First Ever Christmas Trivia Contest!

The Holy Family, Giorgione, probably 1500, National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.

This past Sunday I ushered in Advent by worshiping at a church that is not my home church. I was there to hear a candidacy sermon and observe the congregation calling a new associate pastor. It was joy filled and if you have time to pause and listen to the 11/30 sermon you may do so here.

Digesting the sermon prompted the topic of Carrot Top Studio's first ever trivia contest. Comment on the trivia question on this blog post and you will be entered to win a 50% off coupon for any stole on our website excluding the Haiti stole series (because we don't want to take away from the profits that go to this mission). The coupon may be used anytime in the next six month. If you don't need a stole and you win the 50% off coupon you may let us know that you are gifting the certificate to someone that might enjoy it. If you're not a "blogger" emails us at jenny.gallo@CarrotTopStudio.com and we'll make the entry for you.

What's the trivia question? .... Why do we celebrate Christmas in December?

All commenters will be entered to win and one name will be drawn to be the winner.Contest closes at midnight, December 7, EST. Winner will be notified on 12/8/08.

We're Reading...

Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas compliled by Plough Publishing House. It contains a meditation for each day of the Advent season and is easy to pick up and put down as time allows. The complided authors include Bonhoeffer, Eliot, Lewis, and Yancey among many other wise sages.

Senses of the Soul: Art and the Visual in Christian Worship, by William Dyrness is really making me think. It combines historical fact with contemporary research adn observations. It seems like it will be a great springboard for discussion in churches seeking to begin, expand, be more sensitive to including the visual in Christian worship.

Happy Thanksgiving

Perfect for today, The Doxology... as we celebrate the American holiday Thanksgiving...

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise him, all creatures here below;

Praise him above, ye heavenly host:

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Christ the King Sunday

Tomorrow is the last Sunday of Ordinary Time and we will celebrate Christ the King. It is a day to celebrate and remember Christ's kingship over all creation, as well as a time to remind us that all mankind should follow Christ. What did it mean for him to be a king? Jesus led with acts of kindness, peacefulness, and service--to all. He was a great listener. He did not hold up cultural standards to judge others. May we try with earnest to follow by his lead.

Count Down to Advent

I look forward to times of preparation. I've never been one that was able to rush into something so making a list for a large family meal like Thanksgiving, the nine months of pregnancy or the seasons of Advent and Lent are times that I look forward to and cherish. During Advent and Lent I usually chose a book to work my way through. These are typically very busy times in my professional cycle at Carrot Top Studio so having a book seems to ground me into a routine of quiet thoughtfulness and focus. God With Us edited by Greg Pennoyer and Gregory Wolfe has been sitting on my desk for a month. I've read the intro pages and can hardly keep from peeking ahead. It focuses on "Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas" through daily meditations, scripture, historical references, and fine art from many different ages. If this lovely text sounds just right for you and you can't get your hands on it you can subscribe to receive the daily meditations at the rediscovering website hosted hosted by the editors.

The Circle

For many years I've heard about an exciting ministry in my hometown that uses a dynamic blend of music and drama in their worship services. It was joyful to finally have the opportunity to worship with the Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community in Pittsburgh, PA last Sunday. They desire to be a bridge to Jesus Christ by participating in communion, welcoming all into community, listening and having compassion, growing in faith and sharing Christ’s story with the community in this area of Pittsburgh, the surrounding neighborhoods, and the world. The worship ended with Communion served as we exited to go to an outside patio. All worshipers exited, received the elements and then stood in a huge circle to pray and receive a benediction. How fitting it was to stand in a circle for this sacrament. I love the symbolism of a circle: unity, God's neverending love, the Church universal, completeness. Additionally we chose to place this ancient symbol in our new mini-banner that focuses on the story of the hemorrhaging woman as recorded in Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, and Luke 8: 43-47. The circle is this artwork is to remind us of the committment of our whole selves to God. I'm thankful for the spiritual nourishment of present day experiences like taking Communion but also remain thankful for being able to learn from stories from the past like the couragous women of the gospels.

