What is Christian Arts?

A celebration of God’s written word through the use of multi-sensory means. Christian Arts could be expressed by using the following questions as guidelines:

· How can I see God in art?

· How can I hear God in story?

· How can I encounter God with my senses?

· How can I express the Glory of God?

Christian Arts is an offering-not simply an artistic activity. We are the “offerers” and God is the primary one to whom the “offering is offered.” The Christian Arts Design Team usually meets once a month to plan and implement upcoming programs. All are welcome to join this creative group!

Vision:

To support the mission of Grace United Methodist Church, “To know Christ and make his love known,” through the use of  a variety of Christian Arts such as:

   Drama Ministry            Liturgical Dance        Praise Bands    

            Art   Church Community Seasonal Celebrations

 Drama Ministry:

Christian Drama has the unique opportunity of spreading God’s word in powerful ways. This ministry makes you laugh, makes you cry, renews your spirit, makes you want to clap your hands, to sing aloud. It presents the word of God in ways that otherwise might go unheard. One of the nice things about drama is that it can be enjoyed and participated in by people of virtually all ages. A typical season includes: 

“Return to Bethlehem”   This outdoor presentation is a means for the community and beyond to witness the Biblical account of the night of Jesus birth. As a guide travels with a group of visitors back in time some 2,000 years ago, the sights, sounds, and smells of Bethlehem are recreated in the field behind the Wesley Center. With over 400 in the cast, and a steering committee of 20 who work year-round, this gift of love from the congregation of Grace UMC has impacted 24, 017 visitors in the six years it’s been running! This year’s dates are Dec. 6-9, and your help will be needed! Please see p. 26 for a calendar of events leading to this year’s production.

Youth Drama Team   This team of youth from 6-12 grade meet each Sunday from 4:00-5:00 p.m. rehearsing for upcoming presentations. This year YDT will be involved in The Fall Carnival, Youth Sunday, “Return to Bethlehem,” The Valentine Banquet, the Seder Feast, and more!

Biblical Storytelling, Seasonal Plays, and Drama in Worship   Watch the newsletter for opportunities to participate in drama ministry through special worship services.

Children’s Drama Camp  For the past 12 years, children from completed 1st-6th grade have gathered for this fun week in July to learn a play and then present it at the end of camp week.  

Liturgical Dance:

Liturgical dance or Interpretive Movement, is a form of religious expression that has been around for centuries, from joyous circle dances of the early Christians to the slow-motion kneeling of a lonely soul in search of God. In the early 20th century, dancing as a sacred art was neglected and even discouraged by many religious leaders. However, in recent years, it is once again finding its place in worship. The main goal is to glorify God through expression and movement.

                  Two separate dance teams are currently available: “Spirit of the Son” comprised of girls from 1st-5th grade and a second group of young ladies from 6th-12th grade. These groups will meet weekly in the fall to prepare for their involvement in World Communion Sunday, Youth Sunday, Children’s Sunday and occasional worship services.

Youth Praise Band, “seventh day”

This band of all youth from 9th-12th grade enables participants to use their gifts to glorify God through an avenue that is unique. This group strives for playing music that is theologically sound and consistent with Grace church’s mission and vision.  This band serves on a rotation as worship leaders at the contemporary LifeSong service in the Wesley Center. Their special music will be provided during the church year at events such as Youth Sunday, UMYF, the Senior Valentines Banquet, and more. New additions to the band are always welcome and needed!

Adult Praise Band, “by the Grace”

This band of adults serves on a rotation as worship leaders at the LifeSong  service that is held each week in the Wesley Center. The band rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Wesley Center. New additions to this band are welcome!

Banners:

Banners in worship-with their interplay of words, bold shapes, symbols, and colors provide new ways to look at words that we have heard many times or provide visual metaphors with fresh understanding. Sometimes difficult-to-understand ideas become easier to grasp if we can see what the idea is like. Because these words and ideas are found in Scripture, a new energy comes about. God’s word becomes alive!

Church Community Seasonal Celebrations:

Special opportunities throughout the church year are offered that enhance the season. The Seder Feast is one such program that was introduced at Grace in 2004 and will be offered again in April of 2007. This remembering of the Passover meal is a special night of celebration!  There are opportunities for many people to be involved in this event that include: readers during the program, musicians, kitchen helpers, room decorators, light and sound technicians, and more! Of course, if you just want to come to the program and eat…you can do that, too!

Decorating the church through the seasons:

When we speak of decorating the church, the word decorate means appropriately honoring a season. Liturgical decorations foster a mood, sometimes of festivity and other times of penitence, but always of dignity. Liturgical decorations serve as a reminder of the images of heaven and the reign of God. Look for special decorations during the Advent and Christmas season and the Lent and Easter season.