Category: News

February 1st

We kick off this month with a thoughtful article from Frances which includes a pop-up picture and some creative writing inspired by Isaiah Chapter 43.

Frances explains:

Last month’s Kingdom Arts  focused on Isaiah 43, verse 19: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

I took ‘springs up’ quite literally! I wanted to try to make a pop-up from a picture with streams of water in what would otherwise be a desert wasteland. Despite looking beautiful because of the water in the foreground and a stunning sunset, the terrain would have been uninhabitable. Perfect for the metaphors in Isaiah 43!

Using the original, I altered and printed a copy. I positioned it on the original scene and decided to keep both suns to emphasise the intensity and ferocity of heat on the desert and its creatures.

Initially, I felt as though I was forming a miniature theatrical set! It took many attempts to get my head around where to make the cuts! Trial and error technique … helped by a trusty tube of prittstick glue.

I set to work with the challenge to make details pop-up.  In order to extend the background, I had to use an identical image right at the back.

When it began to come together, I was able to focus on the verse rather than the maths needed to do the art – but I soon needed to read the whole chapter of Isaiah and rewrite them as a word from God to a modern audience who can empathise with ‘desert experiences’, particularly in this time when we are in a covid-19 lockdown.

Click here to read Frances’ contribution in February Writing page

February 4th

Hello Again, We seem to be in the same position as we were last time we wrote to you except, of course, some of you may have received the vaccine….. a great step forward ! As it says in Psalm 126:3

“The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.”

As we look outside and see the beginnings of Spring with the bulbs shooting up and the sun shining, even if weekly, through our windows, we can take heart that better things are on the way. We live in the Hope of the gospel.

I happened to come across this from Pope Francis’ work “Laudato Si” and it was entitled a Prayer for our Earth. I am sure this will get your creative juices flowing. Enjoy reading and praying it. You could print it and illustrate it in some way and send it to us so we can put it on the website as a breath of Spring and Hope to encourage us all.

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.

STOP PRESS

Kingdom Arts Gathering on Zoom to celebrate Easter.

TUESDAY MARCH 30th . . . 10.30a.m.

Details to come.

With love Alex and Sue xx

February 17th

Ash Wednesday

As memories of pancakes vanish
the Lenten offering awaits
for bowed heads and contrite hearts.
Humanly torn crosses lie dismantled,
echoing past and present human conflicts,
along with self-made, bewildering human pain
that numbs and paralyses the mind.
But those crosses are blessed,
purified by God’s cleansing fire,
igniting the promise of growth to come.
Blended by drops of healing, Holy oil.
Ready to be used as a witness
to God’s great forgiveness and everlasting Love.
Strengthened with a million uttered prayers
from every race and nation,
And outstretched helping hands,
so that we can live with renewed strength –
in God’s Faith, Hope and Love

Helen McNichol

February 22nd

A reflection from Frances:

The Lord is the Greatest Creator

The Lord is the greatest creator and we are full of joy.

Built into the laws of the universe,
hope can be found in disaster
and we are included so we can bring hope
and light up love as the answer.

Integral to the laws of the universe,
growth is seen in unforeseen places
and deep inside we thirst to thrive
and do the unexpected.

Innate within the laws of the universe,
We can find peace in discord and separation,
and we are included so that we can bring
accord and reparation.

Inherent in the laws of the universe,
There is a pure source of patience,
And we are included so we can resource
patience in static situations.

The Lord is the greatest creator and we are full of joy.

Reflection on Psalm 126 verse 3 by Frances Burton

If you want to see the earlier entries,
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for December

January 4th

All of us at Kingdom Arts wish you a very Happy New Year for 2021.

We hold on to God’s promises for us for this New Year, for us to receive the Vaccine and a return to meeting with one another again. I hope you had a good Christmas Celebration, perhaps not in the way you may have hoped but one that you will remember for a long time! I expect, like us, you are just waiting for our world, our country, our lives to get back to some sort of normality, order and routine.

Maybe you haven’t had the energy or desire to even think about being creative ! Today is the day for you to look ahead into 2021, to thank God for keeping us all safe and to ask him what to do in this next period of our journey here on earth. I love this from Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert”

We have to keep moving forward. It is only in moving forward that we can accomplish what God has in store for us. We can’t stay where we are and after last year we don’t want to go backwards! The only way is forward….So let’s move on, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. He has called us to do amazing things. He will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert for us. It’s time now to focus on what lies ahead, it’s still uncertain and still scary but if we look to Him for our answers we can have confidence in the future laid out for us.

Maybe the Isaiah verse will get you thinking creatively – or maybe not!! -but do keep us in touch with how you are and what you have been up to. It was really great seeing so many of you on our Christmas Zoom Gathering. What a lovely time we had together, worshipping, singing, praying and sharing … not forgetting the soup too! Did anyone have a go at making it? I am sure Jan would like your feedback. Thank you to those of you who wrote to us afterwards to encourage us to plan another. Watch this space!

A big thank you to all who have sent in bits and pieces for the website, making it so interesting, varied and creative. Do send anything at all which  you think may interest others – practical items, art, music, poetry – anything which has helped you to cope during lockdown. We can display words, pictures, sound and video as long as it’s your own creations. This website is only as good as the contributions you send in.

May the God of Hope and Peace watch over you in 2021.

With love Alex xx and Sue xx

January 9th

An Advent report

Jan Butterworth received a message from Lesley Brown, one of our regular Kingdom Arts members, which included a detailed description of activities which took place in her local community during Advent. It all sounded so interesting, we thought you would like to see it . . .

