The Episcopal Church and Visual Arts

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Open Door
By Donna Shasteen
Acrylic, 2005
18" x 14"

Afternoon Tea
By Kathie McCarthy

Weary,
I come into this small bit of earth
and sit,
cup of tea for companion,
and sit.

Slowly, the life abounding
makes its way into my pores
begins the drip of life.

For years, I was the earth,
extracting what elements I had
from whatever compost there was,
forming new forms.
Two young people now walk the earth,
My precious harvest.

In this garden, I am no longer the earth.

Tall sprouts of gentle green,
day by day, climbing.
Poles disappear.
White-moth flowers promising
the crunchy sweet freshness of summer.
A fountain of life returning.

Kathie McCarthy lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington, where she works with the youth at Grace Episcopal Church. Kathie has been a massage therapist for twenty years and a therapist for eight. She currently teaches and writes about sexuality education for teenagers.

Email: topaz@sounddsl.com
Parish: Grace Episcopal Church, Bainbridge Island, Washington

Donna Shasteen's art encompasses a diversity of mediums including acrylic, mixed media, and fiber. She has been included in ECVA exhibitions including "Spirit's Fire" and "Art and Faith: a Spiritual Journey". Her work as a graphic artist includes the Coalition Ministries and Congregations Study reports funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. at the Department of Sociology, University of Houston.

Donna is currently completing a liturgical cycle of hangings for the children's chapel at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, Houston, Texas. The hangings are a collaborative project including the creative work of children and adults from the school and church community.

Email: donna@shasteen.com
Parish: Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas