Visual Faith Gathering- Northern Virginia

FaithArt 101was held

 on Saturday, May 6, 2017

 at New Hope Church in Lorton, Virginia.

65 women of all ages gathered to worship, 

learn about Visual Faith, and explore the topic of TRUST.

Director of Women's ministry - Karenna Rowenhorst 

and her retreat team did an awesome job 

of inviting area churches

 and welcoming all attendees.

I was blessed to present 

with artist Diane Marra-

who has mentored me

 in Visual Faith practices for the last nine years.

An opening devotion of Proverbs 3:1-8

shaped the framework for our day.

The morning was an overview 

of Keep the Faith and Visual Faith projects like:

Prayers for my Children, 

Counting Gifts and Prayers by the Month journals.

We then explored prayer roadblocks, 

Secret Code prayers, 

and praying Scripture.

Visual and Kinesthetic?

The makes sense for how many of us-

 connect and process.

New Hope sponsors 

her ministries for women:

honoring, equipping and rejoicing.

There was a Show and Tell 

table for sharing ideas.

A display table of Bible Verse Coloring books

 let you look through them 

and find one that would best suit you!

Then take a photo to remember 

the cover and author and order online.

There was also a table filled 

with resources for purchase

 from some of our favorite 

Visual Faith authors and practitioners:

 Lisa Hickman, 

Sybil MacBeth,

Shannon Noel, 

and Joanne Fink and Regina Yoder.

There were also some great door prizes

 and even a Journaling Bible give away. 

After a wonderful lunch and conversation, 

it was time to get messy  and dive

 into a study on TRUST-

led by Diane.

A flat canvas gave us a place for hidden journaling

 that was then covered with papers to collage.

  Once again - Proverbs 3:5-6.

TRUSTING- to spill our fears 

and say it all right there on the canvas.

 TRUSTING-

 when we can't see where we are going.

TRUSTING-

 when we are rushed 

and can't plan things out to perfection.

TRUSTING-

when we have never done this thing before.

TRUSTING-

that our Lord has "got this"-

 with the covered- up mess 

 on our canvas.

TRUSTING-

that my walk will look like no one else's-

and that's BEAUTIFUL.

Always something new to learn-

the Greek batach- means to hide for refuge.

Loving that image.

And maybe we will just be reminded

 that God wants us to live a more careless life-

that is- one without fear and no worry.

Not a bad take-away

 from our one day retreat.

A special thank you to all 

who took the time in busy schedules

 to live this one day TOGETHER.