February 2019 Gathering

12th February 2019

“The Samaritan woman at the well”
John 4:3-42

Following an introduction and welcome from Alex, the morning began with the reading from St John’s gospel recounting the conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well and introduced the theme of living water. Vibrant and joyful singing followed then prayers led us to consider the activities linked to living water.

There was a table set up with fabric and stitching to depict ribbons of water for a waterfall in tones of blue, with beading, stiches and plenty of artistic interpretation.

A new activity a “quilt of nations” is beginning to take shape with squares of material very thoughtfully collected together by Vikki to represent countries of the world and machine stitched. This is a work in progress which will continue.

The free art table allowed expression through drawing, sketching and paint on the theme of water or the well.

David’s challenge to construct a well was enthusiastically received and the results are great.

At the writing table the group had thoughtful and heartfelt ideas and were inspired to put them onto paper.

The morning ended with a session when thought and work were shared.
This was followed by a soup lunch prepared in the newly completed kitchen with bread and cheese followed by grapes and a delicious selection of cake.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday March 12th
when the theme of water continues,
we hope to see you then.


For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

For this month’s words, see Creative Writing

 

January 2019 Writing

Baptism

Baptism
A new life
Changing habits
Sins forgiven
New life
Cleanse away the old life

Water
Washes me clean
Jesus brings the water of life
Flowing freely for all

Candle
Baptismal candle
Light of the world
Pure clear light
Jesus the light

© a writing group member


Our Salvation

He came to us
Within the animals warm shelter
Surrounded by deep love
Adored by humble shepherds
And forecasting noblemen
Gifts, He absorbed within his being
In waiting to pour upon us
He grew in understanding and readiness
Readiness to be both man and spirit
With the cleansing invigorating water
Flowing from John’s hands
And the blessing of reassurance from God
May we lift our hands in thankfulness
For this outpouring love
And continual resurrections
To feel that flow of blessed water
And life-giving Holy Spirit
Through all our journeys
In this life and the next.

© Helen McNicholl


Rebirthing

Oh Lord you sent your Dove and in descending
In a flash of understanding
You revealed the Holy Spirit
And gently touched my soul
I was reborn

©Barbara Rolison


Water and Creation

A guiding star leads the way
To the cradle in the stall
There a new born baby lay
Created with water
Born of water
Growing to manhood
Then baptised with water
God proclaiming to the world “my beloved son”
Filled with the Holy Spirit
Water of life wash over me
Sparkle thro’ my being
Cleanse me and create me anew
Watch the water fall over my face
Catching the rainbows beams
Water dancing in a myriad of colours
Water so necessary in creation

God’s Holy Son
Leads our way
Into prayer thro’ the waters of the river of life
To dream, to praise, to give thanks to be filled with the Holy Spirit in our turn
Called into “being” by water
Called to be caretakers of the waters of our world
Called to embrace the life giving powers of water
Called to be swept into life in the middle of the river of life
Called into worship of our creator

© Jenny English


 

January 2019 Gathering

8th January 2019

“The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan”
Mark 1:1-11

Greetings of Happy New Year filled the air as we assembled this morning.
Wonderfully harmonious music and voices accompanied our introductory song, “Come down O Love divine”. The reading was from Mark’s gospel invoking the Holy Spirit brought as if by a dove.

More melodious songs and then the introduction by David New of iconography, traditional and modern, depicting the Holy Spirit at the Baptism of Christ. This was our inspiration.

It was translated into art using fabric and stitching to depict ribbons of water in tones of blue with beading.

The clay table invited us to experiment and there were interesting results.

The charcoal drawing stimulated some artistic representations of the dove and the Holy Spirit.

Mosaic tiles were on offer at the “challenging” table and there were attempts to rise to the challenge of making a dove or flames using small squares and a great deal of imagination and skill.

The writing table had to be extended as our group had amazing ideas and were eager to put them onto paper.

The morning ended with a plenary session when resulting works were shared.  This was followed by a unique lunch held in the church with bread, cheese and pickle and followed by fruit and cake. (The kitchen is being replaced and soup will resume next month).

Our next meeting is on Tuesday February 12th
when the theme of water continues,
we hope to see you then.


For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

For this month’s words, see Creative Writing

 

2018 Christmas Tree News

Worcester Cathedral Christmas Tree Festival

If you joined us in November, or if you have seen November’s report, you will know that we were producing stars and figures for a Christmas tree to be on display at the Christmas Tree Festival in Worcester Cathedral.

Some of the work was not finished on the day, so a group of willing volunteers(?) got together to sort everything out.

The tree is now proudly displayed in the cathedral, and you can visit and see all of the trees or look at the cathedral website and see some of them.

We are very pleased and proud to announce that our tree has been chosen as one of the top ten trees on display! There is an opportunity for visitors and website viewers to vote for their favourite tree. If you have the time to visit, please do. The trees look quite stunning in the subdued light and the  display is well worth the effort.

You might even decide that our tree is the best and vote for it!

The Tree Festival runs from 8 December to 3 January. There is no charge; however you may wish to make a donation via one of the barrels to support the Cathedral and its work.


