Quakers & the Arts
Every Day Blessings, by Anne Nydam
Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts and FGC, by Chuck Fager
Photographs and Writings Depicting One Pilgrims Views, by Skip Schiel
Painterly Attention and Prayer, on Ben Norris
Doing Scales, by Jonathan Vogel-Borne
Poem and Excerpt,. by Penelope Wright & Jennifer Elam
FGC Announces "Nurturing Quakerism" Campaign
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Quakers & the Arts
 Image by Anne Nydam |
By Anne Nydam. "I have never heard a voice from a burning bush, or indeed any clear, unambiguous voice, however still and small. The one thing that is clear to me, however, is that I have been abundantly blessed beyond all imagining with the things of this world. I walk around full of wonder at all the weeds and bugs, the shapes of pipes and hinges, the colors of clouds and cars. I walk in a world of gratitude for that wonder, and out of that wonder and gratitude come my art."
Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts and FGC
By Chuck Fager. "This gap, this point of uncertainty, may be where the Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts (FQA) can play its most useful role, as a facilitator, support network, and general cheerleader. FQA began in the early 1990s when a handful of Friends in and around Trenton (New Jersey) Meeting gathered to support each other in their art work, and to help put on some joint projects. They mounted several exhibits and put on a few plays. After several years of mostly local efforts, FQA decided, in early 1997, to broaden its horizons and see if it could serve Friends with artistic concerns and involvements on a wider scale."
Photographs and Writings Depicting One Pilgrims Views
By Skip Schiel. Photographing "one pilgrim's view" of the Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage.
Painterly Attention and Prayer
Painting by Ben Norris
A profile of Quaker painter Ben Norris. "Norris became a Friend fifty years ago in Honolulu. Asked about Quakerism or spirituality in his art he responds that he, too, has wondered about that. Norris goes on to explain that for years he had stumbled over the mystery of prayer."
Doing Scales
By Jonathan Vogel-Borne. "Music is a metaphor for my spiritual journey. In my life, music has moved from a place where I retreat, to fill my soul, to a place of prayer, where my soul overflows... As music became prayer, I found it more and more difficult to see my life's work contending with the flash and commercialism of the music industry. In 1982, that band broke up around me. A close friend in the network of West Coast Young Friends had asked me if I wanted to join him and four others on a Quaker bicycle peace pilgrimage."
Poem and Excerpt
A poem by Penelope Wright, and an excerpt from Jennifer Elam's Pendle Hill pamphlet Dancing with God Through the Storm.
FGC Announces "Nurturing Quakerism" Campaign
FGC's first major development campaign was unveiled at the 2000 Gathering of Friends. Find out what it supports (this website for one) and how you can support it!
From FGConnections. Friends General Conference, 1216 Arch Street 2B, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Connections Home and Past Issues
