Thursday, May 11, 2017

Visual Faith Gathering- Northern Virginia

FaithArt 101was held
 on Saturday, May 6, 2017
 at New Hope Church in Lorton, Virginia.
65 women of all ages gathered to worship, 
learn about Visual Faith, and explore the topic of TRUST.

Director of Women's ministry - Karenna Rowenhorst 
and her retreat team did an awesome job 
of inviting area churches
 and welcoming all attendees.
I was blessed to present 
with artist Diane Marra-
who has mentored me
 in Visual Faith practices for the last nine years.
An opening devotion of Proverbs 3:1-8
shaped the framework for our day.
The morning was an overview 
of Keep the Faith and Visual Faith projects like:
Prayers for my Children, 
Counting Gifts and Prayers by the Month journals.
We then explored prayer roadblocks, 
Secret Code prayers, 
and praying Scripture.
Visual and Kinesthetic?
The makes sense for how many of us-
 connect and process.
New Hope sponsors 
her ministries for women:
honoring, equipping and rejoicing.
There was a Show and Tell 
table for sharing ideas.
A display table of Bible Verse Coloring books
 let you look through them 
and find one that would best suit you!
Then take a photo to remember 
the cover and author and order online.
There was also a table filled 
with resources for purchase
 from some of our favorite 
Visual Faith authors and practitioners:
 Lisa Hickman, 
Sybil MacBeth,
Shannon Noel, 
and Joanne Fink and Regina Yoder.
There were also some great door prizes
 and even a Journaling Bible give away. 
After a wonderful lunch and conversation, 
it was time to get messy  and dive
 into a study on TRUST-
led by Diane.
A flat canvas gave us a place for hidden journaling
 that was then covered with papers to collage.
  Once again - Proverbs 3:5-6.
TRUSTING- to spill our fears 
and say it all right there on the canvas.
 TRUSTING-
 when we can't see where we are going.
TRUSTING-
 when we are rushed 
and can't plan things out to perfection.
TRUSTING-
when we have never done this thing before.
TRUSTING-
that our Lord has "got this"-
 with the covered- up mess 
 on our canvas.
TRUSTING-
that my walk will look like no one else's-
and that's BEAUTIFUL.
Always something new to learn-
the Greek batach- means to hide for refuge.
Loving that image.
And maybe we will just be reminded
 that God wants us to live a more careless life-
that is- one without fear and no worry.
Not a bad take-away
 from our one day retreat.

A special thank you to all 
who took the time in busy schedules
 to live this one day TOGETHER.


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