Jane R. Dickie, Reconciliation Ministry Member
Have you noticed the new painting on the south wall of the Gathering Area? Have you looked at it from a distance? Have you looked at it close up? As with all original art, it invites us in to explore what is in front of us and what is within us. And best of all, this painting is ours, it belongs to Hope Church. Here’s the story:
The weekend of October 24-26, 2013 at Central Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Room for All (RfA) held its biennial national conference, Making Room for All 2013. (RfA is the organization that Hope Church is affiliated with which seeks to support, educate and advocate for the welcome and full affirmation of people of all sexual identities and gender expressions in the Reformed Church in America.) At this conference, nationally known artist, Joel Schoon Tanis, led a hands-on “Responding through the Arts” workshop where participants created their own expressive reactions to the things they were seeing and learning at the conference. Some people wrote poetry, quoted scriptures, or created paintings that expressed themes. Working late into the night, Joel skillfully took all of these fragments and wove together the beautiful artistic work you see pictured above.
When the conference was over, the painting was put up for auction on the Room for All website. With generous contributions by Hope Church members, and continuing attention to the bidding, Hope Church won the painting!
Pause to look at the painting. Imagine those at the conference moved to write the words you see. If you have an opportunity, watch the five minute video summary of the conference including worship, keynote speakers and music. Then look at the painting. See if you can imagine the inspiration for the artistic expression before you:
Christ breaks down walls
I will change your name —
You will no longer be called
wounded,
outcast,
lonely,
afraid.
Your new name will be
Child of mine,
Treasured,
Friend of God
Beloved
I belong body and soul
This child of God is now received
engaged to confess the faith of Christ
LOVE ENDURES
Arms to embrace
Welcome in our diversity
As God Made Us
The next time you are in the Gathering Area, I hope you will take time and imagine yourself fully embraced, totally loved, at home in Hope Church that has Room for All.
You can purchase a print or gallery-type canvas of the original painting and a variety of other products through Lake Effect Digital Imaging in Holland. The catalog and price list are available on the RfA website, but orders can only be placed by calling Vicki at Lake Effect, (616) 928-0250 or vicki@lakeeffectdigital.com. Thanks to Joel Schoon-Tanis, these products will be available at artist’s discount prices, with no mark-up or proceeds to RfA.