Journal

Series: Arts and Formation

“Being Beloved and to Be the Beloved”

“Being Beloved and to Be the Beloved”

In this “Space for God: Beauty” devotional, Rev. Chris Lugo (Coracle Community Minister) guides us through a number of artistic reflections on what it means to be beloved and to see ourselves that way.  He draws upon 1 John 4’s depiction of God as love and...
“Holy Week Visio Divina”

“Holy Week Visio Divina”

In this “Space for God: Lent” devotional, Rev. Mary Gardner (Coracle Spiritual Director) guides us into a practice of Visio Divina, or “holy seeing,” focused on the events of Holy Week.  She invites us to attend to diverse artistic depictions...
“Art Break: The Railway” with Jan Haugen

“Art Break: The Railway” with Jan Haugen

In this “Space for God: Beauty” devotional, art historian Jan Haugen invites us to reflect upon a particular work of art: The Railway by Edouard Manet (1873).  Through this work, Jan unfolds some of the distinctive elements of impressionist art and helps us to become...
“The Good Shepherd”

“The Good Shepherd”

In this “Space for God: Beauty” devotional, Scott Buresh (Coracle Community Minister) guides us in a visio divina exercise on Psalm 23 using “The Good Shepherd,” a painting by Henry Ossawa Tanner. He also offers us a short introduction to...
“Jesus in the Face of Another”

“Jesus in the Face of Another”

In this first-ever “Space for God: Thursday,” Rev. Bill Haley revisits one of his favorite topics—the profound way in which we can encounter Jesus through encountering and attending to those who bear his image.  He draws on poetry, scripture, and a...
Vocation and the Art of Being Church

Vocation and the Art of Being Church

“That is the best thing I have ever seen come out of Christianity.” Those words were the gut response of a young adult artist, typically uninspired by Christianity, who upon entering a home witnessed a group of people rehearsing Gregorian chants for a church service....
“Art Break: Titian” with Jan Haugen

“Art Break: Titian” with Jan Haugen

In this “Space for God: Beauty” devotional, we welcome back Jan Haugen (Smithsonian National Gallery) for another “Art Break”—this time looking at a 16th Century Italian painting by Titian.  Jan guides us into the beauty and subtlety of the portrait of 12-yr-old...
Psalm 23 & Henry Ossawa Tanner

Psalm 23 & Henry Ossawa Tanner

In this “Space for God: Beauty” devotional, Scott Buresh (Coracle Community Minister) guides us into an encounter with an artistic interpretation of Psalm 23 by African-American painter Henry Ossawa Tanner.  Scott first offers space for imaginative prayer with both...
“Beauty in the Ordinary”

“Beauty in the Ordinary”

In this “Space for God: Beauty,” Ken Wettig (Coracle Community Minister to the Shenandoah Valley) guides us into a reflection on the beauty that exists all around us if we have eyes to see it.  He frames his session around the story of the Prodigal Son,...
“We are God’s Poetry”

“We are God’s Poetry”

In this “Space for God: BIBLE,” Kristy Wallace (Dir of Repentance Project) guides us through Ephesians 2:4-10, where the Apostle Paul refers to us as God’s workmanship/masterpiece/poiema. Kristy highlights this image and helps us create simple poems...
“Everyday Beauty”

“Everyday Beauty”

In this “Space for God: Beauty,” Rev. Mary Gardner (Coracle Spiritual Director) invites us to consider how God speaks to us through encounters with everyday beauty. Drawing together visual art, photography, music, and Scripture, Mary guides us into a rich time of...