Despite not being physically in church, the Christmas period has been just as busy as usual for me. We have our Sunday morning 9.30 gathering on ‘Zoom’ and have between 50 and 80 joining. A great joy has been having people who are distanced from us yet can join in our worship together – past members, relatives and some who have found themselves marooned in Europe – in Devon, France, S Africa & Nepal. I have ‘preached’ on Advent Sunday, midnight on Christmas Eve and last Sunday, Epiphany.

Greatest difficulty with ‘Zoom’ is it’s not good for children. As a Parish we thought of some different ways to celebrate Jesus’ coming. I was involved particularly in 2 initiatives.

Before Christmas we ran an Advent Light Trail, involving 10 houses putting up a lighted display of some sort in a window of their house. We created a Trail booklet with a heading, a Bible verse and a thoughtful question for families to engage with as they walked and looked. They were distributed to all the children at our First School & in church.

I had Joy to the World ‘I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people’ Luke 2:10 What’s the best news you’ve heard? How did you feel?
I used a couple of old Christmas cards to plan my design. I made a cardboard frame to fit my bedroom window and stuck some glassine paper across it (found that in Malvern art shop – strong so didn’t tear). The rest was done with black card and tissue paper…

I met a few of the people coming round on the Trail and the neighbours loved it.

Between 20-28th Dec we created a semi-life-sized nativity scene in the porch of our old little church at Cofton. Normally the church is used for services so the pandemic presented an unusual opportunity! Lots of people walk past St Michael’s because of where it is and it backs on to the new houses that have been built on the old Rover factory site – all in our Parish.

I constructed the body forms using things we had for junk modelling in Messy Church & stuff lurking in my house…..carpet rolls, cardboard tubes, chicken wire, old cushions & tights!

There was much hilarity taking those to be dressed by a couple of others, who did a magnificent job with the clothes & painting of face masks….

The feedback has been amazing – lots of visitors! I also did some thoughtful signposts on the path to it . . .

“God welcomes us. Come on a journey to look for Jesus”
“Wealthy wise men, smelly poor shepherds…we can all come to God just as we are”
“God in the flesh. This is the manger which one night became God’s throne room. Rest here in wonder!”
“Gold, frankincense & myrrh…What will be our gift to Jesus?”
“God guided, Joseph & Mary trusted, God has plans for us today!”

I send my love to you all and do look forward to the day I can join you again.

This is the prayer I used on Sunday, Epiphany…

God of surprises,
Older than we can imagine, yet ever new;
Help us to face change with courage and to live without fear
because we know that you journey with us.
Open us to hear you speaking
through unexpected people, in unexpected places, at unexpected times,
even those we have written off.
Enable us to embrace the unknown with joy,
and to be the light of your love in the world of today.

Very much love and greetings in our Lord,
Lesley Brown

January 17th

Two reflective pieces of creative writing from Helen:
‘Thoughts during a Cold Spell.’

A Changing World

We went to bed with temperatures falling,
and awoke to a changed, white, still World,
reminiscent of Winter coverings
in closed holiday homes.
And a bleary-eyed sun struggled to shine,
but ice-encrusted grass blades rose up,
ready for moral combat.
Piles of dormant, brown, Autumn leaves –
transformed into jewel-decked treasures.
The robin puffed up his feathers,
as we put on another jumper,
and found our protective clothing.
The elderly stayed at home,
while youngsters slide on ice with glee.
Motorists muttered quietly
as they scraped away the clinging frost,
to give them clearer vision
What are our homeless thinking?
Will they survive another night?
With God’s help and strength we will survive
to face and help a changing World.
Helen McNicholl.

Thoughts on a late afternoon Winter Walk

Thoughtfully I kicked my way
through motionless leaves,
fallen from resting trees.
Suddenly a breath of the Holy Spirit
sent the leaves flying and twirling.
A glorious resurrection before my eyes,
filling my heart with hope and joy.
Words from long ago were remembered;
uttered by a ‘wheelchair bound’ Joan.
“Oh Joy, when I’m in God’s Kingdom
I will walk, run and dance again.”
Do we try to dance to your tune God?
A seagull was perched on an old telegraph pole,
an avian refugee from coastal parts,
sampling Birmingham’s kind inclusiveness.
Was he dreaming of distant waves,
beating against rugged cliffs and ledges,
which once were home and company?
Or was he just thinking
‘I am King of the Castle’ ?
Who reigns supreme in our lives?
Gazed in wonder at the day’s last trumpet call,
overwhelmed by the colours of the setting sun.
How often have we missed the vision –
working late, pulling curtains?
Silhouetted, stripped trees were standing proud,
Their pure shapes visible for all to see.
No disguise or pretence.
Has Advent de-cluttered us?
The warmth of home beckoned
like the stable long ago welcoming shepherds.
Thank you Lord that you welcome all
to the home of your heart.
Helen McNicholl.

January 28th

If you want to see the earlier entries,
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for November

December 8th

This month we’ve had our first meeting for nine months! Admittedly, it was a ‘Zoom’ meeting, but 26 of us were able to spend time together – worship together, chat together, laugh together and enjoy each others’ company. Let’s hope it won’t be too long before we are able to meet again in person at St George’s in Worcester.

Here are some excerpts from the gathering:-

We had a version of a well-known carol with several of us singing. Why not join in? . . .

We were treated to a new song from Sue:

Last year Shefalie wrote a beautiful poem – Mary’s response to the Angel’s visit to her. She read it to us . . .

