Lent Art Journey Station 5-Jesus is stripped of His garments

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it." This was to fulfill what the scripture says, "They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots." And that is what the soldiers did. (John 19:23-25a)

A prayer suggested by the writings of St. Augustine

Father, we pray on behalf of those

who cannot reach out to you at this moment.

Protect those who are facing adversity.

Strengthen those who need courage.

Keep watch over those who weep.

Tend the sick, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering.

Dear Lord, let the victims of cruelty and oppression

know that you are with them at this moment. Amen.

Lent Art Journey Station 4-Jesus Speaks to the Women

A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.' Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us'; and to the hills, 'Cover us.' For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?" (Luke 23:27-31)

The tears of the women were nothing compared with what was to come. How can we assist in giving life to all, developing individual natures and encouraging each person’s inner strength? May the Lord grant us freedom from our selfish concerns and let us join with our sisters and brothers in a partnership of living.

Lent Art Journey Station 3-Simon Helps Carry the Cross

They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha, which means the place of the skull. (Mark 15:21-22)

Jesus always welcomed the help of very ordinary people.  And yet we remember that he said to take up our own cross and follow him. He said something about becoming a servant of all, of putting ourselves last and others first.  Is this what it means to be a servant?  Is this man from Cyrene modeling for us the path of discipleship? How can we be useful to our Lord?

Lent Art Journey Station 2-Jesus Accepts His Cross

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"  They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head.  After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. (Matthew 27:27-31)

Contemplating the suffering which is unbearable to us, and is unbearable to others, too, can produce awake mind, which arises from the compassion that wishes to free all living beings from suffering. (Dalai Lama.) 

Lent Art Journey Station 1-Pilate Condemns Jesus to Die

Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You say so." But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer.Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?" But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. . . .So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." . . . and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. (Matt 27:11-14, 24, 26b)

We find it easy to condemn the moral cowardice of Pilate. Have you ever given into pressure from others to take the easy path rather than the right path?

This is the first piece in a Lent series. Read about the series here.

World Day of Prayer

"In Christ There Are Many Members, Yet One Body" is the message that is constant each year at the World Day of Prayer worship service. I had an opportunity to attend my local worship service on Friday. I look forward to these ecumenical community wide services each year that provide focus on areas of the world that I'm usually not familiar with. This year the focus was on Papua New Guinea and it allowed us to learn about the strength of women and their many needs. The Old Testament focus was the story of Moses being resuced as a baby...women coming together from different cultures and different levels in society to work together for a common goal.

Beyond the message I always look forward to worshiping in the sancutary of the church that this service was held at this year. The space was designed with all the senses in mind. It is circular, has multicolored stained glass surrounding half of the spacewhich is a visual feast. The other part of the circle is surrounded with bas relief scultpure. You can't actually touch it but you can easily image what it would feel like. But, my favorite aspect is the baptismal font that has running water in it that you can hear throughout the service. A gentle reminder of living water and the sacrament that is so near and dear to our faith.

Lenten Art Journey

One of my favorite volunteer activities is curating the Gallery at my home congregation, Westminster Presbyterian Church. It's a wonderful challenge to seek out local artists that are willing to share their work. The goal is to encourage artists, individuals, and the congregation to engage the visual arts with the spiritual life of the church.  I'm thankful that this congregation values the significance of visual imagery in spiritual formation and the development of faith. The exhibits change monthly and I've put myself out there this month by sharing a series of Lenten art quilts (they're like small worship banners) from my own studio.  Each piece is accompanied by scripture and a prayer, a thought provoking quote or a life application question. Beginning next week I'll be posting each piece on this blog--several each week.  I hope that they will enhance your Lenten journey.

Tomorrow is Donut Day!

I grew up celebrating German Fastnaught Day. The tradition of eating donuts the day before Lent began stems from the need to use up fat, eggs and dairy products before the fasting and abstinence of the Christian season of Lent and the desire to have one final "sweet treat" before that period begins. Today I live in a different hometown and the bakeries alternatively promote this day as the Polish Paczki Day. I cherish times of preparation such as Lent but I must admit that my sweet tooth looks forward to traditions such as donut day...no matter which country of orgin it is connected with.  I'm off to the bakery to stock up for tomorrow so I can relive my childhood and recall the story of this tradition with my children.  Hope you'll join me!

