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December 13th

 

The wonderful display of many different Nativity scenes from across the world greeted all who came: sets from Peru, Germany, African countries and Bethlehem were laid out.

Alex offered a warm welcome to those who were making their first visit and we began with some joyful seasonal singing and then followed a “Drama” about the Incarnation, to start everyone thinking.

All of the creative activities centred around the Christmas theme.

There was plenty to make: tiny matchbox cribs, made by decorating a matchbox and a small pebble.

The hanging decorations of folded paper angels, were described as “easy” by Alison who was fortunately on hand to assist the group.

Lego sets were available to encourage creative building of the Nativity with added scenic extras and an Angel on horseback!

Beautiful pastel pictures of mother and child were drawn [please do look at the pictures]

The prayerful knitting was available as well as a colouring activity, both of which are very calming and meditative.

Coffee and mince pies were plentiful and certainly helped to keep us warm, thank you Pam and Carolyn.

For those who wished to express themselves in writing, there was the creative writing table, others became more divergent! and an oral discussion exploring the meaning of “Fear Not “ensued, which added something different to the shared session.

At the end of the morning there was the opportunity to exhibit and share our art work, talk about how the activities made us feel and celebrate together by lighting candles and singing.

The home-made soup offered a choice of either purple soup, or parsnip with walnuts and maple syrup if it took your fancy. The latter was unusual and delicious!

The festive selection of cake to follow was also much enjoyed, thanks to Jane.

Our first meeting next year is on Tuesday January 10th starting from 10.00am with coffee from 9.30, the ever-popular soup lunch and a warm Kingdom Arts welcome to all.

We hope you had a Merry Christmas and you have a Happy New Year.

Our first meeting next year is on Tuesday January 10th starting at 10.00am with coffee from 9.30, followed by the ever-popular soup lunch. A warm Kingdom Arts welcome awaits you all. We look forward to seeing you then.

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November 8th

This month we had a solemn beginning to our session, as we remembered and paid tribute to Vikki Moore RIP who had died so unexpectedly two weeks earlier, after a short illness.

Led by Alex, we prayed for David and family members and also her friends at Kingdom Arts who were saddened and shocked by her death. We had a few minutes of contemplative silence.

Alison Moore had volunteered to play for us, as we sang hymns including “Hosanna”.

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Then we continued our series looking at the lives of influential Christians or “Heroes of Faith” by learning about

Archbishop Oscar Romero
from El Salvador.

The short talk from Barbara R helped us to explore the life and mission of Oscar Romero, who passionately and bravely fought for the rights of the poor and voiceless people of San Salvador and died a martyr.
This led us naturally into the exploration of the art and craft of South America, and there was plenty to choose from;

First of all were wonderful wooden crosses to be decorated with acrylic paint, so gloriously colourful.

Next was an outline of a Condor; a design to be filled with mosaic pieces, which were both intricate and delicate.

Alison Griffin taught us how to make woven plaited bracelets, using embroidery thread, a lovely activity to free our thoughts and help us to talk and work together.

For those who wished to express themselves in writing, there was the creative writing table, where there was much discussion and expressing of thoughts as ideas flowed.

The prayerful knitting was available as well as a colouring activity, both of which are very calming and meditative.

Coffee and biscuits essential to keep us going, were plentiful thank you Pam and Carolyn.

At the end of the morning there was the opportunity to share our art work, creative writing and feelings.

The home-made soup offered a choice of either, carrot and coriander, or tomato apple and celery both of which were hugely enjoyed and delicious! The cake to follow was also much enjoyed.

Our meeting next month is on December 13th starting at 10.00am with coffee from 9.30, followed by the ever-popular soup and there was a mention of mince pies!
We look forward to seeing you then.

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June 14th

It was the last meeting of the summer and we were in the mood for a celebratory picnic!
The singing of the chorus “You’re the Author of creation” was joyous as was the rendering of one of my favourites “Be still for the presence of the Lord”

A marvellous display of miniature figures reflected in a mirror, formed the backdrop to a display representing the feeding of the 5000.

Alex introduced the retelling of the story, in a small group roleplay.
Prayers and reflection followed and Alex introduced the activities.

Lyn explained about the fish collage, Vicky the cross-stitch key rings, and Alison the modelling activity of loaves and fish to add to the models. Other activities were charcoal drawing of a still life picnic scene, prayerful knitting and creative writing.

The cross-stitch activity was delicate and beautifully completed by several of our group. It looked simple, but nimble fingers and good eyesight were essential, as well as concentration.

There was lively chatter from the collage group, who knitted or stuck fish onto a collage background of water. Tissue paper, fabrics buttons and wool were on hand. One quote from the morning was “What I enjoy is conversations and all the chat as we do the craft”

The modelling group were a little quieter but had intense discussions – including the size of fish in lake Galilee! – as they concentrated on miniature baskets, bread and fish.

The still life scene was beautifully capture by ladies who refused to be called artists.

As always, we also had the creative writing corner. You can read some of their work on the Creative Writing pages.

We gathered at the end of the morning to share our experiences; both the joys and the difficulties, and we were delighted to be joined at that point by David New.

We learned a new version of a song about 5000 hungry folk; requiring fast finger actions! Such fun. The sung blessing was shared.

Then we adjourned to the quiet garden for sandwiches, fruit, cakes and scones and cream.

We were all well fed and so said farewell until September.

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The next meeting is on Tuesday September 14th with coffee from 9.30.

Please come and join us, but do check this site or our Facebook page before your journey to make sure the session is not cancelled!