Bats

We were very surprised to have a bat in the studio today!

I enjoy seeing the bats circle the tops of the pine trees at night but really didn't know how to handle this scared, little creature inside....especially as my daughter turned white because she was petrified.

After an animal control agent (I kid you not!) took care of the situation I had a jolt of a memory of a pastor in our church many years ago. Reverend was very tall and wore a black robe while preaching. He pronounced the benediction each Sunday by raising only one arm. We came to learn that when the pastor was young he first delivered a benediction with his wife-to-be in the pews whom immediately erupted in fits of silent laughter. It turns out that between the man's stature and the big black robe all his betrothed could think of, while he raised both arms at the end of worship, was that he just looked like a big old bat. Hence the forty year tradition with this wonderful man of only using one arm to deliver a benediction!

At Carrot Top Studio we work at and blog about the visual in the church today. Visual components such as banners and stoles certainly aren't created to make the congregation laugh. But, recalling our former pastor's story does make me sensitive to the fact that the visual can appear differently from different perspectives! How about you...any visuals that didn't work despite your good intentions in your church? I hope the reaction was laughter and nothing much worse. I'll sign off so I can make sure the screens and doors are secure so there will be no more unexpected guests in the studio today!

Beauty and Art at the Glen Workshop

Do you know about the Image and the Glen Workshop? They were featured this past weekend on a broadcast of Religion and Ethics Newsweekly, a national public television program produced by WNET Television in New York. The segment was recorded at the recent Glen Workshop, which was centered on the theme—“God of the Desert: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam through the Prism of Art.” Its purpose was to challenge Christian artists to discover how beauty and art might enable a better understanding of other religious traditions that trace their lineage back to Abraham.

The Religion and Ethics Newsweekly a national television program saw Image's mission and program as newsworthy and aired a segment about the Glen Workshop this past weekend.
The program will remain up on the RENW home page all week. To go to the Religion and Ethics Newsweekly home page, click here.

Inspiration From the Gee's Bend Quilts

Last weekend found the Carrot Top Studio staff in Baltimore to see the Gee’s Bend quilt exhibit at the lovely Walters Art Museum. The exhibition explored the impact of environment and traditional quilting techniques, and examined the structural patterns that appear to form the foundation of Gee's Bend quilt making. The quilts, whose patterns have been handed down through generations, display bold colors and an improvisational style that is reminiscent of 20th-century minimalist art.



Artistically, the distinctive and bold quilting style reminded me that simple is often better. The power and beauty of these quilts often comes from basic shapes in solid planes and subtle color choices. The quilts can be appreciated without the distractions of composition, theme and other elements of traditional quilting. The work has been stripped to what is essential.



The powerful American artistic quilting tradition of the women from Gee's Bend has been passed down through at least six generations to the present. The faith traditions of this community are just as strong. I don’t know how they have passed on their faith traditions but, I wonder if some of the following has been part of the families lives at Gee's Bend:

• bringing faith into the family's daily life...noticing God's fingerprint throughout the day.
  

• letting children experience the richness of worship...the sights, the smells, the sounds, the rhythm of the liturgy.

• teaching children the language of faith...the symbols, images, stories and songs.

The handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice is important. Today I am thankful for my family and others like the women of Gee's Bend who have gone before me.

We hope you’re inspired by the photo which is of “Housetop Variations” by Loretta Pettway, 2003.

Mystery Stole Giveaway

Carrot Top Studio has the best clients! We appreciate all of the comments you made when entering the Mystery Stole giveaway. Some of your thoughts included--

You desire:

• stoles that tell stories
• more Celtic knot work designs on stoles
• additional nature designs
• a design with reformation symbols
• stoles with symbols depicting a labyrinth
• the healing hand of God depicted on stoles (we actually have had several limited editions of healing stoles and they always sell out--you'll see more of this theme!)
• a line of lower priced stoles (if you don’t know about it you should check out our eBay items for weekly bargains.

You like:

• our price points



• our commitment to ship within 24 hrs.



