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Christan Artist Group - Stations of the Cross
On the wall of the Rectory kitchen hangs a small framed drawing of an aged monk playing a violin in front of a crucifix. The rapt expression on the monk’s face and the total engagement of his body in making music are remarkable because there is no one else in the picture. It’s just an old man and his Savior. I often look at the drawing on days when I wonder if anybody cares what happens in church. And I’m reminded that I’m really ministering to an audience of one, my Savior, who has blessed me beyond reckoning and who invites my best response.
All Christians, regardless of their gifts and their calling, play for an audience of one, and in offering Jesus their best, they open ways for the rest of us to experience his love and offer him our praise. The artistic expressions offered by St. Michael’s Christian Artists represent each member’s devotion to an audience of One, celebrations of love painted or drawn or written or photographed or sculpted or scored for nobody else but Jesus. Just as the crucified Christ drew music from that old monk, so here the fourteen stations of the Cross have drawn each of our artists on a private journey into the Lord’s suffering, and then sent them out, for our benefit, to create with artistic energy born of faith. I pray that all whom God blesses thorugh this journey along the way of the Cross will show their gratitude by living their lives and using their gifts for an audience of One. ~ Richard I. H. Belser, Rector
The Stations of the Cross Project: Over a year has passed since Anne and I found ourselves in an in-depth discussion of faith and art as we drove to our studio in North Carolina. We were sharing our thoughts about making paintings with overt references to Christianity and faith. “Does one abandon the path already taken and begin to make art with an obvious Christian theme?” was a question at the forefront of this discussion. “Or does one continue with the belief in God that constantly is in one’s heart and mind, in hoping that He will be evident in whatever works you do. I believe the latter to be true no matter what one calls his or her occupation or vocation. Nonetheless, this is the classic problem confronting a “Christian Artist.” Is it wrong to use your God-give talent to paint in ways that are not directly illustrative of the Bible or of your faith? Our converation came around to the many versions of the “Stations of the Cross.” I remembered well Ben Stahl’s famous series that was stolen from the museum in Sarasota and never recovered. Other paintings from Rubens, Rembrandt and Titian made their way into our conversation. I then confessed how I’d always wanted to paint the “Stations of the Cross,” and with that an inspiration, even an epiphany came to me: Let’s present this as a project to the Arts group at St. Michael’s, and we’ll each take a station to tell the story of the Lord’s crucifixion.
At first, I was hesitant to bring it up the thr group for fear that it might be viewd s hokey, but I made a couple of phone calls to members and everyone who I called was, without hesitation, immediately enthusiastic. “O, ye of little faith,” I thought to myself. When the idea was presented to the membership at the next meeting, I was greeted with a positive and very enthusiastic reacion. We drew numbers from a sweetgrass basket to decide which “sation” each member would create from. We used the fourteen Stations as described in the “Book of Special Services.” There are several Stations which have more than one artist in different media and one wrote a poem for each station. We were not allowed to choose our Station, although we were allowed to trace with another artist. There wre no size limits or requirements other than a deadline of January 15. (Only three made the deadline.) A few more made the next deadline and gradually the work has been completed.
Our group has truly been blessed by this project. Nineteen artists of almost every media have been involved. The feedback from participants had been inspirational. Each person did his or her own research and that research was often shared with the group. We’ve each grown, and although I wouldn’t say that I’m a better artist now, I do think I’m a better person. Thanks be to God and through His hand and thanks to the very special leadership at St. Michael’s Church for support throughout this project. – Bill Jameson
First Station: Jesus is Condemned |
Beth Webb Hart When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. The delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. (John 19:13-16)
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Second Station: Jesus Carries His Cross |
Martha-Elizabeth Ferguson The soldiers took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. (John 19:16-17)
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Third Station: Jesus Falls |
Belinda Churchward Being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8)
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Fourth Station: Jesus Neets His Mother |
Leonard Stephens what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee? (Lamentations 2:13)
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Fifth Station: Simon Helps Carry the Cross |
Edward Hart And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. (Luke 23:26)
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Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face |
Amelia Rose Smith Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5)
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Seventh Station: Jesus Falls a Second Time |
Bill Jameson He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)
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\Eighth Station: Jesus Meets the Women |
Anne Jameson And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. (Luke 23:27-28)
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Ninth Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time |
Chris Snedeker I AM the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light. Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day. (Lamentations 3:1-3)
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Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped |
Sally Hughes Smith They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. (John 19:24)
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Eleventh Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross |
Karen Larson Turner And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. (Luke 23:33)
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Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross |
Marie Pelzer He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30)
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Thirteenth Station: Jesus is Taken Down |
Honor Marks Is it nothing to you, all who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow. (Lamentations 1:12)
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Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Buried |
Kit Coker Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. (John 19:41-42) He is risen indeed!
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