The Church Door

I appreciate great craftsmanship and making a house of worship special....God certainly deserves special in my mind! I'm intrigued by church doors as symbols of hospitality and a signal to those that enter of what lies ahead as they enter a worship space. For example, I'm intrigued by color, so I often find myself smiling as I drive past a row of churches in my community that all have red doors. Red can be warm and inviting, calling out to welcome a stranger or new comer. To a Christian these red doors also remind us of the Holy Spirit, alive within us and the church community within the doors. Last weekend I had an opportunity to visit the Duke University and my first stop was to see the Chapel--a grand, gothic building I have heard so much about and a faith community that I occassionaly enjoy listening to their worship services recorded online. This is one of the doors that leads to the Duke Chapel. The iron work is so unique and special I felt like the door was crying out "come in and discover what dwells within." Is your church door welcoming, intriguing, and full of Spirit? Beyond this I wonder today how we can be like a church door. Do people see us and our actions and wonder what it is that is special? Are we paving the way with welcome and hospitality for those that have not entered into a relationship with Christ to find out more? Today I set out to be a door. May God use me.

All Saints Day

Halloween and trick-or-treating provide for a very "sweet" holiday but this Sunday many churches will celebrate the even sweeter All Saints Day. Here is artist Wassily Kandinsky's (1886 – 1944), the father of abstract art, interprutation of "All Saints Day"--

Some historians believe this special day has been in existence since the year 270. This is an opportunity to honor all saints of the church even those not yet named and many include this to also celebrate unity within the entire church. We recall men and women of the Bible like Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Deborah, Ruth, David, Elijah, Peter, and Paul (among others), and thank God for their examples. Many congregations also memorialize those parishioners who were called to be with the Lord in recent years, particularly in the last year. Finally and most importantly, on this day we glorify God not just for the faithfulness of the saints, but for His faithfulness to the saints. Celebrate by gathering with friends and family at a special meal and discuss atttributes of saints you strive for, light candles in cemetaries, toll bells in your church buildings and celebrate in prayer in worship.

Let There Be Light!

My hometown of Pittsburgh, PA is celebrating it's 250th birthday this year. Throughout the year we are getting to celebrate in many different ways. Currently we are celebrating the transformational quaility of light as a reminder that Pittsburgh has also been transformational throughout history. Under the direction of Lucette de Rugy of Artlumiere, international designers have transformed building facades into stunning works of art. Pictured here is the Cathedral of Learning of the campus of the University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, numerous Houses of Worship are lighted in subtle ways, under the direction of Adam Koe Leong, to showcase architectural detail and stained glass best seen at night. Pittsburgh recognizes the importance that faith and worship has played in its history.

Last night I had the opportunity to witness several of these buildings. They were absolutely stunning! As my daughter reacted dramatically to the effect it led me to think of times in worship that the experience had been enhanced with unique lighting. I remember an Easter sunrise service, an Advent Taize service lit by candelight, and a Lenten Tenebrae service. We try to remember the senses outside of auditory when planning worship...such as the visual which typically means stoles, paraments and banners, or the sense of smell with incense or a fresh baked loaf of bread for Communion. How does the use of light come into play when we plan a worship service? Bright light, no light, directed light, diffused light, lights that change, natural light, colored light....so many options...thanks be to God for light!

Harvest Thanksgivings

I must confess I love fall! Among other things it's the colors, the smell of the air, and the sight of the leaves swirling down from the tree branches. This change of seasons is very energizing to my creative soul. For example, since May I have been trying to support our local economy and eat healthier by buying all of my family's produce at the farmer's market. We've discovered that artichokes can be grown in Pennsylvania if it rains at the right time, that brussel sprouts grow on a stalk, and we're currently eating varieties of apples that we'd never even heard of before. This has been a fun endeavor that has expanded my cooking reportorie, opened up our palates to new tastes, and has made me very thankful for those that dig the earth, plant the seed, and lovingly nurture the produce that ends up on our tables. I've supported this experience by slurging on a new cookbook, In Season, by Sarah Raven. It's of course not about liturgical seasons, but celebrates the seasons of the earth.....so, for example, if you stumble upon something like a quince and have no idea what to do with it you can use this book as a reference and it will give you several practical recipes that use quinces.