• the new line of stoles with the hand dyed silk from the small business in Haiti. We now have four designs in this series and we’re enjoying giving 50% of each sale back to the LaCroix Mission in Haiti.
  

Several clients suggested we expand our advertising. This is where we could use your help. If you have a publication, webring or other network that we could advertise in we’d love to hear your suggestion. Please email jenny.gallo@carrottopstudio.com or make comment to this post.

And now, the drum roll please….the winner of the MYSTERY STOLE is a pastor in Massachusetts and she has been notified via email. We have shipped this stole (as seen below). It was designed with the universal message of peace. Ironically the winner has the word “peace” in her email address!

Coffee Rituals

Do you have rituals or passions that help you move through your day? Like many of you, a cup of coffee is included in our routine at Carrot Top Studio. We tend to like a robust, full bodied brew. Something so full of flavor that we sit back and take a few cleansing deep breathes while enjoying it. Good for the mind, body and soul.

As one of the most heavily traded commodities in the world, coffee is a direct link between our community and farming communities in Latin America, Africa and Asia. We love purchasing our coffee from Equal Exchange (http://www.equalexchange.com/). By paying a fair price, working with democratic cooperatives, offering affordable credit and supporting sustainable agriculture, Equal Exchange helps farmers to build better lives for themselves and their families.

It’s finely hot and humid outside the studio. About 3:00 in the afternoon you can find us recharging for the rest of the day with a decaf Vietnamese Iced Coffee. We hope you’ll enjoy our version as follows.

Vietnamese Iced Coffee

2-3 teaspoons sweetened condensed milk
1 c. bold (such as French roast) coffee
Ice cubes, as needed

Put the condensed milk into a coffee cup. Stir to dissolve milk. Pour this mixture over ice in a beautiful glass and stir briskly with a long handled spoon, making an agreeable clatter with the ice cubes to chill the coffee.

Now go pour yourself a refreshing drink and if you haven’t entered the contest to win the Mystery Stole do it now! The clock is ticking! The winning entry will be drawn on August 10th and will be announced on the Carrot Top Studio blog! Go to

www.CarrotTopStudio.com and follow the directions under the “specials” page.

Artistic Expressions

Being in the midst of nature or seeing other artist’s work can be very inspiring for me. Who could argue with having both at the same venue? Therefore, last week we ducked out of the studio for a day to go visit Phipps Conservatory. The gardens are currently filled with larger-than-life glass sculptures and bowls by Dale Chihuly and his glassmaking team. These abstract natural forms with their exquisite, energetic colors added unbelievable beauty to the gardens.

Phipps describes this exhibit…“Right here in our lush and inspiring gardens, Chihuly has planted an exhibit of his wild and wonderful creations -- and the result is simply breathtaking. Known for his flamboyant colors, monumental sculptures and outdoor displays, Chihuly is also famous for his creative collaborations. Inspired by our Victorian glasshouse – one of the oldest in North America, this pioneer in the use of glass has joined with our horticulturalists and landscape designers to create a dazzling fusion of art and nature.” The show lives up to this description and much more.

I don’t think I’ve ever had a presentation of art touch me the way this show did. One of the thoughts that continually ran through my head was how Chihuly was able to use his glass art to supplement the already superb environment of the gardens. Even with the exquisite coloring of the glass the art always seemed to mingle happily with the environment. The art did not scream for attention. The plants were not shouting out because they were being ignored. The surrounding architecture was like the perfect packaging. This concept relates to our worship spaces. When wearing stoles, hanging worship banners, or even adding a flower arrangement to the chancel I believe it should only be done to enhance the worship that will occur in the space. These artistic expressions are best when they awaken us to God’s presence and not call attention to themselves. I appreciate how the Presbyterian Church phrases this concept in their Book of Order; “artistic expressions should evoke, edify, enhance, and expand worshipers’ consciousness of the reality and the grace of God.”

If you are in the Pittsburgh, PA area prior to this exhibit closing on November 11, 2007 you would be amiss not to treat yourself to the experience of a visit to the Chihuly exhibit at Phipps. In the meantime think about the space you worship in and encourage artists in their offerings. Lastly, see if you recognize some lines and shapes that echo the work of Chihuly at Phipps in new stoles designs at Carrot Top Studio!

