ECVA Newsletter

A Visual Presence

Art, music, words – each of these forms of expression has the ability to touch us deeply. When these experiences are combined together, they can have a powerful impact. And they can strike an emotion that is sometimes unexpected. An experience comes to mind that is an example of how a simple play of images can enhance the moment.

The place was a performing arts theater that was once a Baptist church. Although it had long been converted as a place for music and theater, it still retained its large domed ceiling and all its stained glass windows from its previous life as a place of worship.

On this particular night, was a performance by Scottish singer Sheena Wellington. At a point in her concert, she stood alone on stage to perform the traditional song “The Christ Child’s Lullaby” a capella.

As she sang, the auditorium was filled with the wonderful sounds of her voice and the words telling of the birth of Jesus. Not noticeable at first, the lights gradually began to dim and lights on the stained glass windows began to brighten. By the last ‘Alleluia’, the auditorium was dark with the windows aglow – an awe inspiring moment.
My love my treasured one are you
My sweet and lovely son are you
You are my love my darling you
Unworthy I of you

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Your mild and gentle eyes proclaim
The loving heart with which you came
A tender helpless tiny babe
With boundless gifts of grace

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

King of kings most holy one
God a son eternal one
You are my God and helpless son
My ruler of mankind

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Dan Hardison
Editor, The Episcopal Church and Visual Arts
editor@ecva.org

“The Christ Child's Lullaby”
Traditional from the Hebrides Islands
As sung by Sheena Wellington

Stained glass window at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Glendale Springs, North Carolina.


	Featured Congregation St. Dunstan's Church of the Highlands Parish Shoreline, Washington There are different types of the beauty of holiness. The Florence Henry Memorial Chapel speaks of a deep traditional artistic glory. St. Dunstan’s Church has carefully added human works among a natural glory. The parishioners of St. Dunstan’s Church of the Highlands Parish receive nurture from both. More . . .


	Visual Essay The Parables of Jesus By Jim Janknegt Jesus' reason for speaking in parables had to do with looking but not seeing, and listening but not hearing. Jim Janknegt believes the artist's role is "to help us see, not just look; see what the shadows of this world are disclosing about the Government of the Promised Son." He provides us with eight images from his ongoing series based on The Parables of Jesus. More . . .



	From the ECVA Registry: Blessed By Amanda Patrick Guilford, Connecticut colored pencil
	About ECVA
	The mission of The Episcopal Church and Visual Arts (ECVA) is to encourage artists, individuals, congregations, and scholars to engage the visual arts in the spiritual life of the church. ECVA values the significance of visual imagery in spiritual formation and the development of faith, and creates programs to support those who are engaged in using the visual arts in spiritual life. To learn more about ECVA, please visit www.ecva.org.		If you know someone who might enjoy our newsletter, please forward this issue to them so they can learn what is happening at ECVA. To subscribe, visit www.ecva.org/newsletter.htm and enter your email address.