When I was a child, I loved working on art projects and refinishing furniture with my mother. Mom and I created all kinds of art together. Although I never went to art museums while growing up, I give thanks to my mom for developing my love of beauty in the world. The projects may have been small, but they brought joy to others. I believe that is what art does - it brings joy and deeper meaning into the mystery of our faith. When I was completing my Masters Degree in Practical Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary, I had to produce a final project of art for one of my elective classes, Worship and the Arts. As a musician, I thought about planning a hymn festival, since that was something I had done many times. I decided instead that I should stretch myself and create an art piece. I knew immediately what I was going to do. I would fold a thousand origami cranes out of red, yellow, and orange paper and hang them on a white dove-shaped wooden frame to suspend over the chancel on Pentecost Sunday. I began folding origami cranes and praying for people while I folded them. When the time came to present my project to the class, I folded a crane for each of my classmates with a written prayer on the inside of the origami paper. I now find myself in the midst of virtual church folding origami cranes and praying for the vulnerable people in our world who have been affected by Covid-19 and also for us, FPC members, friends, and staff who are separated and isolated in these days of shelter in place. As a new staff member I am very sad not to have been in community for Holy Week and Easter, one of my favorite liturgical weeks in the life of the church. So, as I continue to fold these cranes, know that I am lifting each of you in prayer as we live in this new (though hopefully temporary) “normal.” May the peace and comfort of Christ be with you. Dave VanderMeer
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