You can learn more about Phipps at http://www.phipps.conservatory.org .

Support a Womens Small Business in Haiti

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. The average yearly income per family is about $250. Haiti is plagued with unclean water, no medical care, no public transportation, no public education and unemployment.

Our faith community, Westminster Presbyterian (http://www.westminster-church.org) in Pittsburgh, PA has a relationship with the LaCroix New Testament Mission in Haiti. Recently, friends visited Haiti and taught a small group of young women from the mission to hand-paint silk. The group is known as La Femme de LaCroix (The Women of the Cross). They have now learned how to paint, process, package, and keep records for the project. The goal is to provide training for the girls, who also get tuition credit for the silk they produce. The mission receives the entire profit from the sale of the scarves made from this silk. We have purchased some of the exciting hand dyed silk to encourage the women of LaCroix in their small business and to include it in the design of a series of stoles for purchase through the Carrot Top Studio website.

Fifty percent of the sale of each stole will be given to support the ministry to this Haitian community to help it continue to grow to become healthy and strong. You may purchase one at CarrotTopStudio.com (http://http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeoro2y/id72.html)

To learn more about the ministry to the LaCroix New Testament Mission go to http://http://www.thomaschurch.org/index_files/Page987.htm

Something's Underfoot

When we think of textiles in our worship spaces we probably first think of pastor’s stoles, vestments, paraments for the Communion Table or worship banners. However, you can’t neglect that we often garnish our sanctuaries underfoot also. For example, Native Americans had special animal skins on which they prayed. Another illustration is the Muslim tradition of using prayer carpets to create an isolated space to concentrate in prayer. Additionally medieval Christians in the colder climates of northern Europe began dressing the floors of cold stone churches with vegetable fiber mats as well as fabric rugs. Instead of monotonous, wall-to-wall carpeting, a well-chosen, strategically placed carpet can add color, texture, and liturgical symbols to the room as it honors and defines a place for devotion in a holy place.

I have been thinking about these types of textiles while savoring the novel The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani. The story takes place in 17th-century Persia where a 14-year-old woman believes she will be married within the year. But when her beloved father dies, she and her mother find themselves alone and without a dowry. With nowhere else to go, they are forced to sell the brilliant turquoise rug the young woman has woven to pay for their journey to Isfahan, where they will work as servants for her uncle, a rich rug designer in the court of the legendary Shah Abbas the Great. She learns the carpet trade, blossoming as a clever designer and talented knotter. This captivating tale is interwoven with traditional Iranian folktales, as well as fascinating details of the art of the Persian rug.

Amirrezvani’s piece of literature, based on historical fact, is rich in detail of symbols and colors important to the religion of her characters. Time and time again in history we see examples of how the visual components of our faith are important. Another example is the photo in this blog that shows details of a rather unusual "Daghestan" prayer rug. It’s interesting to note that the cross shapes (as familiar to Christians) abound in this piece - even in the border. I am not an expert but one researcher of this rug wonders if it had been woven by Armenian Christians. It is not difficult to imagine the entire piece as a work of Christian faith.

The visual in the church today continues to be important. Based upon their dependence upon the internet, game systems, and the TV our youth are being raised to respond to the visual. We should take a lesson from history and from what the young today are thriving upon and not ignore the space underfoot...even in worship!

Why Wear A Stole?

After worship this morning, my research and development team (that’s my family!) was brainstorming ideas for a new line of stoles and vestments. The ideas ranged from the silly to the sublime. Pastor’s stoles with miniature sparkling LED lights, a stole with a flashing “applause now” sign, stoles remembering saints such as Mother Theresa, and stoles respecting the earth's resources because they were made out of recycled fibers were among the suggestions.

All this fun brainstorming may find you asking yourself why pastors even wear stoles. We’ve learned several stories. Stoles first might have originated as a practicality. It’s believed they were something upon which to wipe one’s hands after receiving the offerings of the people at a time in the early church when offerings of produce, other food stuffs and various animal products as well as financial offerings were given.

