A Lenten Cross Making Workshop Sunday, March 20

after the 10 am service in the Great Hall

A Creative Connection to God

Powerpoint created by Jill Seiler-Moon Feb. 2016

Using only found materials and guided by the Spirit, we will create crosses that will be displayed in the Sanctuary during Holy Week with reflective prayers shared during our “Way of the Cross” services. After Easter, those who make crosses can take them home for continued use.

“To make a cross is to pray in a new way … making crosses is a way for God

to pray through you.” Ellen Morris Prewitt

Cross Creator: June L.

A cross created with tree bark, twine, wheat stalks, dried flowers, and moss Reflect on it … what comes to mind?

Cross Creator: Donna B.

Reject the materialism of this world

• Take what the world doesn’t value and make it into a work of God.

• Reuse discarded materials and give them new, godly life.

• Cross making invites community…invite a friend who will share this experience with you.

Getting Started • Search your junk drawers, closets, and garages

for broken treasures and discarded materials

Found string, crumpled tissue paper

A broken key chain, broken jewelry

Mismatched buttons, beads, broken shells

Dried flowers, ribbons, old thread spools

Elastics, fish line, bubble wrap

Cloth scraps, scratched lottery tickets

Bottlecaps, paper clips

Bring in items to share that you’re willing to

“let go” of

A cross made from sticks, cotton, a seed pod, and colored cloth

Cross Creator: Marjorie T.

Finding Crossbeams

They can be found anywhere…

share what you have with others

sticks, old taper candles

pencils, popsicle sticks

knitting needles, nails

raffia, old rulers, tree bark

pipes from a broken wind chime

strung beads, chicken wire

driftwood, garden edging

rolled newspaper, chopsticks

A cross made from sticks, raffia, evergreens, and a silk flower

Cross Creator: Jeanne S.

Holding it together Crossbeams can be fastened with:

• Wire

• Twine

• Pipe cleaners

• Ribbon

• String

• Fishing line

• Duct tape

As you engage in this practice, you are experiencing a new kind of prayer. Talk with God as you go.

Be guided by the Holy Spirit in anticipation of your creation

Some of this “collecting” may not

make sense to you at first. You may

feel led to do something a certain

way and not know why. That’s good…

follow it.

A cross made from sticks, pipe cleaners,

mardi gras beads, and old coins

Cross Creator: Bobby F.

Create a “Cross Collection Week” at home prior to the workshop

• IMPORTANT…DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING!

• Everything and anything can become cross-making material.

• “Scrounging” can take place outside too: -- if you spy a rusted washer in the parking lot, pick it up and bring it in … someone may be inspired to use it on their cross.

• You may drop off donated cross making supplies in the box located on the ushers table in the Sanctuary.

A cross made

from sticks, beads,

cloth, pine, and

moss

“To me, it

represents Jesus’

suffering on the

cross, his

resurrection,

and everlasting

light and life.” ~ Jill Cross Creator: Jill S-M

But I’m not artistic !

• “Art isn’t just about perspective and detail and form and negative space. It’s about going deeply within and expressing that depth with color, with image, with collage, and every fiber of our being.”

Anne Marie Bennett from Into the Heart of SoulCollage™

• We are all artists in our own ways, and the goodness of

that art is all about how it touches us inside, at our core. Our cross’ meanings may not be evident at first, but the cross making process may move each person a little further on the journey inward, toward our hearts, where love abounds.

The Value of Gifts

If you’ve received special gifts that are truly special, but you may not use anymore, such as: old medals, rings special rocks, pictures cards, pendants, bracelets costume jewelry from the 50’s keepsakes, old coins

Save them and attach them to your own cross. It’s as if a piece of a person you love has become part of the cross.

+ Thanks to your donations, everything will be provided

+ Wherever you are, begin there

+ Then, do whatever the Holy Spirit leads you to do

+ All ages are welcome…

no experience necessary !

Cross Creator: Chase P.

The Blessed Assurance

With God beside me, I cannot worry about what others will think of my beliefs I will not clam up in fear and refuse to speak to you about my time with God. Together, in His name, we will approach a place that isn’t quite where we were before As we make crosses, we will carry with us the Blessed Assurance we are not as alone as we think we are. From: Making Crosses by Ellen Morris Prewitt