Just before Shefali’s poem, there was a brief picture of a nativity scene. In fact, this is an altar frontal created by the craft group at St Peter’s Church, Ipsley (in Redditch).

In preparation, many of us had created origami angels before the meeting and these were displayed (see November Journal for instructions).

Vikki produced a very impressive macramé angel.

Instructions for this can be found on YouTube. Click the link below if you would like to see them.

DIY Macrame Angel Tutorial – YouTube

We were able to sing along to another song, led by David . . .

CCLI 516751

No Kingdom Arts meeting is complete without soup from Jan; and although we could not taste her offering, we could follow her instructions and make our own.

Instructions can be found on the BBC Good Food site. Click the link below if you are interested.

Cauliflower & chestnut soup recipe – (BBC Good Food)

If you prefer a demonstration, who better than ‘Jan the Chef’ to explain how to make your soup?? (Sorry the sound isn’t too good).

Soup demo – Part 1

Soup demo – Part 2

We finished with The Blessing from Sue

The meeting ended with plenty of chatter and smiles, with everyone looking forward to the next time together.

December 16th

A Christmas song from David

If you want to see the earlier entries,
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for October
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for September
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for August

November 19th

Art work – Autumn Seeds

November 17th

Advance notice of our December (virtual) gathering:

Invitation

We at Kingdom Arts invite you to join us in a ZOOM meeting on:

Tuesday Dec 8th 10.30-11.30

Christmas readings, carols, prayers, worship songs, chat and laughter. Mulled wine and mince pies (bring your own!)

We invite you to make an origami angel, see details and how to get instructions below.

If you get in touch with your Kingdom Arts contact, we will send you the Zoom code details.

Origami Angel

Details for making this Angel, were to be found at Ripon Cathedral for an event called “A Wing and a Prayer” Unfortunately, they are no longer available.

David

November 10th

Hello Again,
Our regular monthly meeting should be today. Happy November!

Here we are again rumbling along to Christmas, not sure who we can see, where we can go and for how long and whether all the Tesco delivery slots will have gone! I thought it appropriate we chose the story this month from St. Mark’s Gospel (4:35-41) of the disciples in the boat and Jesus calming the storm. It’s an exciting story and visually amazing. I am sure you can get creative and come up with something out of this! Do have a go and send it in to us.

The significance of Jesus calming the storm is so very pertinent to what’s happening in our world today and is evidence of God’s love for us. Covid 19 has had a significant impact on our lives. We’re flooded by numerous types of storms weekly, daily, and even hourly!

These storms are both internal and external and the chaotic circumstances around us are beyond our control. Right now, many can relate to the disciples’ emotions when Jesus calmed the storm.

But as country after country go into lockdown, the same fear and panic the disciples experienced looms over us. What can we do to calm our fears?
We have to hold onto words from the Bible, prayers, hymns and worship songs to remind ourselves that God’s love for us can never be destroyed.

God is with us in our pain and fear and uncertainty and will lead us to a yet more glorious day. Keeping in touch with friends and family is important too, that’s why we keep this journal going to let you know that you are loved by God and by us!

Alex x and Sue x
PS This November we should have been celebrating our 5th Birthday!

Our first poem of the month comes from Helen, ‘Crossing over’

Read it in the November Writing page

A lockdown project

It took a little longer than the first lockdown, but it was fun.  Vikki loves gardening and had wanted a wildlife pond for some time.

You may have noticed the ‘Gnome Home’

Finished. Now what? . . .

If you want to see the earlier entries,
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for September
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for August
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for July

October 28th

SADNESS
It is with sorrow that I have to tell you that lovely Janet Hastings, after losing her courageous battle with cancer has now gone to be with the Lord she loved and served all her life. We will so miss the beautiful creative writing that she shared with us and her amazing smile and attitude to life. Pauline, a good friend and regular attendee at Kingdom Arts used to send her butterfly cards every day since her diagnosis. ….what a lovely, thoughtful gesture. Pauline always made butterfly cards as Janet loved the butterfly symbol of Resurrection New Life. I asked her to let me see one and here is one she made. So beautiful. Thank you.

Alex

You will find examples of Janet’s writing in the Creative Writing section

February 2019 : Living Water

January 2020 : The Temple

October 19th

A harvest poem from Helen

It’s easy to forget the importance of harvestime in our urban world, yet it is vital for the well-being of all living plants and creatures, including us. Helen’s poem is a beautiful reminder . . .

Read it in the October Writing page

October 13th

Today should have been our October gathering and a chance to enjoy fellowship and one (or two) of Jan’s delicious soups. Here’s one you might like to try at home:

Curried Pumpkin  Soup

This autumn/ harvest soup is full of goodness and is delicious. Pumpkins will be plentiful this autumn; it could be eaten at lunch or in the evening, it is sure to warm you through the season.  It is high in fibre is free from dairy, nuts (provided you remove all seeds), eggs and wheat. It is easy to make and can be frozen. It serves 4.

Ingredients

1 medium pumpkin, de-seeded and chopped.
2 tbsp coconut oil, melted (or substituted by oil of preference)
½ tsp ground cinnamon
750ml vegetable stock
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 ½ tbsp curry powder
Coriander chopped to garnish
Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Reheat oven to 200 degrees centigrade.
2. Remove seeds from the pumpkin, chop into chunks and place on a lined baking tray.
3. Drizzle the coconut oil (or substitute) over the chunks, season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with cinnamon.
4. Using your fingers, massage the oil and spice into the pumpkin.
5. Roast for around 35 mins or until the orange flesh is easily pierced with a fork.
6. Place the pumpkin into a blender or liquidiser. Add the vegetable stock, lemon juice and curry powder and blend until smooth. Add water until the consistency is right.
7. Place in a medium sized saucepan and heat on the hob for a further 5 mins.
8. Serve and garnish with coriander and pumpkin seeds ( if liked).

