EXPRESSION
We were made for Expression. Inside each of us is a profound lure towards the act of creation. As God created order out of chaos in the book of Genesis, we are capable of creation. Through the literary arts, visual and performing arts, and multiple languages of expression, we make meaning in our world, for others, and for ourselves. The cosmos was created by God with a word. What “word” would you speak into the world?
Prayerful Art Retreat
Rev. Ashely Isernhagen, pastor at St. James UMC, is scheduled to lead a prayerful art retreat on April 29 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Utilizing weaving as one of the oldest techniques in textiles we will be guided through story, scripture, and meditation on how God is speaking with us today. To register for this event, click here. For more information, contact Teresa Harris at harristt@jmu.edu . There is a materials fee of $20. Donations to fund future retreats are welcome.
The Crossing Choir
Choral singing has been one of the casualties of the pandemic, at least to this point. The Crossing Choir (https://www.crossingchoir.org/) is a professional chamber choir conducted by Donald Nally and dedicated to new music. It is committed to working with creative teams to make and record new, substantial works for choir that explore and expand ways of writing for choir, singing in choir, and listening to music for choir. Many of its nearly 110 commissioned premieres address social, environmental, and political issues. When COVID-19 hit, they began to share recordings of their music on a regular basis.
Earth, Teach Me
"Earth Teach Me Quiet," a piece written by Eriks Esenvalds, is based on a Ute poem. Enter into this beautiful choral piece (click here) as you reflect on the words of the poem:
Earth, Teach Me
Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light.
Earth teach me suffering ` as the old stones suffer with memory.
Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young.
Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone.
Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground.
Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky.
Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die fall each year.
Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life.
Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain.
Praying in Color
Why pray in color?
1) You want to pray but words escape you.
2) Sitting still and staying focused in prayer are a challenge.
3) Your body wants to be part of your prayer.
4) You want to just hang out with God but don’t know how.
5) Listening to God feels like an impossible task .
6) Your mind wanders and your body complains.
7) You want a visual, concrete way to pray.
8) You need a new way to pray.
Supporting Prayers
for Ukraine
As we continue to lift up all those people who are affected by the war in Ukraine, we invite you to participate in Centering Space’s expression stations. These stations are set up to offer multiple opportunities to express our deepest longings and concerns for all those who are affected by the current war in Ukraine.