Secondly, in the 10th century, priests were commanded to wear stoles as a badge of their calling, especially when traveling. They may even have had little bells on the ends so people would know when they were approaching.

Lastly, we think symbolically of a stole as a yoke. This reminds us of Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and My burden in light”.

What do you think? Does any of this history of pastor's stoles or brainstorming of new ideas grab you? If you’d like to share any ideas send us an email or better yet share the idea when you enter to win the free "Mystery Stole" at Carrot Top Studio. Go to

www.CarrotTopStudio.com and follow the directions on the Specials link.

Pueblo Style Cross

The cross is the most familiar religious symbol of Christianity. During the first two centuries of Christianity, the cross was rare in Christian iconography as it depicts a purposely painful and gruesome method of public execution. The Ichthys, or fish symbol, was used by early Christians. The Chi-Rho monogram, which was adopted by Constantine I in the fourth century as his banner was another Early Christian symbol of wide use.

In Christendom the cross reminds Christians of God's act of love and atonement in Christ's sacrifice at Calvary - "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." The cross also reminds Christians of Jesus' victory over sin and death, since it is believed that through His death and resurrection He conquered death itself.

The cross is often depicted in different shapes and sizes and in many different styles. The Pueblo style cross as seen on the pictured stole is based on one that was found among the Pueblo people, groups of Native Americans living in the Southwest. The crosses usually have a plain design and are made of silver. When Spaniards arrived in the Southwest and encountered the native peoples in the early sixtennth century, they erected tall crosses at each village. The Franciscan missionaries taught the Native Americans to revere the crosses. The priests traded or gave ornamental crosses to the people, believing that if the Native Americans wore the crosses, they were accepting the new religon. In most cases the Pueblo peoples had accepted the crosses only as ornaments and not as symbols of the religon associated with them. Over time, many Pueblo people were converted to Christianity, and they personalized the cross design with their own cultural interpretation.

*Like the stole in this photo? It can be found at http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeoro2y/id70.html

Creativity

Looking for a words to help you prepare for creativity to be appreciated or unearthed? We like the following and invite you to try it also...

Praise the Lord, I tell myself;

O Lord my God, how great you are!

You are robed with honor and with majesty;

you are dressed in a robe of light.

You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens;

you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds.

You placed the world on its foundation

so it would never be moved.

Mountains rose and valleys sank

to the levels you decreed.

Then you set a firm boundry for the seas,

so they would never again cover the earth.

(Psalm 104:1-3,5,8-9 NLT)

Thirsty for more? This Ordinary Time would be a time to work your way through the book The Creative Life, by Alice Bass. Find it on Amazon, here-- http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Life-Unearthing-Christian-Imagination/dp/0830811877/ref=sr_1_1/002-4613655-6949669?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183941583&sr=8-1

Discover the creativity that God has for you!

*photo is a detail of a stole that can be viewed in it's entirety at (http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeoro2y/id45.html )

Recalling Patriotic Hymns

Tomorrow, in the United States, we will celebrate our country’s independence. I absolutely love celebrations and am particularly fond of the Fourth of July. Fireworks and relaxing time spent with good friends are highlights of this day for me. I usually conjure up visual images such as banners and stoles for special days within the year, but for the Fourth of July I hear the music of patriotic hymns dancing in my mind.

A favorite, “O Beautiful for Spacious Skies” by Katharine Lee Bates was written when her soul was stirred by the expansive earth below and the spacious skies above while hiking Pikes Peak in Colorado. She wrote, “It was there as I was looking out over the amber skies, that the opening lines of this text formed themselves in my mind.” Reportedly she immediately set to writing the hymn while in Colorado Springs.

I adore hiking the mountains and have had the pleasure of traveling to the top of Pikes Peak so I can relate to Ms. Bates reaction to her experience. There are many other places in this grand world that can provide those “mountain top moments”. I’m proud to be an American but after reading the history of this hymn I also think the wonderfully descriptive words it contains can be supplied for many places on this wonderful planet. Thanks be to the Creator.