October 7th

Falling?

A ripe rosy apple has fallen from the tree
It lies alone, glistening in the rain-soaked grass until
A small brown black slug slides across the skin looking for
A place to enter and spread the rot
Like the doubts and anxieties entering my thoughts to spread discontentment
Shall despair takes hold?
No!
I remove the slug
I wash the apple clean then
Like Eve I invite you to share it.

© Barbara Rolison, Kingdom Arts, 2020

Trees

Two images of my take on the autumn colours.

One: Colours on the tree…..

The other: A tree hand . . . with the leaves falling through . . .

can be a tree . . . or my hand trying to catch them . . . colours are vibrant reflecting God’s gifts of nature and colour and Glory.

Shefali

October 6th

The days are changing and the nights are drawing in. Autumn is here, all those gorgeous colours appearing on the trees as they change colour, those wonderful reds, golds and yellows. Our minds turn at this time of the year to Harvest. No Harvest suppers for us all this year, I am afraid! However this lovely very old Harvest Hymn came to mind as I was walking along today in the late burst of sunshine…

“All good gifts around us are sent from Heaven above, then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for all His Love ”

So we take Harvest as our theme this month and especially Psalm 65:6-13… a psalm that depicts a world alive with the Bounty and Glory of God.
Here we read about the abundant harvest that God provides and the psalmist is giving thanks to God for pouring out His Blessing on the Land.
This makes us think and be aware, even in the midst of our upside down world at the moment, that if we take a moment to look we can see the world around us is alive with the beauty and splendour of God. Do as the psalmist says at the end of the psalm, “shout and sing for joy”.

How about capturing something of this beauty and Glory in word, or music, or art using the glorious Autumn colours, or fruits, or vegetables?
Send them to us for our delight and encouragement. Make our October webpage a feast of colour and praise to God.

Sue and Alex.

If you want to see the earlier entries,
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for August
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for July
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for June

September 23rd

Unknowing Time

Window on the World

Exploring thoughts and new ideas moves us on . . .

Frances wrote:

I went to a virtual workshop with St Martin in the Fields, ‘Window on the World’ about disability and lockdown.

The advisor spoke about the different ways we view the world due to disability – for people who were lying in bed, those who experience sensory differences, who are neurodiverse, etc. Then a vicar showed us some photos that he had taken where the camera was either looking through objects, at windows to capture a reflection, or pointed at something at an unusual angle, or activities seen out of their windows – wildlife or the swaying of flowers and trees. Then we were asked to respond to the title ‘Window on the World’ in poetry, prose, video, photo. We had only 45 mins!! I was totally flummoxed!! So, I went into my spare room and I found a chess piece, some blue-tac, a stone with ‘wisdom’ engraved on it and some thread. Finally, there was 30 mins of ‘show and tell’.

The idea is that you finish your piece of work and then it is displayed in the church at an event of some sort about disability and lockdown. I can’t remember what or when exactly. Anyway, this is the ‘write-up’ I have sent to the St Martin in the Fields session leader about the video I made:-

The video shows us all in our own castles, leaning on wisdom whilst the world is spins. During lockdown, there have been times of darkness and light but also a sense of the beyond which has meant that we have all had a period of re-prioritising aspects of our lives. The video was taken with the camera looking into a mirror. The mirror reflects the castle and stone with wisdom engraved into it as well as the window. At times, you can see outside of the window.

“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.”
—Psalm 139:11-12

The video itself is in two halves. The second half is the reverse of the first half so, in effect, it is a reflection of what you have already seen. Both ends of the video are in darkness but, at the core, the light shines through and I resonate with its sheer strength and beauty. I downloaded a video editor during lockdown but I only started trying to learn what to do with it this week. I had no idea that it’s possible to rotate it, reverse it, etc. It’s mind-blowing!!

Frances.

Frances’ video:

September 21st

Two pieces of writing concerned with this month’s theme of New Beginnings.

Starting Afresh by Rosemary – Moving home and settling in.

Beginnings: Taste, Touch and See by Shefali – Thoughts from everyday happenings to the Creation.

Read these in the September Writing page

 September 15th

I am sure you realise that Kingdom Arts gatherings are currently cancelled, and it will be well into 2021 before we can even consider starting again. This, is of course a huge disappointment to us all. We do miss our times of worship, prayer, creating arty things and lunch with you and of course, the laughs along the way. However we will not despair as we have a God who watches over us, loves us, and promises us New Life in all its fullness, whatever we are experiencing.

Our theme for this new season is about New Beginnings. Each week we are experiencing new government restrictions that has an impact on our lives, new ways of meeting family, new ways of working, new ways of shopping, new ways of doing Church, we have to find new beginnings for so many things.

We can however, take heart with this lovely encouraging verse from Lamentations 3:22-23 that will give us encouragement, and Hope and Joy.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning: great is your faithfulness”

Maybe this will spark some creative writing or music or painting that will inspire you and which may speak to others. Please have a go as we love to receive your work. So many people comment on the variety when they look at our website. If you don’t feel like doing any creative things do drop us a line to assure us you are well.

With Love from all of us at Kingdom Arts.

Rosemary Orr has submitted two short pieces of writing

Conquest and God’s Garden

These can be found on the September Writing page

Some of us enjoy our music -listening, singing together and, sometimes, creating.