Preparing for Lent

While preparing for Lent, personally and by outfitting clients new and old with purple stoles, I came across this thought...

“The spiritual goal of Lent is to admit our need for Lent.” Donna E. Schaper, Breathing New Life into Lent.

Something to think about.

Preparing for Lent

I'm preparing a "Lenten Art Journey" for my home church's art gallery.  Therefore I've pulled out some favorite readings for Lent and discovered some new ones.  

Seven Lasting Words, by Christopner Seitz is an old favorite. The vingettes are simple and clear yet powerful inspiration during Lent. The wood carving illustrations by Helen Firth are the perfect accompaniment.

A new read for me is The New Stations of the Cross by Megan McKenna. Mckenna suggests that if a church has no stations then stations that represent symbols of the Lent to Easter story can be used.  These might include: collections baskets for food for the poor, clothing items, green cards, barbed wire, stones, collages of faces, crosses with names, candles, banners of color. She subscribes to using less than more to make the statement of the symbol.

If your church does not have permanent stations what have you done that has proven meaningful to enhance the season?

BINGO!

Looking for a fun way to open the eyes of the young (and young at heart) in your worship space? Play sanctuary BINGO!

Make a bingo sheet with drawings, photos, or descriptive words of shapes and symbols that you see in your church worship space. During a non worship time...such as education hour or a special family social/event hand out the bingo sheets with a marking tool. Instruct the participants to walk around as individuals (like stealth spies) and when they find something that matches the sheet they can cross it off. Decide whether "bingo" is one row or the whole sheet (we call this black out).When someone gets "bingo" they can shout it out...but the game continues until time is called. Designate a spot the participants are to meet at when they've completed their game board--this will help you know when everyone is done.

When time is called, gather everyone together and discuss what they found. Discuss the meanings of the symbols that might not be obvious.

We've used this as a warm up prior to working with children to design worship banners. The kids often love being able to walk freely around their worship space...including areas that don't usually walk in such as a chancel or behind a pulpit. This is a good time to introduce the word reverence if it's not in their vocabulary (like when you're telling them not to RUN while playing the game). The children become more visually aware of the how and why to worship spaces and often can educate adults about shapes and symbols we take for granted.

Going to Church

What do you remember about your youth? I remember times of awkwardness, times of embracing challenges that adults might have thought impossible because I didn't know fear, falling in love, and last but not least always going to church. Going to church is what we did--no question about it. Our family has done it for generations--no question about it. I was thinking about our youth director this morning. I know he's preparing for a confirmation retreat this weekend. Today I pray especially for parents of young children and youth and their spiritual leaders. May parents be encouraged to include their children in worship so it is only natural for the children to continue worshiping and become members of their faith communities as they grow into teens. Worship is work but it can be joyful work for an entire family if it becomes ritual and routine. Now I'll put my soapbox aside and let you enjoy the image below from one of my favorite American artists.

Going to Church, William H. Johnson, 1940-41, Smithsonian American Art Museum

William H. Johnson painted rural scenes inspired in part by his memories of growing up in South Carolina. This family of four rides on an oxcart toward a distant hill, where three crosses mark their physical destination as well as their spiritual home on Calvary.

Church and Steeler's Football

I love my hometown of Pittsburgh. Currently it's hard not to get swept up in Steeler's Nation excitement even though I'm not a native nor am I a huge professional football fan. Someone suggested the studio might enjoy making Steelers' stoles for pastors to wear this Sunday. I'm sure I could sell at least one, but we chose to keep worship of God....just that, and nothing else. The closest we ever came to breaking this was for a pastor that ministers in a college town with two schools that have a huge rivalry. We created the stole in this photo for him. The Sunday prior to "the big game" he walked into worship wearing both school's colors. When it was time to delivery the sermon he approached the pulpit and reversed the stole to the other side that delivered the message of peace. I wasn't worshiping with this congregation on that Sunday but I did appreciate this pastor's desire to connect to his congregation with his sense of humor yet in the end try to bring them around to focus on the Lord. Carrot Top Studio enjoys a challenge and we look forward to the next "unique" commission!

