'Released' Women's Conference TBC 31 Jan 2015

It was a pleasure to have been part of the programme at the 'Released' Women's Conference held at Tonbridge Baptist Church today. The worship at the start was incredible, the speaker, Jenny Baker, presented a discussion about gender equality, image and empowerment, and the lunch included a wonderful rustic bread and cheese spread. My eyes widened on seeing what looked like a French dinner table scene. In the afternoon, I had been asked to lead a workshop on 'Released to Create', in which we explored a range of ways to release our creativity with words. I used Isaiah 55:8-9 as inspiration to reach higher than our normal self-imposed limits, whilst Isaiah 55:10-11 was used to encourage those who felt less confident in their potential:

Isaiah 55:8-11 New International Version (NIV)

 

⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

 

Having the pictures of enlarged flowers in my mind to represent the buds flourishing, I had a go at an overdue creative project and made some giant paper flowers, formation and materials courtesy of Pinterest and a wonderful trip to Hobbycraft. Some lovely women participated in the workshop, reminding me that gold can be found in the fewest of words, whilst experience and context can make some writing styles more accessible for some than others. It was a precious time of personal reflection and intimate sharing. Feedback as we worked our way through various word play techniques included: 'It was fun! I did things I did not think I could do.' Thank you for making it enjoyable to lead.

 

  

 

 

Women's Creative Worship Evening, 16 November 2013

I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the team setting up the women's Creative Worship Evening at the Tonbridge Baptist Church on 16th November 2013. We had areas set up for varied avenues of expression, designed for the women to filter in and out of throughout the evening with no fixed timetable. I was brought in to add a 'Words' section where those who wished could write, in any form, standard or amount, in order to express their worship to God, (even blank pages are fine). However, following a picture in my mind of a river, during one of the pre-event prayer / planning meetings, the area I was developing moved from a simple table with examples for thought and resources, to a full blown river, created out of material and cardboard boxes, (to create the 3D illusion), placed / sewn together. (Six hours of sewing was involved, but I have been looking for a project to use textiles with for years so it was a very satisfying process.) I knew this had to be an interactive space, so I researched the bible for 'water/river' linked quotes and I was excited to find Acts 16:13:

'On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.' Acts 16:13

So I set about putting cushions around the 'river' to allow the women attending the event to sit around and 'reflect, contemplate, think, doodle, write, pray...' I also created a 'tree' at the top on a stand alone notice board and the remnants of material, to frame example poems of mine, one being tree based, which were offered to prompt inspired creativity or simply just something to meditate on. I was also excited to find the below example from scripture:

'Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,    and who meditates on his law day and night.³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.' Psalm 1:1-3

To encourage the women to interact with the 'river' further, I put a selection of water/river themed quotes from scripture at the bottom of the 'water's edge' to be taken away and kept by those who felt the quotes spoke to them in some way. One woman said that she had had a picture of a river in her mind that morning which was evening more exciting! What an honour to have been part of the process of her meeting with God. I was inspired to see the women interacting with river and tree area, and all in all it was a wonderful evening full of time to stop and reflect on God, whether via sung worship, art, prayer, words, dance or prophecy. I look forward to the next one...



Time Out...

Having just returned from a day at the Clothed With Joy women's conference at St.Barnabas Church, north London I feel like I've had a breath of fresh air blown into my life again. These kind of days are so important to put aside time for in order to recharge batteries, reassess your direction and to be reminded, again, of how much we are loved by God, just as we are!

The women speakers were bold with their honesty, (thank you to Helen Shannon), and the worship was true to how wonderful, amazing and fabulous God is on so many levels (reliable, strong, forgiving, accepting... and endlessly loving). I was especially taken by the song that Jo Dore wrote especially for the event. Its words were so simple, yet together were so moving and true. The beautiful melody that accompanied these words created a worship song that was a delight to sing.

Carrie Grant (Fame Academy, CBeebies, "Carrie and David's Popshop!"), was again honest in her singing. It was a gift so humbly presented to deliver God's loving face in times of great struggle. The words "I'm falling..." comforted by the following song's image of God carrying us was powerful. Thank you for sharing.

