From “Photography as a Christian Contemplative Practice Eyes of the Heart Christine Valters Paintener
“Mythologist and storyteller Michael Meade says the word “moment” comes from the Latin root which means to move. We are moved when we touch the eternal and timeless. There is a sense of spaciousness in moments. We linger and feel lifted above the daily concerns of chronos time and dwell in kairos time. Kairos refers to the fullness of a given moment, a moment when something special happens, something unexpected.
To capture these moments, find a means of personal expression. We are suggesting photography, haiku or drawing (painting) but we don’t want to limit it to that. Please submit your creations to Catherine by email or at the church through March
- Photography – Pick some of the days on this page – https://news.churchsp.org/40-days-of-lenten-photos/ that are meaningful below and snap a photo. .. Send Catherine (stpetersrev@gmail.com) your name, the photo and the phrase, 2 Describe why it is meaningful. We will put them on the website to start
You may have many photos to share or even just one. All are valuable
- Writing Haiku – 17 syllables over 3 lines. Haiku originated as an opening part of a larger Japanese poem called “renga” , meaning “linked poem” which goes back to the 1300’s. The attraction of Haiku is that it gets you writing something personal – because its you!
There are standards:
- There are no more than 17 syllables.
- Haiku is composed of only 3 lines.
Some examples for Lent by Roger Lynn. Try your hand at it! Send Catherine (stpetersrev@gmail.com) your name, and your haiku
#1
the world weighs heavy
our brokenness wearies us
and yet God is here
#2
shadows threaten us
darkness presses on all sides
God’s light continues
#3
we hunger and thirst
longing to be satisfied
abundance is here
#4
life comes as a gift
whether we notice or not
it’s time to rejoice
- Coloring – Coloring Mandalas
The word mandala means “container of sacred essence” in Sanskrit. It originated as a spiritual practice in the 6th century BC out of the Hindu and Buddhist religions, but is now used by many others, including Christians.
A mandala is a complex, symmetrical or asymmetrical ornament that represents a microcosm of the entire universe. The basic form of most mandalas is a circle in which are depicted symbolic gates of the cosmos. Mandalas are commonly used as an aid to meditation and as an advanced anti-stress therapy. Each mandala is different and unique.
One is to find a template with a design (a coloring page) and color it in. You can find some here http://www.coloringcastle.com/mandala_coloring_pages03.html. Here is a page with a collection of mandalas that are fee- https://www.thebalance.com/free-mandala-coloring-pages-4027232 .Or you can start with your own circle and create your prayer space
Generally you color as you are involved in prayer. Read this scripture Isaiah 49:13–16a “ Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth…” Then begin to color. Let yourself converse with God as you color. Think about the scripture you read. Reflect on your life and your hopes for the future. Don’t worry if you can’t finish the mandala in one sitting. Simply enjoy this time of peacefulness with God. When you are through coloring, think about the time you spent with God. What did you notice about God? Did you feel God’s love for you? What did you learn about yourself?
- A drawing or other form of art that is meaningful in terms of Lent. What to draw ? Consider the items in #1, Photography above or look at these Lenten elements
Spring Elements: Seeds, Earth, Water, Sand, Stone, Wood (to be used with the Lenten Candle Lighting Liturgy, Year A),
Water: Advent and Lent were both seasons to prepare for baptism and new life. Think of all the Biblical lessons involving water: Creation, The Flood, The Jordan River, Crossing the Red Sea, Water from the Rock, The Woman at the Well, Washing the Disciples Feet, Walking on the Water, Calming of the Sea, etc.
Spiritual Practices: Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving, Meditation, Solitude, and Pilgrimage—focusing on the many different forms of Christian spiritual disciplines that are found in the Bible.
Wilderness and Wandering: As Lent is often seen as a reflection of Jesus’ journey into the wilderness for forty days, one can begin with Jesus in the wilderness,
- Another approach is a regular study of art without doing it. . Here is a site “Journey through Lent with Art.
- Musical compositions reflecting Lenten themes – repentance and renewal, mercy, compassion, prayer, the journey during Lent, the cross – and many others. One example is “Jesus Met the Woman at the Well”, a traditional Gospel tune popularized by Peter Paul and Mary.
https://faith.nd.edu/s/1210/faith/interior.aspx?sid=1210&gid=609&pgid=39423