 

December 2018 Gathering

11th December 2018

“The Pearl of Great Price”
Matthew 13:45-46

A glittering cloth of gold set with the nativity scene and pearls in shells greeted us this morning as we sang ‘Hark the Herald Angels’ accompanied by our accomplished musicians, and welcomed new members to the group.

This was followed by a humorous piece “The Three Gossips” featuring three of our thespian colleagues! This was a short sketch about the village where Mary lives. The reading was a short text from Matthew and the significance of Jesus as the pearl was well explained by Alex.
To meet the cast and see an excerpt from the performance, see below.

The first activity offered was to use Lego and additional “dainty props” for the stable, the shepherds and the wise men. This was accompanied by artistically painted backdrops to set the scene. This was later described as “an excellent team effort” and “the most up market stable.” They are to remain in church this week for other groups to appreciate.

There were some most attractive ceramic baubles to design and paint with acrylic. They were truly spectacular and will grace several trees.

This month, David New’s challenge was an origami shell, delicate to look at and skilfully made.

The creative writing table was full of purposeful endeavour and self-expression with themes of Advent, Pearls and Crackers.

David M held a most enjoyable singing workshop to learn a new Christmas song which we hope to feature on the website in due course.

We ended with discussion of the morning’s activities, worship and prayer followed by delicious chestnut and orange soup.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and please remember to visit the Christmas tree exhibition in the Cathedral when maybe you will feel inspired to vote for the Kingdom Arts Christmas tree!! {Voting is also available on the Cathedral website}.
Our next meeting will be on January 8th we do hope to see you then.

A delicious new soup was offered for lunch, spinach, pea and pesto which was greatly enjoyed by many with the alternative potato and leek, accompanied by bread, cheese and home-made cake alongside plenty of conversations.

Our 1st meeting in 2019 is on Tuesday January 8th.
We will be delighted if you would join us.


For this month’s pictures, see the Gallery

For this month’s words, see Creative Writing

For this month’s drama, see The Three Gossips

For this month’s music, see Music

For all of next year’s dates, see dates for your diary.

December 2018 Writing

Crackers

Let us pull our crackers with joy,
Lord may our loud bangs stop live battles for ever.
The spilling gifts as of old, echo joys our children long for.
Remembering gifts of shepherds and kings,
Foretelling the saviour’s future and our salvation.
Hats to make merriment tousled hair and helping us smile.
Riskiness of puzzles to stretch our brains, and bring forth laughter.
But the longed for treasure is within God’s hands,
Growing layer upon layers years go by
The pearl we seek and treasure through life everlasting.

© December 2018 Helen McNicollMavis


Advent

Waiting for God’s only son
Knowing he’s a Special child
Choosing Nazarene maiden Mary
Telling Joseph

Summoning to Royal David’s city
Bumping along the trodden pathways
Pleading for a resting place
Birthing a boy

Blinding Angels in a mass
Lighting up the hillside, shepherds knew
Hastening they came to see
Glorifying God

Guiding the star shone
Searching for the new born King
Worshipping the Christ Child
Seeking Peace

© December 2018, Barbara Rolison


Heaven’s Herald

If no news is good news, then tell me, why does bad news travel fast?
If strength of souls is unity; then have we love that has to last.
If comfort is the warmth of hearts, in harmony with joy:
Or healing are the words of truth, no labour can employ.
Then LORD please send word of your truth, your promise and your plan:
That every woman, man and child can grow and stand, beneath your crown.
Your Kingdom Come, on Earth be done,
The will of what was with Your Son.
Your will on Earth be done.

© December 2018, John Pugh


The Shells Story

Sitting on the bottom of the ocean floor
Moving with the waves, who are moved by the wind,
Changing direction in the currents of the world.
My shell opening just a little to take in the nutrients.
Oh Wow! What is this, grit !! I struggle opening and closing my shell
I am unable to get rid of it and it will make a sore place.

Rolling it in the silk of my membrane makes it smooth and round.
After months of rolling it has become smooth and hard,
When the shell opens with the tide it gleams in the light,
Illuminating my inside and the ocean floor,
My shell grows to accommodate the shining,
I hear voices from divers, they are talking about pearls,
“Pearls of great price”

Is this what I have become, a shelter,
A shell that creates, moves with the forces of nature,
Providing a thing of beauty, gracing those who walk in the world.

Creation given for all, creating something new,
Revealed for those who choose to look and feel, and to reflect light
To change into the pearl of great price.

Advent

Winter dark and still
Stark black branches and twigs.
Standing against the blue , blue sky.
Late winter blooms fading and changing,
Early spring bulbs peaking through brown earth.
Colouring creation, colouring our lives.
Things hidden in secret
Seeds in the dark earth,
Cold and damp breaking that shell of new life,
Waiting, waiting, waiting.

Jenny


 

December 2018 Gallery

The Pearl of Great Value
– and Christmas

Start of the morning

Lego

Scenery

Baubles

Shells

Creative Writing

The Three Gossips

To meet the cast and see an excerpt of the performance,
click here >> The Three Gossips

and to finish the morning, we shared a simple lunch