It's rare that I can separate my personal life from my life in the studio because my studio life is very much a part of who I am. All the wonderful fall produce at the farmers market and the upcoming American time of Thanksgiving found us creating a new harvest stole design. It's a bargain on ebay this week and in the future you can find it here on our website.

I'm signing off to go celebrate the harvest and this God's great creation by making cauliflower soup from the largest, most magnificent looking head of cauliflower I've ever seen before.

Art for Lectionary Text

One of the lectionary text's this week is Matthew 22:15-22...the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

What an interesting text given the economic state of the United States and the upcoming presidential election here. I look forward to hearing messages from the pulpit this coming Sunday.

Contemporary Texas artist, James B. Janknegt has a uniquely refreshing style of retelling Biblical stories in his art. I particularly enjoy how he intertwines contemporary issues and instances to emphasize how the Bible never stops applying to our lives. The work featured here is titled Rich Fool. The artist's explanation is offered here. I suggest you also look at the work and think about:

• what do you see?
• what title would you give this work?
• what might be the purpose of this art?
• do you recognize any images?
• what kind of movement does the art suggest (speed, frenzy, rhythm, stillness, etc.)?
• what does the color remind you of, or what feeling does it give?

It's always exciting to discover contemporary Christian artists and I encourage you to take a break from your daily routine and explore this artist's website.

Ordinary Time

Ordinary Time is a lengthy celebration in the Church Year calendar. Don't let it become...well, too ordinary! This is the time when we study and grow based upon what the Bible teaches. This should be an extraordinary time! What are some ways you can celebrate life and hope?

• ...families can be encouraged to use this relaxed time of year to learn the ritual of keeping the Sabbath. As we enter the often hectic Advent and Christmas seasons this day of rest will bring all the more rejuvination and focus.

...encourage an attitude of gratitude. Find specific ways to show God's love. For example, in our neck of the woods the leaves are dropping from the trees and it's easy to find people that need extra helping hands with yard clean up.

...think of ways to be peace makers...with your congregation, your small group Bible study, or a family could make a banner of peace that expresses your ideas and will be a visual reminder of working towards fulfilling them.

...go green....green is the liturgical color for Ordinary Time to help us focus on this time of growth. Ministry leaders wear green during this season but, we can also celebrate the green of creation by learning to take care of our world in better ways. Recycling our office paper and unused worship bulletins, using earth friendly products like paper instead of styrafoam coffee cups, and cleaning supplies without chemicals are easy things that many of us do at home that can easily translate to our church facilities.

Confirmation Stole Kits

Confirmation Stole Curriculum Kits now avaialable!

Soooo....you're preparing for confirmation but wishing you had something unique to add to the experience. Another funny skit, a mud wrestling competition, or a sing along with banjos are just not what you had in mind. What you need is a hands on actitivty that would be personal to each student and allow you to incorporate it into worship so the entire church congregation can help celebrate and embrace the committment the students are making. Our kit leads you step by step through a detailed project that can take 1-3 hours depending upon which actitivities you chose for your group. For example, you will be guided in what supplies to gather to incorporating spiritual gifts inventories, to why leadership wears a stole in worship, and the actual creation of each youth's stole. Read more about it and learn how to order here!

New Resurrection Stole Design

We love it when clients share ideas for new products with us! Recently a client shared his personal story of why the Resurrection bird (the hummingbird) had a special meaning to him due to his unique relationship with the foster care of several special children born HIV positive. The pictured Resurrection stole is the result of his story. It is full of symbolism that would apply to many in ministry. It is white to represent the purity of Christ. The spring flowers remind us of rebirth and the lilies for purity and the Resurrection (because of it's rebirth from a seemingly lifeless bulb). Hummingbirds are the crowning glory as a reference to their legend as resurrection birds: they seem to die and be reborn on another day. You can read a New York Times article regarding the hummingbird here.

Ministry leaders know best what they can't find in the commercial market. We love to be able to fill the gap with our handcrafted stoles. We welcome you to share your ideas with us at jenny.gallo@CarrotTopStudio.com.