You made the heavens

A celebration of God’s world. Enjoy the photographs

September 8th

Hello Everyone. Today should be our first meeting of the new ‘season’, but it was not to be.

David New has continued to ponder the theme of creation from previous months and has called to mind trees from various periods of his life that have been significant for him:-

REMEMBERED TREES

Seven stately Ash
marked the path that ran
beyond the end
of my childhood garden.
Gentle southwest winds
rustling the branches
“had language for me.”

Pollarded willows
edged the banks
of the old mill stream
while we lazed
in the water-meadow field
with vetch and buttercup and buzzing bugs,
eating double-decker sandwiches.

Towering Elms
crowning the hill of
Beckenham golf course
with trunks too big to be hugged
even by us two boys.
Alas the nineteen sixties
swept them all away!

Golden pendules of Laburnum
overhung the pavement
from garden fronts
of suburban brick-box homes;
brightening up
the daily walk to school.

One big Chestnut tree
covered the corner
of the school playground.
Elegant white candles in the spring;
Abundant summer foliage;
And in the autumn,
Conkers galore.
Overwhelming generosity
from the Creator.
And all for fun!

Bright white slender trunks
mark the parking lots
for fossil-fuelled family cars.
But tiny dancing leaves
are no match
for the carbon-footprint need.
Yet still the white bark shines.

David New 2020

Do we have any budding artists out there who might like to illustrate David poem?

. . . or anyone with reminiscences of days gone by?

If you want to see the earlier entries,
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for July
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for June
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for May

Hello Everyone,

The holidays are here. Are you managing to get away somewhere or are you off visiting family and friends? It certainly feels a strange Summer this year. I do hope you can enjoy the sunshine and manage to get out a bit now the restrictions are lifted a little.

Sue and I are taking a break from sending you a theme for the month of August but we want to encourage you to take part in Sue’s challenge to us from last month. Look under “July Coronavirus Journal” and find the heading Psalm 133…..an Activity. Sue has given you ideas and descriptions on what to do so please have a go and send us a photo of the results. We’d love that.

We will contact you all again in September so have a lovely August with lots of space for creativity, family and friends and exploring more of God’s amazing creation.

We miss you and look forward to the time when we can be together again. We have no idea when things will get back to normal. Everything has changed beyond all recognition. However through it all we know that God is with us. May you know the depth of His love and His protection now and always.

A lovely passage from Isaiah 40 :26
“Look up at the sky! Who created the stars you see? The one who leads them out like an army, he knows how many there are and calls each one by name! His power is so great–not one of them is ever missing”

With our love,

Alex x and Sue x

August 19th

A collage from Frances

I have spent a long time on an allotment so there are lots of images of flowers.

I’ve added the apple to represent the fruit and veg’ we have grown.

The rice represents fleeting moments of motivation to cook and I have achieved more dishes in lockdown than previous significant durations of time indoors at home.

A bag of fruit tea for cold drinks – to represent the need for water in the heat we have experienced this summer. Grocery shopping has been interesting – queuing, social distancing and wearing masks.

The hair clips and band represent my sheer desire for a hair cut.

πr2 represents home schooling.

Welfare for Healthcare voluntary work to fundraise for the NHS.

The calligraphy pen represents 5 weeks of sitting down whilst my foot was healing, prior to and after lockdown began. The pen gave me hours of fun and I only bought it because we did some calligraphy at Kingdom Arts which was a super introduction to calligraphy.

I’ve also put ‘vocation’ down because I have spent a long time wondering about what to do with my career because things haven’t gone exactly according to the original plan – but I think the new plan is much better.

August 15th

A collage or ZOOM screen, based on recent times

by Helen

August 8th

Creative writing by Helen McNichol

Two pieces inspired by plants.
Click here to read >> August 2020 Writing

If you want to see the earlier entries,
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for June
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for May
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for April

On we go. Another month, another opportunity to do some of those jobs , or find excuses to ignore them . . .

Our journal continues, hopefully with more examples of people’s creativity – craft, painting, written word, and hobbies. Some directly connected to worship, others just giving important time to reflect on life today and God’s part in it.

July 28th

• Prayer
• High Street Antics
• Returning to Worcester Cathedral, open for prayer in Lockdown.

Three short pieces of writing from Rosemary Orr.

Click here to read >> July 2020 Writing

July 19th

Everyone Matters

The first piece of creative writing for this month. A powerful reflection on the attitudes of societies around the globe and a plea for friendship and tolerance.

Click here to read >> July 2020 Writing

July 14th

The Kingdom Arts ‘Choir’ debut

The idea was to create our own sung version of the Lord’s Prayer.

After much ‘encouragement’, we found a band of ‘willing’ volunteers –

“I can’t sing”;
“I can’t cope with technology”;
“Ooo, I don’t think I can”;
. . .

Here’s the result. Judge for yourselves:

July 13th 

A message from Alex and Sue

Hello to you all,

It’s difficult to believe that it’s 4 months since we last met as a group in Church. We trust you are all keeping well and maybe venturing out a little or even seeing family and friends… at a distance! We will continue to keep you in touch about when we can begin Kingdom Arts again… It may be some time before we get all the rules and safe guarding measures in place.

We often think of you and wonder what creative activities or projects you may be embarking on. Maybe some of you have been doing some sewing, or patchwork and others of you leaving out a long unfinished jigsaw on the table to put pieces in place as you pass by. It is very satisfying to find the correct piece that fits together or the patchwork shape that fits perfectly in place.