Living in God's Time

Jesus teaches us through parables about the kingdom of God. For example, he uses the story of the mustard seed which grows into a large shrub. Likewise during Ordinary Time many churches use the color green for their stoles, vestments, and banners as an instructional reminder. Green is the color of growth and we can easily be stirred by nature to examine the multitude of variety there is within the hue and then carry this into the color within our sanctuaries. We are constantly inspired by Jesus's clever ways of teaching and using color and symbols is yet another way we can reach especially those that learn visually.

Additionally, as we grow to understand the kingdom of God I think of the questioning strategies that the Children and Worship (http://www.childrenandworship.org/ ) program uses. They teach the children to “wonder” to facilitate growth. For example:

• I wonder what the kingdom of God looks like in today’s scripture?
• I wonder why Jesus told this story?
• I wonder how I would have to change to live as Jesus tells us?
• I wonder what I can do this week to participate in the kingdom of God?

In the midst of this Oridnary Time enjoy the numerous greens, take time to wonder, and be encouraged to grow and lead others to do the same.

*The pictured Mustard Seed stole will be available on eBay (http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZcarrottopstudioQQhtZ-1QQfrppZ50QQfsopZ1QQfsooZ1QQrdZ0?) beginning 6/28.

If you like these thoughts you may enjoy Living in God’s Time, by Margaret McMillan Persky.

Children and Worship

The gospel is for all persons, regardless of age. The church includes persons of all ages. Worship is a corporate action in which children can be participants with adults. It is through such shared experiences that a child comes to know some things about God. Here are a few of our favorite tips regarding children and worship:

For parents:
It is hard to sit still for long. God knows this and so do we.
Growing up isn’t always easy, but it is well worth the effort.

For the congregation:
Greet the children around you.
Pass the children the offering plate, rather than over their head.
When children give visible worship leadership, respond to them as worship leaders—not as performers!
Always laugh with children, not at them.
Invite a family with children to sit with you.
Be understanding when parents need to take younger children out and then return to worship.
Remember the promise we make at the baptism of the children among us!

For the leadership:
In Children in the Worshiping Community by David Ng and Virginia Thomas it is suggested to read aloud Romans, chapter 12 with a group of children. Are these children not members of the body of Christ, with differing gifts? Can they not show faith and serve and teach and show mercy? Children can love, show honor, be aglow with the Spirit, rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and constant in prayer. The church would not be whole without children.

Children like adults respond to visual stimulation. Think about the vestments, paraments, banners, and bulletin covers your congregation uses. Are the symbols and colors relevant to support the worship? Do they change often enough so the congregation will continue to take notice?

Celebrate, embrace and learn from the children in your midst! Jesus welcomed them, so can we.

Ordinary Time Ingenuity

Ordinary Time might take a little ingenuity. I like to ponder what Acts 2:42 says; “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship and the breaking of bread and prayers”. In worship we change our stoles and banners to the traditional shades of green to symbolize growth. Our actions can also promote a visual influence and reminder of the Mystery of Christ. I stumbled across a list of ideas from the United States Catholic Bishops that includes simple tangible suggestions. They include:


Give a flower~Eat lunch with someone new~Listen with your heart~Visit a sick friend~Clean a neighbor's walk~Offer a hug~Give an unexpected gift~Make a new friend~Say "hello"~Call a lonely person~Open a door~Help carry a load~Plant a tree~Pass a kindness on~Buy someone's meal~Cheer up a friend~Thank a teacher~Give blood~Read to a child~Do one kind act every day~Leave a thank you note~Offer your seat~Tip generously~Be tolerant~Let another go first~Tutor a student~Give a compliment~Pay the next driver's toll~Lend a hand~Offer a ride~Respect others~Encourage a child~Walk a dog~Do a favor~Forgive mistakes~Drive courteously~Share a smile.

Enjoy living in the midst of Ordinary Time!

Pentecost

Pentecost is upon us and we anticipate being filled with joy and hope when we celebrate the birthday of the Church. Take pleasure in the following Ann Weems poem for inspiration, devotion or use in a group.

