Toronto, Ontario
2020
To invite people into the biblical story and exploration of the seasons of the liturgical year by collaborating on a permanent artwork for worship.
Provide a brief summary of the purpose and goal of your grant.
The Seasons of Being project celebrates colour and diversity through art in worship. Our goal is to foster continued learning and exploration of the liturgical church year and enrich worship by deepening our congregation’s understanding of the liturgical year through colour. Through the creation of at-home art kits and a permanent artwork installed in the sanctuary, we will encourage reflection and new ways of worship with a focus on the colours of the liturgical calendar.
What are two questions that have generated reflection on worship and helped shape your project?
- How can colour serve as a powerful reminder as well as enhance our experience of the seasons of our worship year?
- How has this journey into the liturgical calendar helped you to reflect or respond in new ways?
What impact has your project had on the worship life and habits of the congregation?
The COVID Pandemic forced us to pivot from in-person workshops with large-scale art materials to the creation of mini Seasons of Being art kits for each household. This initiative served as an act of unity for the congregation by bringing shared worship elements to each home and inviting liturgical home activities and “playfulness” for all ages. The massive collective effort to organize and deliver the kits also allowed a personal (but distanced) connection which everyone enjoyed.
What have been your greatest challenges (or challenging opportunities)?
The rethinking of our community learning interaction through the design, creation, and distribution of kits was the biggest challenge in the project in terms of effort and logistics. However, this may have been the biggest success of the project in how they were received and continue to be used for home worship and learning. We wonder if our online workshops reduced the impact of the learning and participation of kids.
What would you like to share with other Project Directors?
- Establish a schedule and pace yourself. Consider that you may need recovery and reflection time between deadlines or events. Keep a weekly standing meeting to stay on track.
- Share the load. Seek out others with similar interests and bring them into the project. In this case, having two Co-Directors was beneficial to exchange ideas and make decisions.
- Manage your expectations. Be open to how the interest and participation of others will shape the project direction and what is accomplished.
