure   Omega
Love
Joy
Grace
Liberty
Compassion

© Alison Moore Kingdom Arts October 2023

Love Divine

Love Divine: You have always been there for me. You were there at the beginning and I knew of you but didn’t know you.

Love Divine: Your patience is never ending, you wait and nudge with pure unbounded love waiting to enter my trembling heart.

Love Divine: Christmas and Easter have always been special for me even as a child, but it would be years before I would receive and accept your grace.

Love Divine: I heard about you at Sunday school and in school assemblies but I never felt the need to ask you into my life. I only attended church services on special occasions – moved by the hymns but not enough to want to follow you.

Love Divine: I stood before you exchanging vows at our wedding, I stood before you making promises to you at our children’s baptism, once again the words resonated but did not enter my heart.

Love Divine: I finally realised that I had stood before you and made promises that I wasn’t keeping and so I took the children to church to help us all to learn more about your pure unbounded love.

Love Divine: You came into my trembling heart when my mom suffered a massive stroke and would not survive. I received your grace when you answered my prayer to take her home to be with you.

Love Divine: You have helped me grow in love and faith and I can only praise you because of your perfect love.

Love Divine: ‘My chains flew off’ because I have been received into your family, you have restored me and I will forever be lost in wonder, love and praise.

© Pam Butler Kingdom Arts October 2023

Jesus

I listen to your words of song and begin to move, as the notes of music jump off the page and bring Liberty.

And as they flow over and through me,
Experiencing, I am sitting in the presence of the legacy of a Servant of God.

My spirit responds:
Let your love divine breathes into my heart.
What you have promised; heaven breaks in to deliver.
Joy of heaven and earth come down.

You broke into my world with all its mess. All my lostness???
I pull my scarf over my head and wonder if others will know I have a meeting with you in prayer.

Our time and space.
A message to the masters: –
Alpha and Omega the beginning and the finish

© Shefali Kingdom Arts October 2023

Praise His Name

Praise to the Lord of all creation!
Maker of the heavens and the earth!
The Alpha and Omega!
Praise his name!
From the beginning of time
He was, and is, and is to come.
Perfect in every way,
Lord of all and son of the living God.
Praise his name!

Jesus came to bring us healing,
Forgiveness and restoration.
He said: Do not let your hearts be troubled”
We choose to trust you, Lord.
We praise his name!

He humbled himself, our servant King,
To pay the price for us.
He suffered horrendous, undeserved death
That we might live.
Praise his name!

He said he’ll never leave us and forsake us
And he’s kept his word
He’s left us the wonderful Holy Spirit
To dwell with us, our comforter and
Guide in every moment of our lives.
We praise his name!

You’re everything to us Lord,
We bow before you in thanks and adoration.
We praise his Holy Name!

© Alison Moore Kingdom Arts October 2023

Love Divine, final verse.

Every time I sing the last verse of ‘Love Divine’, I think of my Friend Penny and her daughter (Rachel) born with cystic fibrosis. Penny was a physiotherapist and she had to help clear her own daughter’s chest using her skill from training.

We had shared a house together before she was married, and she knew that I was full of [compassion] for her and her daughter’s condition. She asked me to pray. As I settled quietly into a place of listening for what I could possibly pray, the words of the last verse came to me.
Finish then thy new [creation]
[Pure] and [spotless] let us be … Just that.

I didn’t know what possible help that would be, but I told her anyway and reassured her that I would continue, long term, to persist with the need for answers. At this point her eyes opened wide and she explained how the spotty welts on skin were a big thing in Rachel’s condition.

My [wonder] enlarged and I asked God the question ‘Could this be Your promise that one day we would have an answer to our long-term prayers?

[Joy] came, years later when the cure for cystic fibrosis was found. Penny’s happiness over flowed as she explained to me that hospital visits had decreased dramatically and Rachel’s skin had completely [changed] !
It was [perfectly] [restored].

She still has to be careful, but her life was radically different and her chances to play her favourite instrument was increased dramatically.

Our God had [delivered] what he had [promised].

©Chris Graham Kingdom Arts October 2023

 

October 2023 Gathering

October 10th

We continued our theme exploring “Songs of Faith”.
Today it was Charles Wesley 1701-1788 and the hymn –

Love Divine

 

First of all, following coffee and catching up time, Alex welcomed everyone to the gathering including more new faces, we commenced by singing two songs, followed by prayers.
Then, Jan B gave a most informative talk about Charley Wesley. He was an English leader of the Methodist movement. Wesley was a prolific hymnwriter who wrote over 6,500 hymns during his lifetime. His works include “And Can It Be”, “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”, “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” and the carol “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”.
He led an interesting life and was obviously much influenced by his mother. We were intrigued by her practice of putting her cap over her face to show that she was taking time to pray in her busy life. We focused on what is, perhaps, his most famous hymn. After listening to Jan B’s entertaining words, we all sang ‘Love Divine’.

Sue described the activities for the morning. The writing focus was to take some of the words from “Love Divine” and arrange them so as to inspire creative verse or writing. The results were often very moving. Please do take time to read them.

