- Liv Larson Andrews, DEM
Theologian Walter Brueggeman praises the role of the artist in keeping imagination alive, especially in the face of tyranny. Imagination is alive and well at Celebration Lutheran Church in East Wenatchee, thanks to their Liturgical Arts group and a grant from the synod SHARE fund in 2024. If you have only ever seen Lenten banners featuring crowns of thorns or nails, you might take a look at the amoeba altar cloth in bright purples and oranges (or are those orbs really nebula?). Engaging the mentorship of local artist Terry Valdez, Pastor Sarah Toney gathered together a crew of servants who began thinking imaginatively--and theologically--about the church year. Focusing on Advent and Lent, this team moved from ideas to shapes and colors to specific projects. One element that I admired about the Advent display is that their old banners of plain blue served as a background for strings of stars, and new banners were also created. Old and new together--endings and beginnings.
Pastor Sarah also explained that folks who engaged in this activity were so excited by it that they often contributed their time or materials with great generosity--such that there's still a bit of grant funding to spend! What a beautiful witness that creativity and community inspire mutual care and a spirit of giving. Well done, faithful creators at Celebration! We can't wait to see what you imagine next.