Walton, New York
2022
To foster ecumenical connections among twelve churches by participating in the creation of pottery to form the faith of worshipers as the theological imagery of God as the potter whose hands continue to mold and reform is carried into the worship of each church and into ecumenical worship gatherings.
Summarize your grant project and how it will address a need in your worshiping community.
To foster ecumenical connections among 13 churches by participating in the creation of pottery to form the faith of worshipers as the theological imagery of God as the potter whose hands continue to mold and reform is carried into the worship of each church and into ecumenical worship gatherings. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel." (Jeremiah 18:6b)
What two questions might you ask about worship in the coming year that will generate theological reflection and shape your project?
How will the regular worship of the churches that are part of the Walton Ministerial Association be deepened by members' participation in creating pottery?
How will the pastors in this group be encouraged and equipped to make connections to the gathered worship of their communities?
How will your project impact the worship life and habits of the congregation?
The art-making process invites people to cross many boundaries in age, generation, language, education, theology, and socio-economic status. Besides the ecumenical effort to bring many church traditions, one of the many boundaries crossing the project hopes to establish is to provide a social environment for people with disabilities and church people together doing the same ceramic art projects in collaboration. This is a worship moment when all God's children can play and accept one another and value each as God's creation. Hospitality can be practiced as well as great thanksgiving can be shared for God's creation, salvation, and many gifts.
What might be your greatest challenges (or challenging opportunities)?
COVID-19 has and still continues to challenge the gathering aspects of the people in public places. This project is a brand new activity in town. It needs a good promotion and social networking publicity to go with it. The greatest challenge is in the inertia of rolling the program stone in the first place.
What do you hope to learn from the Grants Event and other grant recipients?
This is my first opportunity in focusing visual arts on vital worship grants. I hope to learn from other grant recipients with a similar focus on how they have invited the community to actively engage in the process. And I also desire to learn how to sustain the program after the grant year has finished.