Red for Pentecost

Pentecost Sunday approaches so I'm thinking about the color red. Technically, red is used only for the Sunday of Pentecost, although some churches use red for the Sundays between Easter and Pentecost Sunday. The red symbolizes both the fire of Pentecost as well as the apostles and early followers of Jesus who were gathered in the Upper Room for the empowerment from God to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world.Here are a few other interesting bits of 'red' trivia:

• As a former painter I know that the pigment in paint is a special one. Originally the pigment was squeezed out of insects and because of this tedious process there was an industry that traded and bartered for this precious item.

• Wearing red coats was the exclusive right of the nobility in medieval times and the red robes of kings, cardinals, judges and executioners announced their power over life and death.

• The hair of the Virgin Mary and the robes of Angels were depicted red in medieval paintings.

• Red is included in some colorful phrases: Paint the town red, to see red, in the red, red-letter day, red-neck, red tape, red-hot, not worth a red cent, caught red-handed, red-carpet treatment, better dead than red.

• Pentecost stoles are our second best selling item at Carrot Top Studio. Because they are typically only worn once a year we've found this very itneresting. Maybe it's because psycholigcally red is teh most emotionally intense color?
  

Happy Pentecost!

Commissioned Ministry Stoles

Last week we blogged about stoles that had been commissioned as sets. We of course also accept commissions for single stoles. Here are some of our past projects. We hope they'll inspire you!

An Ordinary Time stole designed by the pastor's husband who is an artist...we translated his drawing onto fabric.

A baptism stole that was used in a worship service for a child adopted from Guatemala.

A stole for a wedding officiant that includes a poem she wrote.

Another wedding officiant stole. The butterfly images echo her business logo. 

A communion stole for a children's ministry pastor to wear when she teaches about the sacraments.

We'd be glad to help you with a commission--simple or complex. Please contact us for more details at jenny.gallo@CarrotTopStudio.com.

Another Commissioned Stole Set

Here's another example of a commissioned set of ministry stoles. These were created over a year's time and were presented to a newly graduated seminarian. The stole designs were all connected with the use of the circle as  symbol of God's eternal love.

Advent stole: the light of the world.

Christmas stole: the birth of a king.

Lent stole: a different type of crown for our King.

Easter stole: Christ reigns the ruler of the world.

Pentecost stole: the Holy Spirit dwells among us.

Would you like more information on how to commission a stole? Contact us at jenny.gallo@CarrotTopStudio.com. We'd love to hear your ideas!

Commissioned Ministry Stoles

When Carrot Top Studio began four years ago we didn't visualize commissioned stoles as part of our repertoire. But when clients started ask for unique, one of a kind stoles we were thrilled with this type of creative challenge. Occasionally we have the added treat of doing a series. The following collection was commissioned by a seminary student preparing for minstry. The collection is bound together visually by the use of silk that is hand dyed by woman entrepreneurs in a ministry connected with our home church in Pittsburgh, PA. Every time we use this colorful, silk we make a donation to La Femme de la Croix to help grow their project which in turn goes to further their education so they can rise above poverty. We hope you'll be inspired by the follow:

An Advent/Lent stole symbolizing the story of the old and new testament and life cycle of Jesus.
This stole celebrates God bringing order out of chaos, the seven gifts of the Spirit, the anointing power of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit descended as a dove.  
A joyful stole for Christmas and Easter that includes hummingbirds as a symbol of the Resurrection and a recollection of its imagery in the Native American culture.
And last but not least a stole for Ordinary Time that celebrates creation.

Curious about commissioning your own stole or set of stoles...or maybe this would be the perfect gift for the newly graduated entering into ministry? Contact us (jenny.gallo@CarrotTopStudio.com) with your ideas and to inqure about details of the process.

Pentecost Banners

Looking to make a Pentecost statement in your office, chapel, or mediation area at home? Carrot Top Studio currently has two small Pentecost banners in stock. More details here.

Baptism

If you follow the lectionary you know that this week one of the themes that emerges is "baptism." It is found in Acts 10: 44-48. As an artist I tend to think visually. So I've searched out a baptism piece of art from history. This is "I Baptize Thee" by William Johnson. It was painted in 1940 and rests in the collection of the Smithsonian Museum of Art. The preacher and congregants stand in a creek or a pond to symbolize crossing the River Jordan into a new life.   I think the energy in the forefront of this painting matches the excitment felt by Peter and Cornelius when it was discoverd that God's plan included both of them--two people from very different backgrounds. That is Good News!