The church is Pentecost.
The Holy Spirit is poured out upon us
And sends us out together
aflame
with new life,
Inheritors of the wealth of God:
Life abundant.
We are liberated from the prisons of pettiness,
jealousy, and greed,
Liberated to be the church.

From Reaching For Rainbows

Book Review

Do you enjoy church history? Have you been thinking about the relationship between the liturgical arts and culture? You shouldn’t miss reading: All in Sync: How Music and Art Are Revitalizing American Religion by Robert Wuthnow. After interviewing 400 people, this Princeton sociologist reports that religious communities are being revitalized by increased artistic engagement. In fact, his studies show that "those with greater exposure to artistic activities are more likely than those with less exposure to be seriously committed to spiritual growth." Wuthnow is an astute observer of religious trends and at Carrot Top Studio we are very excited about the prospect of churches finding the balance between music and art and using these elements to strengthen personal spiritual journeys.

PS-Don’t neglect the wonderful creative answer to banners by Nancy Chinn on the cover of this book!

Rejoice!

In the midst of this season of ashes and dust, if you are in ministry, you probably need to think ahead to plan an Easter celebration. At Carrot Top Studio we also work a season ahead, therefore the phrase “Rejoice at the coming of your King!” is currently dancing in mind. This reference to Zechariah 9:9 fills me joy!

How will your congregation illustrate the joy of the Easter season? It may possibly be through the traditional colors of white and gold. Many will display lilies (see http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeoro2y/id66.html for an explanation of lilies) and spring flowers. Crosses will be draped in white and stoles and worship banners will display butterflies and the Lamb of God. Others will greet Easter morn while worshiping outside. The bona fide rising sun is an awesome visual display that could be part of any liturgical ritual.

What else can we do that is visual in worship for Easter? Involving children is keeping with Christ’s teachings. The young and young at heart would love to show their Easter joy with visual art that includes motion. Make ribbon dancers (directions follow) and let them REJOICE through movement accompanied by the uplifting music of Easter.

Ribbon Dancer

Supplies: 12” long wood dowel at least ¼” in diameter,
1 eye hook,
1 barrel swivel (found where fishing supplies are sold),
3-6’ silk ribbon, approx. 1” wide.

Attach eye hook in end of dowel. Attach barrel swivel to eye hook. Tie ribbon onto barrel swivel. Enjoy the movement of the ribbon by holding the dowel and turning your wrist.

Saint Patrick

Liturgical art is woven into my business creating unique stoles and worship banners. Therefore when I recently read, “the saints are to God like stained glass is to sunlight” I immediately loved the connection of a liturgical art form to faith. I think this person was seeing light changing as it passed through the colored glass. The many colors combine to form diverse hues to reveal hidden perfections of the original light beam. This calls to mind the virtues of the saints that help us to better appreciate God's comprehensive goodness.

Saint Patrick is of course one example from history that we can model our lives after. He was a missionary and the foundations of Christianity in Ireland are largely attributed to him. His life included a time in captivity, but he showed faith when he heard God’s call. The seeds that were planted when Patrick learned the Celtic language while in captivity allowed the perfections of God’s holiness to shine through him. By contemplating and honoring saint’s goodness, we come better to know and revere the overawing holiness of God.
Many of us are preparing to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. Some will do this with a green beer in hand or a green carnation on the lapel. But you might model your action after St. Patrick who of course focused elsewhere. He said, “May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us, may the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us. Be always ours this day and for evermore.”

Color Is the Symbol

We woke this morning to a glorious scene of sparkling snow. The whiteness blanketed everything it could. The color set a feeling in me that was much different than when I rise on a grey, rainy day or a brilliant, sun filled day. It never ceases to amaze me how color can affect a mood, trigger a feeling, or set the tone of an environment. Thinking of this is very fitting with the beginning of Lent right around the corner. I love the season of Lent because it invites us to a more intense reflection and a recoiling from everyday life. How can this feeling and mood be approached visually in worship? The liturgical color for Lent is purple, a solemn color, and a color for royalty and repentance. Consider letting color, without symbols, be the visual, solemn code and vehicle for centering on Christ. The color is the symbol.