The Rev. Nancy Mills

“The Messenger…” asks, do you remember the message? The message that cost the Son of God his life. The life he willingly took on, becoming one of us. The message was one of pardon for the black sheep, the outcast, and the marginalized. Children get it, but do we remember what the Good News was all about? Do we know or remember that we are loved by God?

This painting is oil on canvas with drawing in oil crayon. Bits of yarn and a wooden crucifix along with “jewels,” sewn on trim and artificial zinnias, make for an iconic reference to a home altar. Framed with posts that repeat those shown as a throne, the painting combines whimsy with melancholy. Would that more of us could remember the message that we are loved. Note: the hawk is a symbol for ‘messenger’ for some Native American peoples. This painting evolved from a beautiful one found beside the road

The Advent hymn #59, The Hymnal 1982, sings the message of the painting. Especially v.3 and 4,

Lo! the Lamb, so long expected,
comes with pardon down from heaven;
let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
one and all to be forgiven;
so when next he comes with glory,
and the world is wrapped in fear,
may he with his mercy shield us,
and with the words of love draw near.

The Rev. Nancy Mills attended the Moore College of Art for Women and the Philadelphia Museum College of Art, now called the University of the Arts, with painting as her major study. After moving to the South, she exhibited nationally and internationally and has had gallery representation in Atlanta, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge among other cities. Her work hangs in public, corporate and private Museums along with pieces in Community Arts collections. After pursuing a career as an artist, she answered a call to the priesthood and is now serving in two parishes in the Diocese of Georgia. Her studio is located in the Vicarage of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Thomasville, Georgia. She is now engaged with intentionally integrating her art work more fully into parish ministry. Recently she used one of her paintings to illustrate a point in the sermon for the first time.

The Rev. Nancy Mills
Email: nmills@rose.net

Parish: Good Shepherd Episcopal Church Thomasville, Georgia