In need of a stole for baptisms? Find the collection at Carrot Top Studio here.

When Did You Draw Last?

The former art educator in me loved listening to a recent NPR interview with author and illustrator Mo Willems about getting adults to draw.Why do we stop drawing? It's such a natural expression as a child. It's a prewriting activity...and we certainly don't stop writing! Mr. Willems has interesting suggestions on how to keep adults drawing. He speaks about having "family draw night". This involves  the family around a table with paper in front, someone dictating a theme and then the drawing begins. Thinking about this I get a lovely vision of time spent together. I bet a lot of good things come from this activity beyond the creative activity of drawing...family bonding, great conversation, learning more about each other, and a time of relaxation and sabbath. How does this apply to our faith communities? I see drawing time incorporated into Sunday School classes of all ages, Bible studies, confirmation lessons, leadership meetings, staff meetings and MORE! An added bonus for those of us that crave a simple life....the supplies for drawing are so easily attainable! Go dig through your drawers and set out the pencils, pens, crayons and paper (you can even go green and doodle on your unwanted junk mail!) O.K. I feel I can put my soap box away for the moment. Happy drawing!

Liturgical Orange?

If you follow this blog, you know that Carrot Top Studio is fairly traditional.We love following the liturgical calendar as we offer ministry stoles to help make visual connections through color and symbol to those that you minister to.  For example we've just finished prepping our Pentecost inventory.  Our website has a few new offerings and the fun bargains are always on eBay. We think we're fairly creative but I don't think we've ever figured "orange" into the liturgical line up. But never fear! Someone else has come up with a way. If you need a good laugh you should check out the swine flu vestments here. I actually laughed out loud...hope this has provided a little joy moment in your day also!

Rainy Days!

It's raining outside our studio...has been off and on for a few days and we have a few more ahead of us.  Our raspberry patch loves the rain at this time of year. So we're thankful. We like being inside to get a little more stitching done on new Pentecost designs. So we're doubly thankful. Abby, the studio dog, is really the only one that's not too happy--she'd rather be basking in the sun. The showers do though make me wonder what it really would have been like for Noah and his family on the ark.  ....and as the clouds periodically break I'm always keeping an eye out for a rainbow!

*Only one Noah's ark stole left in stock....a portion of the proceeds go to an educational fund for women in Haiti. Buy it here!

The Top Five Reasons For Using Confimration Stoles from Carrot Top Studio

5-The banjo sing-a-long for confirmation 2008 was a flop!

4-The confirmands slept through their last lesson because it was just a lecture!

3-You’re a last minute planner and you know Carrot Top Studio will ship quickly!

2- The pictures on Facebook of the kids in their stoles will be awesome!

1-You know that people usually remember the dessert no matter how great the meal was therefore creating confirmation stoles at the end of confirmation will be the ultimate culminating activity! 

Happy Earth Day!

This quilted wall hanging was spotted years ago at Camp Crestfield. A lovely statement for Earth Day--which is really an everyday celebration. How are you celebrating today?

Wellness

As many of you are, I'm at a point in my life that there is so much I'd like to fit into a day! I know that I can conquer what I'm called to do with peace (not frantic anxiety) if I take care of myself by eatting well, exercising and finding daily quiet time with God. One of the little things I do is to eat an apple for my morning snack.  Beyond an apple a day, my friend Kathy is loaded with great ideas for getting through your day with optimal wellness.  For years I've watched her grow in her faith, maintain a solid marriage, and parent her four children (one with special needs) by His grace...and eating well and exercise.  She's taken her passions and is sharing her experiences at Wellness Roadtrip.  If you strive for encouragement on how to "fit it all in" in a day, you will absolutely enjoy her perspective. 

Lent Art Station #8-Jesus is risen!

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women the women bowed down their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! (Luke 24:2-6)

Do you look for Jesus among the living? Do you expect him to be active in the world and in the church? Look for signs of his power—they are all around you.

Lent Art Station #7-Jesus cares for His mother

And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. (John 19:25-27)

Who is your family? Our families are precious gifts from God, and we should value and care for them under all circumstances. What can you do to show your love to your family?

Lent Art Journey Station #6-Jesus is nailed to the cross

When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:35-37, 45-46)

Jesus raised his voice to God with words from Psalm 22. When we feel the sting of rejection we too must keep in mind the hope and victory that God promises us.

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.