PRLC Aesthetics: New Banners, Images, and a More Complete Kingdom of God
We have exciting updates on the process of increasing the welcoming and inclusive nature of our worship space!
In 2017, we began a discernment process to reconcile aesthetics of our space with a growing awareness of the ways we implicitly privilege the representation of white faces and culture. Some of us thought that by maintaining a status quo of white supremacy in our imagery, we were missing a chance to express a more complete image of God and God’s kingdom. A team formed and began to examine, educate, and propose changes to the aesthetics of our building.
An adult education series unfolded in summer 2018 where we shared rich conversations around multiculturalism and cultural sensitivity. A group toured Mt. Zion Baptist Church, St. James Cathedral, and two chapels at Seattle University. We witnessed beautiful sacred art including the use of interchangeable items representing multicultural biblical images. We also saw windows featuring saints instrumental in history, as well as a mural honoring great women of the bible. We got a lot of inspiration!
Artist and PRLC congregant Larkin Van Horn crafted some beautiful new paraments (the decorative cloths on the table and ambo) which have enlivened our sanctuary. Several wonderful pieces of more inclusive sacred art— including the icon The Trinity depicted in female forms by artist Kelly Latimore— were gifted, hung, and have diversified our perspective.
Starting this Advent through Epiphany, you will see vibrant new banners hanging beside the ambo. On November 28th we’ll see Larkin’s work Solvitur Ambulando (“it is solved by walking”) introducing our church’s Advent theme of Journeying Together. Our Advent journey is depicted as a labyrinth to invite us to reflection and preparation on this sacred inward walk to the birth of Jesus at Christmas.
But we’re not journeying alone. We walk together as a PRLC community, and our togetherness as a people of God is made more complete by the inclusion of images from outside our usual European perspective. You’ll see images in the Narthex throughout Advent depicting some of our gospel characters in a new light.
Through these images and banners, we intend to invite the community to join in an introspective journey, awaken an awareness and sensitivity to our space, and begin to see God in more places than before. Ultimately, we hope to foster a more innovative and welcoming environment for all.
--Your PRLC Race & Equity Team and Liturgical Art Group
Deacon Patrick Meagher, Jenn Boelter, Vicar Sara, Alice Gregory, Thaddaeus Gregory, Patty Maier, Tiffany Megargee, Barbara Mockett, Pastor Anne, Pastor Bryon, Erica Shutes-David, Signe Roscoe, and Larkin Van Horn.
LIRS and Hope for the Holidays at PRLC
This holiday season we’re going to highlight Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service’s Hope for the Holidays campaign. Some of you have already contributed by making holiday cards that will be delivered to children currently held in immigration detention camps. While that deadline has passed, watch for other opportunities to be informed and lend your support throughout Advent. Learn more about the program at LIRS.ORG/HOPE.
