Creativity and Art as a Spiritual Practice
By Jean Homrighausen, Director, Center for Creative Contemplation
 “Depict your Life Story”
Class assignment at Columbia Theological Seminary
The Center for Creative Contemplation (CCC) is Central Florida Presbytery’s newest new worshiping community (NWC). Directed by me, Jean Homrighausen, a candidate for ministry, I see a need for the PC(USA) to embrace the transformational power of contemplative practices and creativity and art in a person’s faith formation. Time and again, I have experienced the impact of centering prayer and other contemplative practices on my life. Creative response to spiritual practices addresses my hunger for a deep experience of the mystery of God. Here are 2 examples of how creativity as a spiritual practice helped me discern my call to create
the CCC. “Life on a Porch” by, Jean Homrighausen While the black & white floor represents my uncomplicated childhood, my adulthood has been more colorful with the storm of divorce that has become a clearing for joy and hope in the future. And always the Gulf of Mexico remains a southern compass point on the horizon, providing a sort of physical guide that points the way. “Abiding Image” Poetry assignment for Spiritual Direction Training “The Porch” By, Jean Homrighausen I could live on a porch, I’ve often thought Screen catching mosquitoes and sideways rain With a sturdy cot under a whirring fan Comfy chair, small table and lamp to read by Crickets singing in the soft dusk light Muffled laughter drifts by. I’m perched on a porch, nature minus mess In the world but not of it, seeing in a mirror dimly through a veil of screen Sipping cabernet like communion wine Numbing life as it flits by. Living on a porch, it turns out to be, Is like an anchoress without a call Reading a trashy novel, drinking martinis Until there’s no more day left for regret. Leaving the porch, it seems to me, Is where the Spirit is nudging me. The door creeks open. Baby steps. |
Evidently, I’m no artist or poet, but as a child of God, I am a creative, as we all are. It’s the process that holds meaning.
The other example is from The other example is from Tara Dalles of Wekiva Presbyterian Church, “Poured Out" by Tara Dalles 
Please join us for a 4-part series entitled, “Creativity and Art as a Spiritual Practice” at Maitland Presbyterian Church Thursday evenings, 6-7:30 pm:
Oct. 26 - “Mandalas & Poetry” with Jean Homrighausen Nov. 2 – “Photography” with Cheryl Carson Nov. 9 - “Watercolor” with Tara Dalles Nov. 16 – “Kintsugi” with Helen Debevoise (Kintsugi is a Japanese art form that takes broken pottery and mends it with a lacquer mixed with metals, especially gold, making the scarred pottery even more beautiful than its original form). Come to one or all of these sessions, but please sign up by the Tuesday before each session at by emailing Jean at director@center4creativecontemplation.org. Childcare is provided if needed. |