Think about all the news that we have been watching about the riots in Hong Kong and USA and the Black Lives Matter campaigns … What the world would look like if we cared properly for one another, respected one another, loved one another irrespective of race, creed, background, education……where Everyone Matters . If only we could fit together like a piece of patchwork or a piece of a jigsaw, just as God intended!

Psalm 133 came to mind…

How very good and pleasant it is when people live together in unity

Wow! That’s the theme for July!
Read the psalm and get your creative juices flowing.

With love to you and hope to see you soon,
Love Alex and Sue x

Psalm 133 – An Activity

Sue has had an idea to do with the theme, to kick start an individual project for you try… send it in for us to see….. Have fun!

Lockdown has given us all time to think and reflect upon the value of maintaining unity within the family, and with friends. We have been confined to our ‘boxes’ like a ZOOM screen. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could represent our thoughts and ideas in a ZOOM picture?

This activity brought into focus the loss of physically meeting up with friends and family, though technology has brought us all together in ways we could never have imagined years ago.

Our spiritual community has taken a knock but with love and hope we will break out of the confines we have endured and reunite with renewed conviction.

You decide how you want to portray the psalm and what has been significant for you during lockdown. You may want to focus and reflect on your personal experiences in the last four months, or represent the wider aspects of community worldwide and the huge problems faced by humanity.

There are no rules. The interpretation is yours. The choice of materials is yours. This is just a starting point for you to try. It would be great to see your results on our website.

SUGGESTIONS:
1. Find a piece of strong paper or card of a size you can cope with.
2. Colour the card randomly, or use a plain favourite colour, to make a background.

3. Cut out some plain pieces of paper. I cut 15 pieces about 10cm x 7cm.
4. Draw on or decorate each rectangle with an image that is significant to you that somehow reflects unity in this strange time of lockdown.

5. You could collect objects or use photos and found images, or add text.
6. Arrange your pieces as a ZOOM screen.

7. If your background is interesting you could leave some gaps to allow it to show through.
8. Have fun cutting and sticking!

July 7th

July 3rd

My Favourite Loaf

by John Butler

The perfect complement to Jan’s wonderful soups is of course bread. My own personal favourite, which I bake most weeks, is seeded half & half.
This is a tasty light loaf which is not too filling. The ingredients below are sufficient to make two small (400g) loaves or one large (800g) loaf.

Ingredients
300g strong wholemeal bread flour
250g strong white bread flour
7g table salt
1 tbsp (10g) olive oil
7g dried fast action yeast
350ml lukewarm water
Half a cup of sunflower seeds

Method
In the past I have occasionally started to bake only to find I am short of an item or two. So now I always gather everything I need together first.

Place a large mixing bowl on your scales and add the flour. Now add the salt and yeast on opposite sides of the bowl.

Now start to mix the ingredients, into a dough, using a clawing action while adding the oil and then water slowly as you mix. (you may not use all the water). I tend to use a mixer with a dough hook as this part gets a little sticky (understatement) until the mixture begins to bond.

When it begins to combine tip onto a lightly dusted (flour) surface and knead, by stretching and folding in, for around 5 mins (I find this the fun part). You should end up with a tight ball of dough.

Place in a large oiled bowl and cover with a damp tea-towel.
Leave to rise in a warm room for about an hour or until doubled in size. Well-oil your bread tin(s) or pay the consequences!
Once again tip out onto a lightly dusted surface and ‘knock back’ until all the air is out. Sprinkle seeds on the dough and fold together.

You can now either split into two, as I have, or shape to suit your bread-tin. Place into your tin(s) seam down and cover with damp tea-towel.

Leave to rise. This depends on the room temperature but don’t rush, it will take at least 45mins, have a cup of tea.
It should now be about 1 in above the tin.

Uncover and place in a pre-heated oven at 220 degrees C or 200 degrees C (fan) for 30/35 mins or 35/40 mins for a large loaf.

Now the important part, especially if you are a man! Set your phone alarm. Experience tells me that I get distracted on some other task and forget. Unless of course you are fond of crusty bread! Oh, and take the phone with you.

Remove from oven and place on cooling rack, enjoy the smell, get the butter ready!

I love experimenting with other flours, seeds etc.

It’s a great activity if you have grandchildren – add different flavours and try creating shapes. Be bold – enjoy!

See you all soon – John

We do not know when our next meeting will be,
so our journal continues . . .

If you want to see the earlier entries,
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for May
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for April

June 24th

Two pieces of writing to stimulate:-

A trip to the tip

A trip to the trip is not the most inspiring of pastimes.

Well, I’ve never thought so before, but take a look at Shefali’s thoughts on that very topic.
Click here >> June 2020 Writing

Ordinary time

Some churches call the period after Pentecost ‘Ordinary Time’.
Helen has thoughts on this. Click on ‘June 2020 Writing’ above.

June 18th

Music: The Lord’s Prayer

There are many versions of The Lord’s Prayer, and we probably don’t need another one. However, at my church shortly before lockdown, we had a series of services looking closely at this prayer; and band members attempted to produce their own versions. They were very different to each other.

Here is my effort, complete with lyrics so you can sing along:

At the moment, this is an instrumental version. We would like to turn it into a sung version. If you would like to be part of this, all you need to do is use a smartphone to video your performance. Then, if you send it to us, we will combine all the videos into a ‘virtual choir’ and post it in this journal.

Deadline: July 12th

For more instructions go to the ‘music’ area.
Click here >> Kingdom Arts Choir

June 17th

A beautiful wire sculpture

This picture is symbolic of a tree with its roots growing round the rock…… each branch represents new growth , HOPE  that something in our lives can produce possibilities and praise…… that God can transplant us into better soil of life to enable us chances to grow and reflect his creative love.