So as well as the lyrics spoken of above, where did my love of words and communicating come in? Helen Shannon spoke of the power of words. Those that hurt and those that are spoken by God (when He speaks - change happens!). Anne Coles spoke of women's intuition and choosing the right moment to deliver the right words, and finally I am so grateful to Jo Dore for hosting the "Writing a Psalm" workshop. It was so exciting to listen to someone deliver their research into the various Psalms, exposing an enthusiasm akin to my own! However her research also took her into how Psalms are written. I've never looked at writing poetry or Psalms with a particular framework in mind before, and have often avoided doing so, so not to "box" my creativity as such. However I arrived at the workshop with anticipation and excitement at having the chance to do what I love most - communicate with God, and give him the time and space to communicate with me, either via words or pictures in my mind. The workshop was an interesting and effective one in that people who had never written a Psalm or poetry before were given the space, time and know-how needed to create a Psalm which communicated their own lament or worship to God. The women present were so brave and honest in sharing what they had created and it was an honour to hear their words.

I won't post the Psalm that I wrote in the workshop here for the moment (it is a long one!), however here is a poem that I wrote later in the day based on the same picture that came to my mind during the prayer at the beginning of the workshop (thank you Jo for providing the space which allowed God to give it to me):

Your face that I draw
On this page with these words
Comes to me in my mind
As they flow to me in herds.

It is your face that I see
As I write on this page.
Your colours of brown and gold
So clear, without haze.

Do my words do you justice?
Are my words to you true?
True to all the glory
That I see in you?

For I hope that they do
As I sit here with you,
As you absorb the pain
That I see is true.

True to this world
That exists
Without knowledge
Of you.

Copyright EH 2008. All rights reserved.

Two weeks on...

Life's been a blur since the "Be Transformed" women's day, but memories of God's words to me on that day are still strong in my mind. How nice it was to get the space to listen (for that I thank the organising team!). It reminds me of a line from one of my poems: "...Oh how I love it when you speak to me."

It was such an honour too, to deliver a workshop and to use my poems to highlight how what we have to say to God is important to Him. He is listening to each and every one of us. Some of the women wrote poems, some drew, and other simply read and took the time to reflect.

Some comments from those who attended:

"It was really inspiring and encouraging. I will definitely give it a try. Letting things out in such a potentially beautiful way is very exciting."

"It was good to hear of someone else's way of communicating with God and to hear of the good and not so good times..."

"Creative atmosphere and freedom. Inspiring resources. Your honesty like a fragrant offering before God. Thanks"

"A sense of opportunity to search for new areas of contact with God...Thank you."

"Having the opportunity to express myself in a way that I haven't before. Thank you!"

"Enjoyed the space to do some writing and Esther's enthusiasm and honesty reminded me we have different gifts."

Two weeks on and I have had the chance to repeat the workshop at The Well women's group at Tonbridge Baptist Church. Thank you to my friends, old and new alike, for allowing me the opportunity to share my experiences with you in this way, and for sharing with me how this has helped / inspired you. I feel truly blessed.

Painting With Words

Using the written word to communicate with God and to express the images He presents us with.

There are many ways that God can communicate with us, and we with Him. Mine’s poetry – what’s yours?

I'll be leading a workshop at "Be Transformed" - a women's conference at St John's Church, Tunbridge Wells, 28th June 2008. Follow the link on http://www.tbc-online.org.uk/.

Conference Workshop Summary:
After a brief talk about my experience of using the written word to both hear from and communicate with God, this workshop will then allow time and space for you to enjoy your current means of expression, be it poetry, prayer, drawing, listening,… alongside the opportunity to experience and / or experiment with others at various themed stations. Simply express yourself as you choose, or enjoy other people’s creativity.

Time will be allowed to share experiences both before and after a creative soaking session. However there will be no obligation to write any poetry or to produce anything at all. Just come and enjoy communicating with God in any way you choose!

Conference attendees, whether attending this workshop or not, are invited to take part in the poll: “How do YOU communicate with God?" prior to the conference. To access the poll see above right on this page.