Tag: Art

Lenten Practice

“I never aspired to write a book for the Lenten season. I have always been so much more attracted to the softness of the season of Advent. In fact, I may have been heard to say, ‘I will never write a book about Lent.’ But here I am, writing a book for Lent, this season of wandering in the wilderness.”
-Introduction to Walking in the Wilderness: Seeking God During Lent

As I was considering my Lenten discipline this year, I decided to read my book in a different way. I’m finding that way to be creating a collage each day. This practice is keeping me grounded, letting me hear these words as if they were spoken to me.

Each day’s entry in Walking in the Wilderness includes a quote from an Upper Room author, a scripture reading, a reflection and prayer from me, and a word to carry in one’s heart through the day. As I tear apart the pages of the book, different elements speak to me and arrange themselves on a page.

I offer to you some of these pages. May the Holy One guide you through these days.

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Summer Art Market – Purple Elephant Wisdom

Purple Elephant Wisdom Cards

I have contributed several items to the Virtual Summer Art Market at Art & Soul in Nashville, TN. (Art & Soul is an artist’s co-op which supports the arts and creative expression. We offer a variety of classes in a welcoming and inclusive space.)

At the market, you’ll find a fantastic variety of artwork, jewelry, leather handbags, photography and notecards representing thirteen local Nashville artists. I’ve offered several collections of my Purple Elephant Wisdom Cards. You’ll find sets of five or ten assorted elephant wisdom cards, packs of five wisdom cards mounted on colorful card stock (with envelopes), and a full set of 36 deluxe wisdom cards. (Learn more about the Purple Elephant Project.)

The Summer Art Market will be open through August 1. Visit SummerArtMarket.com and support the studio and local artists. We have set a pickup date and location for Sunday, August 2 from noon – 4 at the parking lot of Art & Soul in Nashville. If any purchases are from out of town, you will be able to contact info@summerartmarket.com, and each artist will contact you directly to arrange shipping.

There Is a Field

I’ve just returned from my second weekend intensive in spiritual director training with The Haden Institute. I’m grateful for time apart to learn, to be fed, to not be in charge of something, but, instead, to be fed spiritually.

There is a sacred space at the intensive that is just for creative expression and processing. I painted this piece in response to a Rumi quote that was shared in our morning meditation.

Out beyond the ideas of rightdoing and wrongdoing there is a field. I will meet you there.
-Rumi

Creating Mantles of Prayer

scarf4blogThis week we had a special ministry opportunity here in Nashville. We were invited to come to The Upper Room/GBOD and help make silk scarves — mantles of prayer — that will be given to each delegate and leader of the upcoming General Conference of The United Methodist Church. (The General Conference will take place in Tampa, Florida from April 24 – May 4, 2012.)

The process involved untreated silk scarves, three colors of water-soluble dye, salt, coated freezer paper, irons, loving hands, and prayerful hearts. Here’s a link to more photos of the process.

If you’d like to help make Mantles of Prayer for the General Conference, download these two PDFs of instructions:

You are invited to join together in 50 Days of Prayer for the upcoming General Conference. Sign up for a daily prayer email (starting March 16 and continuing through the end of General Conference). Or download a PDF of the booklet with the daily meditations. You can also purchase printed copies of the prayer booklet for yourself or congregation.