Eighteen-plus members of Boise First Congregational, United Church of Christ shared their artistic interpretations of James 2: 1-10 on Sunday, September 8, 2023.
Interim Pastor Bruce Erving chose the scripture, nearing the end of his ministry at our church before a new pastor is called.
The scripture reads as follows:
2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
James 2: 1-10
Members of all ages participated, creating music and song, two-dimensional photography and paintings and a woodblock print, fiber art and macrame, several three-dimensional mixed media pieces, and even a culinary interpretation.
Here are some highlights of artwork from our congregants!
Eden and Susan Barkley
Eden explains that:
My painting is supposed to be the sun. Why I want it to be the sun is that it’s part of our solar system. We need the sun to have light. The sun shines on everybody.
Certainly there’s no favoritism with celestial bodies!
Susan Barkley
Susan hilariously wrote:
I realize that a culinary interpretation of this passage is a bit unorthodox. However, when Gretchen first mentioned that no one had ever done a food-based interpretation, I immediately thought of it as a challenge. I thought about foods people sometimes have strong preferences for or rigid feelings about. I landed on raisins versus chocolate chips in oatmeal cookies. While Some of us reject one or the other, there is room for all cookies in God’s kingdom and all are welcome on the same plate.
Marlene Mussler Wright
Marlene created a soft watercolor entitled “Rich Inside”. Her statement was:
I have art-ful years and years with less art. I’m grateful for this yearly opportunity to reflect and get out all my supplies! Some people are rich on the outside, some are rich on the inside. I like this reminder to share with all.
Ralph Blount
Ralph created a very unique three-dimensional work using newsprint and magazine paper, and acrylic. His statement was:
I approach James 2: 1-10 by attempting to flesh out the general meaning of the text, which I take to mean we are in this jumble together, regardless of our numerous bases for association and disassociation. Not exhibiting favoritism is a sacred practice. We are all called upon to love alike, not think alike. Expressed in the medium of print, I attempt to translate the text into color, form, and shape that reflects the call to continuously reach upwards toward justice and hold one another dear.
Pastor Bruce Ervin
In one of Pastor Bruce’s earlier ministries, he was gifted this gorgeous embroidered stole crafted by immigrants in his congregation, that he wore on the occasion of this Sunday’s presentation.
In his words:
And so it was that a repentant progressive congregation in Hyde Park – where Black worshippers had once been turned away, only to be welcomed reluctantly decades later – so it was that said congregation, a few decades after that, opened its doors to undocumented Guatemalan refugees who sought sanctuary. One family of refugees created this beautiful stole, and my parents – members of that church – gifted it to me.
This was a very thoughtful entry expressing that God’s love is for all, including immigrants (who are often vilified).
Takeaways from the “Love Your Neighbor As Yourself” Show
As the curator of this show, I feel that some of the best, most powerful energy comes from deep contemplation by artists in their creative processes, and from deep contemplation by the receiving congregation. This contemplation renews these ancient words of scripture, inspiring us in new creative ways, and comforting and uplifting us today.
No two people can ever see anything the same way, including artwork or even the way one worships or not. Our brains are impossibly unique! The artwork in this show, with its incredible diversity of expression, is a gorgeous offering to all viewers, and undoubtedly touches God’s heart in every infinite way it’s perceived.
This scriptural art show will be up until October 27, 2024, if you feel inclined to experience it in person at 10 am on Sunday mornings at Boise First Congregational Church, UCC, located at 2201 W Woodlawn Ave. Boise, ID 83702!
Woodblock Printmaking Classes
In addition to the scriptural art show, I will be teaching an Autumn Woodblock Printmaking Class on September 28, 2024 from 2 pm-6:30 pm
And a Winter Woodblock Printmaking Class on October 19, 2024 from 9 am-1:30 pm at Catalyst Arts Collaborative.
Come join us for this all experience levels, low pressure and unique opportunity to create your own greeting cards, works on paper, and a woodblock that can also be a work of art in itself! This is an excellent way to learn how to work with wood and ink, and is accessible to everyone 16+ who can carve independently with sharp chisels after instruction on safe use.
You can work from designs I will provide, or bring your own 6″x8″ drawings! Depending on the class, it’s possible that each student can make up to two woodblock designs to print from.
Students consistently report having a great time making their prints and handmade cards! We also have a lot of fun sharing and cheering each other on as we work!
Join the Class
Click the link below to sign up for this fun class!
- Where: Catalyst Arts Collaborative located at 6427 W Ustick Rd. Boise, ID 83704
- When: September 28, 2 pm – 6:30 pm or October 19, 9 am- 1:30 pm
- Cost: $90 per participant to explore this unique art form!
I hope to see you in class! Thank you for supporting the arts!
-Gretchen Weitemier