This tree was created for me by someone whose life was completely broken….. and in the support….. leaning on my song that was planted like a seed into their life….. Unknown to me they produced this ………

God says we will be like trees planted by the rivers where we can still flourish when there comes time of drought…… plant your seeds of songs of praise into the soil of others…… it will help them to also find life….and perhaps build their lives with roots that are set upon The Rock……. Jesus….. I am thankful.

June 12th

Creation

We hear the words:
Keep your distance, keep your distance.
But our Triune God is saying,
“Come Closer, Come Closer”. . . .

Helen’s words are inspired by the words of Psalm 104 and the current situation we find in our lands. To read the whole poem, have a look at this month’s creative writing.
Click here >> June 2020 Writing

June 11th

A couple of photos related to Psalm 104 and our current position.

The other day, I visited Bredon Tithe Barn. There has been a building there since 670 AD to store the wheat to support the local village through winter. This barn was built in the 13th century when the Bishops of Worcester owned the land. The door, of I think solid oak is now over seven hundred years old, and has kept the wind and the rain from the precious wheat and barley stored inside.
The half open door reminded me of the semi lockdown position we are currently in. The oak door protecting us from the virus outside but now semi open so we can look out to see the beauties of creation, and see how God’s light can still shine to reflect his Glory in our lives.
The window was in the room above where the Reeve (or steward) managed the collection of the harvest and collected the rent from the peasants farming the land. Again the light of God shines through.

Jan Butterworth

Psalm 23v4

‘Even though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for your rod and staff comfort me.’

When there’s
Incessant irritation, incurable illness, or isolation, when
Nights of nonsensical notions nudge and seem never-ending, we
Tire and tread the tumult with thundering terror, as if
Obligated.

But
Tending a new timely thought can become a turning point.
Heavens help and honesty, heaves humanity out of hell. There is an
Encourager, an essential eternal energy which eases the effort, by exposing and excluding evil.

Listening to this light, our life can be full of love.
Inward instinct identifies with this illumination. We
Glimpse glory, grasp a germ seed of grace and grow. In my
Heart, I hope for this harmony throughout humankind where
Triumph over tumult is touched like treasure and trusted as truth.

Frances

June 9th

Despite all that we don’t understand, we have a God who cares for us, loves us and wants to protect and look after us. In the midst of the sadness, fear, anxiety and the unknown, praising God is a way of keeping negative thoughts away!

Jan’s soups for this month

We may not be able to meet today, but that’s no reason we can’t have our lunchtime meal of soup, bread and cheese, followed by homemade cake.

If you have the ingredients to hand, you could even make one of Jan’s delicious soups – and, if you haven’t, you can always experiment!

Balsamic Roast Tomato Soup

This delicious soup is high in fibre and vitamins and is low in salt It is free from wheat , eggs, nuts and  dairy, (if not using the topping). It is easy to make and can also be frozen. It serves 5.

Ingredients

400g of sweet tomatoes, halved; 1 yellow pepper, chopped; 1 tbsp rapeseed oil; 1 tbsp balsamic dressing/glaze; 1 clove garlic, chopped; 1 red onion, chopped; 1 carrot, chopped; 1 reduced salt vegetable stock cube, made up to 600ml;  1 tsp chopped parsley; 2 tsps chopped chives; 1 tbsp chopped basil; 30ml/ 2 tbsp red wine vinegar; Ground black pepper to taste.

Method

1. Pre heat the oven to 200c /180c fan/gas 6.
2. Toss the tomatoes and pepper with half the oil in a roasting tin. Roast for 20 mins, then drizzle over the balsamic dressing and cook for a further 10 mins.
3. Heat the rest of the oil in a large pan and fry the onion, garlic and carrot over a low heat for 5 mins.
4. Add the stock, bring to a simmer and cook for 10 mins, or until the carrot is tender.
5. Add the tomato halves and the yellow pepper to the pan and cook for 5 mins.
6. Season, to taste, blend using hand held blender or liquidiser.
7. In a bowl stir all the chopped herbs into the ricotta and whisk together
To serve, reheat the soup and top each bowl with the herby ricotta, if using.

Cream of Celeriac and Spinach Soup

This soup is free from wheat, dairy, shellfish, eggs and soya and is high in fibre.  Celeriac has a wonderful flavour that is reminiscent of celery but also has a slightly nutty taste. It serves 6 people.

Ingredients

1 leek; 500g celeriac; 1 litre/1.75 pints water; 250 ml dry white wine; 200g fresh spinach leaves; Semi skimmed milk (optional); 25g pine nuts.

Method

1. Trim and slit the leek. Rinse it under running water to remove any grit and then slice it thickly.
2. Peel the celeriac and dice the flesh.
3. Place the leek and celeriac, with the spinach, in a deep saucepan. Add the water and the wine. Bring to the boil, lower the heat and simmer for 10-15 mins or until soft.
4. Puree the celeriac mixture in a blender or food processor. Return this to the saucepan and season to taste with salt, pepper and nutmeg.  If the soup is too thick, thin it with a little semi skimmed milk or water, as your diet demands. If freezing do so once cooled.
5. To serve, reheat the soup gently. Roast the pine nuts in a dry non stick frying pan until golden. Serve the soup bowls sprinkled with the pine nuts (optional).

June 5th

The Temple of Jerusalem.

June 1st

We begin the month with a piece of writing inspired by Psalm 104.

‘God’s World’ by Barbara Rolison can be found on the Creative Writing page for June.

