Have you noticed the murals?
Dear Church,
I have a growing passion for murals. Every time I drive to church, I pass the mural near the bridge into Ludlow on Iglesias De Dios Nuevos Conienzos (New Beginnings Church of God). And now, when I lead worship, I gaze upon the mural painted across the front of the day school across Berkshire Street from the church. They bring me so much joy. I wonder how they sit with you.
When you drive around downtown Springfield, there are more. Bright flowers near an elementary school. Young dancers near the center. Howard Drew, Springfield’s very own fastest man alive at the time. Incredible.
This public art inspires me to understand our city. You can do some research yourself. Common Wealth Murals is a great place to start.
If the church commissioned a mural, who would be featured? What stories would you want it to tell? How would it beautify and bring hope to our neighborhood?
It reminds me of the C.S. Lewis idea that I have referenced several times over the past year: beauty is a window through which we are drawn to God. We sense when we experience art that there is more to our existence and to life than merely the physical. We are drawn to God. We are drawn to worship.
My favorite of these murals is the one that greets me as I come into the Orchard on Iglesias De Dios Nuevos Conienzos. It reminds me to see the beauty in the Orchard the way that God sees it.
Write back to me if you can. Tell me how the murals have ministered to you. Have they raised your awareness? Do they draw you to worship?
With gratitude,
Pastor Karen
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