Simple Can Be Great

This is a great example of a banner that is just a solid color and what a wonderful statement it can make. We spied this banner at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Center. The simplicty works well because there is much else happening visually. Churches with worship spaces that are visually "busy" might consider keeping their injections of color and textiles very simple. Color can be a statement within itself. Upcoming solemn, somber, penitential Lent is a great example of a time when this might work well....think solid, deep, dark purple!

Intriguing Video

Into Great Silence was the most intriguing film I watched while enjoying some downtime during the Christmas season. I've always been curious about monestaries and the lifestyle that surrounds them. Watching this film totally immerses you into the daily life in this simply beautiful setting and the daily life of the monks. One of the conditions of the creation of the film was that no additional voiceovers or background music would be added. I understand the request but I think it is also an artistic benefit allowing the viewer to be totally absorbed. Viewing this community that is totally committed to serving the Lord made me step back and look a little closer at my life. "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) is a piece of scripture that I am often drawn to....probably because it takes a lot of work for me to be still. Watching Into Great Silence affirms that I could work a little harder in 2009 on this 'skill'! If you haven't seen this film I recommend you find a venue, go in with an open mind, and enjoy the art.

Epiphany

Epiphany comes from the Greek word epiphaneia, which is translated both as "coming" and as "manifestation" or "appearing." While Christmas celebrates Christ's coming in the Incarnation event, Epiphany celebrates manifestation--the ways in which the Incarnation is revealed to us. Today we celebrate Christ's identity being revealed to the world with the visit and adoration from the Magi and Jesus' first miracle at the wedding at Cana. Today may we have a glimmer of understanding of the hugeness of this revealed mystery of Christ.

Celebrating Ephiphany Sunday

Didn't get enough of "We Three Kings" in worship today? Watch this video that combines the song with images by artists throughout the ages.

Merry Christmas!

The studio closes at noon today and we're grateful for the busy season that it has been for us but we are also looking forward to a week's respite with family and friends. What gets me through this jam packed season that is really supposed to be about expectant waiting and preparation is a new book of meditations I treat myself to each year, all the delicous sugary treats, and laughing at commercial advertisements for "the season". Here were a few commercial slogans that gave me a chuckle this year:

• Let’s make Christmas! (how could we "make it" better than it's already been made?)


• You can give them Christmas (for a jewelry store)


• A million reasons to Believe (for a department store)

Merry Christmas to you and yours. We look forward to the next year of helping you celebrate the visual with stoles and worship banners from our studio.

Greeting Cards

It's the season to receive an influx of Chrismas cards. Many of those with religous art images will be reproductions of Renaissance paintings. Paintings from this time period were produced for churches, for the home, or for people to travel with and show others to inspire or help others contemplate a scene in hopes that they would draw closer to the meaning of the life of Christ. The symbolism is extensive in these paintings. A wonderful article is found here if you'd like to learn more about decoding specific symbols such as why Joseph is often portrayed as an old man, why we don't see more paintings that include a cave, and what the order of the wisemen and how they are standing might mean. I love the idea of the Renaissance notion that the art can be a teaching tool or open the door for conversation with a friend. This isn't so foreign an idea for us today. We sometimes just need reminders that there is a vast amount of people that respond to the visual. Enjoy your Christmas cards and consider setting them in obviously places for others to see or saving the artwork to use at a later "teachable moment".

Looking for a Christmas Craft?

Here's an idea based on an old favorite activity...

Create a "Chain of Blessings" that will decorate your christmas tree: using colorful slips of construction paper, have each family member or church member write down blessings that they have enjoyed throughout the year; attach the slips together to make a paper garland of blessing around the christmas tree.

If you've like to go the extra mile and create a chain that can be enjoyed and added to for many year you can make it out of fabric and write your blessings with a fabric maker. Here is a tutorial.

Chains like this are great because they can be made by all ages, can be a great "team" project, and the repetative activity can actually be soothing and calming cause us to sit and pause during what is supposed to be a reflective season. Have fun!