Click here >> June 2020 Writing

Scarlett Hemming provides us with a ‘Thought for the Day’
Reflections on gardening at this time. You can read this on the creative writing page for this month.
Click ‘June 2020 Writing’ above.

During these strange times when normal interaction is not possible, some people are still thinking, writing, drawing, composing, painting, etc.
We have decided to keep an informal occasional ‘journal’ showing that our worship, prayer and inspiration does not stop just because our monthly meetings have.

We do not know when our next meeting will be.
However, this journal is growing!
You will find all the May entries below.

If you want to see the April entries,
click here >> Coronavirus Journal for April

May 16th

Scarlett writes: I  attend St Stephen’s as well as St George’s and in their weekly newsletter entitled ‘Something Different’ I wrote my own version of Psalm 23 appertaining to the times we are living in. It is meant to come across as an epistle of hope.

To read Scarlett’s Covid-19 version of Psalm 23, visit our Creative Writing pages. Click here >> May 2020 Writing

May 15th

Next, we have a craft idea to illustrate the theme of a church service entitled ‘ The difference that Easter really makes ‘

The reading was from the Gospel of John. Ch.20 v 19:23. The appearance of Jesus to the disciples, who were locked in a room, in fear.

PRESENCE: Jesus was present with the disciples, it changed the reality. We /they are not alone.

PEACE: Jesus said, ‘ Peace be with you ‘ He spoke peace into their fear. This peace is true and eternal and moves us beyond our situation into a personal peace.

PURPOSE: ‘ As the Father sent me, so I send you ‘ The nature of the church is a community sent out in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Presence, Peace, Purpose: The difference that Easter really makes.

Margaret Stokes.
(inspired by watching a Church Service in Peckham, London on the Sunday after Easter)

May 14th

These face mask adapters were made  for carers and district nurses  to stop the elastic rubbing their ears.  Lyn Crowther

See May 9th (below) for plans to make your own mask.

May 13th

Helen McNicholl has sent us a piece of creative writing entitled
‘Pentecostal Flames 2020‘.

Some key words are:
NOURISH, CHANGE, RECHARGING, HOLY, PRAY, RELEASING.

To read Helen’s contribution, visit our Creative Writing pages.
Click here >> May 2020 Writing

May 12th

The Reverend Sarah Northall of St Wulstan’s Parish in Warndon visited our meetings on a couple of occasions. See has seen our website and has sent us a link to one of her own reflections (no pun intended) called ‘Streams of Prayer.

It lasts about 10 minutes and you may find it both restful and rewarding.

Click here to visit her YouTube channel >> Streams of prayer

May 9th

Ways of Helping one another by using our creative skills in these difficult times: Make a face mask for yourself or a friend

COMPETITION  who can make  the most creative/colourful/ interesting Kingdom Arts Mask?  Send us photos.

Making a face mask

These masks have been made from materials you may well have in your home:-

1. Materials: outside fabric, lining fabric, metal strip (if available), tape to cover metal strip, (not shown: elastic or tape)
2. Cover metal strips (if you have them). These are fixed across the bridge of the nose so that the wearer can shape the mask to fit closely against the nose
3. Cut out pieces. The fabric is folded so every cutout will produce two pieces

4. This picture shows the pieces cut out for two masks, one large and one smaller, with double fabric layers
5. Stitch centre front seam
6. Attach strip (if you have it) to nose of outer fabric

7. Stitch two layers together, top and bottom
8. Snip curves
9. Turn through, fold in raw edges and press

10. Stitch tape or elastic in middle of edge, fold over and stitch down edge.

If you want, you can leave a slot between the two layers of fabric to insert a renewable filter.

You can probably obtain suitable materials for filters on-line, although we have heard that some everyday materials might work quite well – we are not experts and you would need to check out the effectiveness of such home-made filters from an expert source.

As a serious hobbyist, I always collect bits and pieces that might be useful. The metal strips I used were saved from some old used face masks  for use in dusty conditions(I think I got them from Halfords originally).  If necessary, leave the metal strips out. The masks just won’t fit around the nose so well.
Vikki Moore.

Exodus 35:35
He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.

Click here to download pattern > >  Mask Pattern

When you print out the pattern, it has to be the correct size. There is a 5cm line printed at the bottom of the page – measure it and check it is really 5cm long.

May 2nd

 Then and Now

© Helen McNichol

May 1st

Our creative Talents are being put to good use!

Facebook: WorcestershireForTheLoveOfScrubs

Two pieces of creative writing from Frances

Frances has contributed two pieces of writing, which are quite lengthy. Extracts are shown below. However, you can read the full text on the Creative Writing page:

click here >> May 2020 Writing

I Broke the Rules       (a rap)

I’m stuck in a gender twisted society.
But I need to break free.
If scripture was open to me,
I’d sing, “Let me sit at Divine feet
because God’s Word edifies me.”
I must wait ‘til a man reads it to me,
And interprets the Word thoughtfully
through the lens of masculinity.
Naturally, I just sit an’ listen,
silently . . . 

Praying from a Dusty Floor

My son, Jesus, was executed in a brutal act between religious leaders and the government. The horrors I saw were still vivid in my memory on the day I met the disciples. I hadn’t been able to sleep for days. My jaw and neck muscles were tight and sore with the pain of grief but when we prayed together, even the memories that engulfed me in terror faded along with my worries about the future. The fact that we had all managed to meet there, without being caught and strung up in front of some unofficial council, didn’t seem to be a co-incidence . . .

Click here to see >> Coronavirus Journal for April