Summer Institute in Spirituality and the Arts

The Summer Institute in Spirituality and the Arts provides a place to expand our awareness and knowledge about the intersections of art and religion.

Explorations in Creativity, Worship, and Faith June 9-12, 2009 download flyer Participants are offered an opportunity to explore the intersections of art and religion in their personal lives and faith communities. Different tracks provide tools for spiritual growth, personal reflection, and congregational renewal. Participants leave refreshed for their work in the world through creative encounters with leaders, each other, and the Holy. Each day of the 4-day Institute includes a morning and afternoon workshop. Full-day or half-day attendance options are available.

2009 SUMMER INSTITUTE IN SPIRITUALITY AND THE ARTS
TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
JUNE 9-12, 2009

Daily Schedule
Details
Cost/CEUs
Lodging
Online Registration or Printable Registration Form
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Details

Morning Workshop Options

1) Bibliodrama

Peter Pitzele, who developed Bibliodrama into an art form, speaks of the black spaces and white spaces in the Bible. According to an ancient rabbinic tradition, the black spaces are the printed words but the white spaces around them are also sacred. The white spaces invite us to use our imaginations to tell the stories that the words do not tell. Bibliodrama is both serious and playful, and anyone can participate. It provides a wonderful experience for all ages to enter into Bible stories in new and fresh ways, as participants more than readers. We will experience Bibliodrama and learn basic techniques of leading a Bibliodrama experience for congregational use.

Marilyn Salmon is professor of New Testament theology at United and an Episcopal priest. Her book, Preaching without Contempt: Overcoming Unintended Anti-Judaism, invites Christians to read the New Testament with a more accurate understanding of Judaism. 

2) Exploring the Landscape of Art and Reconciliation*

Engaging with creative acts can help us know who we are and where God is calling us to go. Drawing on personal experiences of connecting to God’s call through visual art and then living this out in the world, the facilitators will invite you to reflect on your call to art and reconciliation. They will share their experiences working on the peace line in Belfast, Northern Ireland where art, diversity of faith, and reconciliation meet on Holy Ground. Each class will include a time of art as prayer that will give participants a chance to become more aware of God’s presence in all of life.

Chuck and Peg Carlson-Hoffman are professional artists deeply committed to the healing power of art in forgiveness and reconciliation. They have spent time living in Belfast, Northern Ireland, seeing firsthand the ways the arts can be a unique tool for understanding and connection. Peg’s passion for art and faith includes designing worship spaces and experiential environments for engaging the Holy. Chuck’s passion for the spiritual in art finds inspiration in the transcending connection of art, prayer, and faith. The Hoffmans are founders of the Genesis Art Studio and serve on the board of directors and as faculty members for the Grünewald Guild.

*There is an additional $15 supply fee for this workshop.

Afternoon Workshop Options

3) Playing with Art to Create Poems of Vision and Spirit

Sometimes when we work with words, our left brain gets in the way of what the deepest in us wants to say. Engaging in art activities (drawing, clay work, painting, collage, print making, etc.) can bring into view what the right brain may be clamoring to show us, a wise vitality we may not always be able to access directly. In this workshop, we will – in an attitude of experiment and play – “mess around” with art materials triggered by selected poems we will read. We will then shape our own poems informed by what we have created. The process could find us ranging over and pressing the limits of our personal and collective spiritual frontier.

Susan Deborah (Sam) King teaches writing at various institutions including the University of Minnesota and the Loft Literary Center. Formerly a Presbyterian minister and psychotherapist, King leads retreats on creativity and spirituality and is the author of Tabernacle: Poems of an Island and One Breasted Woman.

4) Creating Significant Worship: Weaving Together Imagination and Practical Skills

This hands-on workshop is designed to help participants renew their worship planning toolkits, hone skills for building planning teams, and learn how to use planning grids for multi-dimensional worship. An experience in creating actual worship for the coming Advent-Christmas season will engage possibilities for the use of image, song, movement, word, PowerPoint, fabric arts, and music performance. There will also be a chance to see model examples from the “Creating Significant Worship” project developed by United with funding from the Calvin Institute of Worship. Ideal for those looking for fresh ideas and approaches to enliven the worship life of their congregations. 

Arthur Clyde has spent a lifetime in music and arts ministries. In addition to his experience in congregations, he has created numerous resources and workshops as minister for worship, music, and liturgical arts for the United Church of Christ (UCC). He has been a worship designer and consultant for both UCC and ecumenical national gatherings and synods. He is an adjunct faculty member at United.

Optional Evening Session

Creating Significant Worship
Thursday, June 11, 7:30 PM

You are invited to an evening program that will share the highlights and learning from United’s year-long “Creating Significant Worship” project. There is no cost. Check back for more information.

Cost*/CEUs

Full-day Registration

Half-day Registration

Lodging

Subject to availability, United offers limited on-campus housing. Lodging at United and other nearby options.

For more information

To learn more about United’s Religion and the Arts Program or the Summer Institute in Spirituality and the Arts, contact Renee K. Flesner, 651.255.6138. For information about the Masters Program in Theology and the Arts, contact Michelle Rodriguez, 651.255.6119.