The ongoing project is to make a large, cross shaped hanging, devised of individually designed and sewn hessian squares.

Each square is proving to be be uniquely beautiful and there are many techniques being employed. Splendid fabric, stitching and applique.

Alison brought back the gold wire and new models were made, some of which were stitched into the hessian squares.

Alison also introduced card making using “Brusho” an interesting opaque powder which when wet shows its colour, alongside watercolours.
The cards were mounted in a frame and looked stunning, a lovely keepsake or gift!

There were also the usual opportunities for quiet, contemplative, prayerful knitting.

Charcoal and large sheets of paper were also available, with a still life composed of models of hands to sketch. This challenged some of our artists.

The conversations abounded around the tables and we were kept refreshed with coffee, tea and biscuits. A ploughman’s lunchtime buffet was laid out in the Magdalene room and much enjoyed. Soup will most definitely make a return next month on November 14th!

We hope to see you again on Tuesday October 10th.
Please note the new start time.
From November on, we will be gathering from 10:00am for tea, coffee, and chat, with the morning’s programme beginning at 10.20am.

A warm Kingdom Arts welcome awaits all.

Barbara Rolison

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September 2023 Writing

It is well with my soul

Standing in the midst of a shaking Earth.
Gazing at news of multitudes of happenings.
Feeling that only you, in my smallness
in your greatness, can offer an anchor
for the troubled soul.
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul

To call you, the compassion and kindness of God, to reach out,
Rescue the bewildered, lost, and broken
to know the all-encompassing love
that takes us through to eternity.
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul

To play my part to join with his new mission,
to touch and bring hope
of eternal hold, of creation re-ordered
of sins, rebellion discarded around righteous ways.
To encumber the Glory that was lost, but will be found like glimmering Zion.
The mountain of the Lord

© Paul Graham

 

September 2023 Gathering

September 12th

Well, a New Kingdom Arts Year began this week with a new theme looking at traditional Hymns, their authors and the stories behind the songs.

TODAY’S THEME
The story behind the hymn

It is well with my soul

Alex welcomed everyone to the gathering including some new faces; and, having had coffee and catching up time, we commenced with a short time of worship singing “Ten thousand Reasons”, followed by prayer and “O Faithful One”.
Jan K then told us the story of the American evangelist Horatio Spafford and his wife Anna and the enormous tragedies in their life. They lost one son to illness; and then, while Anna and their four daughters were travelling to England, the ship sank and their four daughters drowned with only Anna surviving.
Horation travelled to England to be with Anna and, as he passed near the spot where his daughters were lost, he wrote his poem, “It is well with my soul”, later set to music by Philip Paul Bliss. Horatio and Anna went on to have three more children. Unfortunately another son also died young. With their faith still strong, the Spaffords were able to continue in their ministry.

And, of course, we sang ‘It is well with my soul’.

Sue then introduced the morning’s activities:-

A new, ongoing project is to make a large, cross shaped hanging, devised of individually designed and sewn hessian squares. Each square will be unique and there are many techniques which can be employed. Fabric, beads, stitching and applique.

Activities inspired by Horatio’s words:

Alison brought wire and large templates to make model anchors! There were many amazing interpretations and it proved very popular.

CD covers were created using the words of the hymn.

Inspired by thoughts of peril on water, a Lego table produced a model lighthouse and a depiction of Jesus calming the waters and Peter’s attempt to walk on the water.

There were also the usual opportunities for prayerful knitting, a writing table to capture people’s thoughts inspired by the talk.

The coffee and cake through the morning kept everyone alert and the conversations abounded.

Also, today at Kingdom Arts we said farewell to our Vicar Jo, who retires next week. A handmade book, containing special items created for her from the Kingdom Arts Team was presented. She was thanked for encouraging and supporting the work of Kingdom Arts acknowledging it would not have started without her blessing and constant support. We will miss you, Jo!

As the kitchen was closed because of necessary building work, we were unable to have our usual cheese, bread, and hot soup lunch. Instead, the meal was arranged in the church with a table of delicious cold foodstuffs, plenty of fruit and cheeses to help ourselves and it was most enjoyable. Soup will make a return next month!

We hope to see you again on Tuesday October 10th starting at 10.00am with coffee from 9.30.

A warm Kingdom Arts welcome awaits all.

Barbara Rolison

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June writing 2023

Nature is God’s Mirror

Nature is God’s Mirror,
In the surrounding forest, the birdsong is God’s chorus,
Squeak, chirrup, crawk, tweet and whistle merge and clash.

Jackdaws swoop on the bird feeders, kicking the seed to the ground like angry teenagers and pecking it below, still squabbling.
Beneath blue tits hang on the peanuts, then swoop out, and in again, perching high to clean their beaks.
On the ground where more seed spilled a blackbird and a bullfinch hop and peck choosing their favourite, while a pigeon gobbles greedily in great haste to collect all the seeds.

At the margins of the loch, the ground granite crystals of sand sparkle in a shaft of sunlight.
The clear shallow water slurps at the edge in rhythmic sounds, while a wagtail strolls along just avoiding the wavelets.
Nature is God’s mirror.

© Barbara Rolison