Praying in Color

I saw the book title Praying in Color and quickly suspected it would be something I would enjoy. I've been doodling and finding respite in simple line drawings since I was a child (that was many moons ago!) Author Sybil MacBeth is not an artist but she has realized the power of the doodle drawing during prayer time as a means of focus, a method or relaxation, and a tool to help one draw closer to God in the intimacy of prayer. MacBeth's thoughts and suggestions will of course be appealing to people that are visual but I also think they'd be a welcome reprieve for people that haven't doodled since elementary school. Beyond using her techniques personally this book is a great find for those that lead children, youth groups or those that have a difficult time saying prayers out loud in a community setting. If you find this intriguing you will certainly enjoy learning more at the website Praying in Color.

In the News

It was intriguing to stumble upon this photo in my alumni newsletter from the College of Arts and Artchitecture at Penn State University. The accompanying article explained that architecture students placed these blocks around campus so the public would have the chance to make their voices heard on public policy issues during Constitution Day. Containers of chalk near the blocks encouraged passers-by to share their views by writing on the blocks. Reportedly the response was tremendous. Writing is good--people might write what they're not willing to say, people might read what they're not willing to listen to, and by using this medium everyone has an equal entry point in sharing their thoughts. How can this idea be translated to our faith communities? It might be something as simple as a wall with a large piece of butcher block paper attached to it with a subject or piece of scripture at the top for people to respond to. Or, repsponses or even prayers could be written down and then incorporated into a worship banner created out of paper or fabric. The writer's block is an idea that worked because it was simple, non threatening and little bit different. We should be able to apply this concept to our sharing, growing together and respecting each other in our churches too.

A Funny

From the newspaper 9-14-08....

(click to enlarge image)

You never know where the phrase "Carrot Top" will be used next!

New Worship Banners

Where does a pastor, worship team or Carrot Top Studio come up with an idea for worship banners? The possibilities are endless! You might consider a liturgical season like Advent, a special occassion such as a wedding, or a visual interpretation of a piece of scripture. Our latest banners (seen at left) are actually an expansion of the church logo and their motto..."Gathered by His love for us -- Scattered by our love for Him!" We took the logo and created two images (instead of the existing one) and surrounded the images by the arch shape which echoed the sanctuary architecture. The predominant red was chosen as the traditional represention of the Holy Spirit. This was a great collaboration between a worship team that had a vision for a special Sunday that would include an ordination and the team at our studio.

Rituals and Family Traditions

It’s back to school time in my house. Even though my children are teenagers we continue to have the rituals of a new hair cut, something special to wear the first day of school, and a trip to the office supply store to gather the prescribed new notebooks and mechanical pencils. Another family tradition my children remain especially fond of is requesting that cookies be coming out of the oven as they walk in the door from their first day back to school. It can’t be a bag of their favorite store bought sandwich cookie or even a homemade cookie that was baked on a prior occasion and frozen for convenience (I am quite the freezer queen!) I believe it’s the act of the cookie that is coming directly from the oven that is symbolic of the warmth and security that they need to feel at the end of a day that is ushering them into a change in their norm. I must admit I love fulfilling this request but, it also makes me think about how important ritual and family traditions are and how this overlaps into the rhythm of the rituals in our Christian lives. These established procedures and routines also bring us comfort within the Church year. Gertrud Mueller Nelson writes that “Through rites we raise what is happening to us to a level of conscious awareness and in doing so we actively seek to be transformed.” Nelson wrote one of my favorite books on ritual and family tradition: To Dance With God.It has been available for several decades but its message and ideas are timeless. Pick up a copy to use within your own home, in your larger community or for a friend that needs encouragement that family ritual and celebrating the rhythm of the year is a wonderful connection to each other and the life of Christ. All of this thinking about celebrating has spilled over into Carrot Top Studio so we’ve added a “Colors of the Church year” stole to our collection. See it here!

I must leave you now...I think there is one cookie left...and I’m claiming it!

Olympic Banners

The Olympic closing ceremony in Bejing included wonderful, dramatic banners. They were hung from guide wires and draped across the central space to direct our focus to the action. At Carrot Top Studio this makes us wonder how many different ways a worship banner could be hung. Each worship sapce is special and unique and we should think beyond just hanging a banner against a wall!