Newsletter
About the Vancouver Arts Network
P.O. Box 37503, North Van., B.C. (604) 987-7931
www.manifestarts.com
26/1/03
[Please forward this newsletter to anyone interested]
If you'd like to request future regular email editions of the newsletter, contact Rob at:
1. Recap: Imago Evening
2. A New Heaven; a New Earth
3. Imago Dei; 'dialogues with heaven'
4. Growing VAN
5. Last Word
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Recap: Imago Evening
Thank you to the over 80 people who attended last Sat.'s Imago Evening. These
evenings, which we produce quarterly, are opportunities to hear from artists
about the ways art intersects with their faith, life and vision.
Thank you especially to the presenters who made the evening the rich time
it was: to Rick Poltaruk, for his folksy ways with a story and his engaging
songs from his CD 'Hearbeat;' to Doris H. Auxier, who gave us insight into
the life of an artist and the issues that go into the subject matter an artist
chooses; to Stephen Plitt, for his screening of 'Afterlife Taxi" a short
comedy film directed by Stephen, with VAN members Deb Sears, Ian Farthing
and Rick Poltaruk among the cast; and to John Franklin, Executive Director
of Imago (Toronto) who shared with us his sense of a growing momentum in the
Christian arts community worldwide. John presented a video on the work of
Imago emphasizing the variety of art forms that come under the Imago umbrella,
as well as the national sense of connection we are watching grow.
Watch for our next Imago Evening in late April.
A New Heaven; a New Earth
Just a reminder about the ongoing art exhibit of the finalists of Imago's
national Visual Art Competition at The Lookout Gallery at Regent College,
5800 University Blvd. (UBC campus). Over 30 works by Christian artists from
across the country on the theme of new life. The exhibit continues until Feb.
4th
Imago Dei: 'dialogues with heaven'
Sun. Feb. 2nd, 7pm. Fairview Baptist Church, 1708, W. 16th, Van.
I have been negotiating with a few churches about VAN being involved in a monthly worship service that would have the arts as one of the vital means of communication and interaction with the gospel.
Our first service will be held next Sun. Feb. 2nd , 7pm at Fairview Baptist
(1708 16th, between Burrard and Granville). We will begin experimenting with
liturgies and enlisting the help of VAN members who wish to present their
artistic 'offerings' as part of a liturgical service.
If you can join us this Sunday we'd be interested in any feedback you have.
Send it to this e-mail.
For those who have been submitting art for our 'Life of Christ' project, we
will begin including some of these works in future Imago Dei
services.
Five years ago we started thinking seriously about postmodernism and the need
for the gospel to be expressed in more diverse ways. I was aware that, among
those most gifted in the art of profound communication, were artists of all
types. Many of these however shared a feeling of alienation from the ministry
of their church and a frustration that came from a deep passion and vision
for communicating through their art, and the lack of opportunities to do so.
In response to this sense of need, and in faith that the spiritual gifts that
God has given to artists were being required by the kingdom, the beginnings
of what eventually evolved into the Vancouver Arts Network were formed.
We've been encouraged and affirmed over the past few years that the work we
are doing is bringing vision to artists about the spiritual value of their
gifts, and vision to the church about new ways to communicate the tone and
content of its message.
Through the network that has formed around our work, and the success of the
past two ManiFest Arts Festivals, as well as other initiatives we have produced,
we feel poised to continue growing with the momentum we have been enjoying.
We recognize at present that there is an opportunity to take things to another
level.
The board of the Vancouver Arts Network has affirmed my desire to commit more
time to developing this network and to seeing it grow both locally and in
its relationship to other arts expressions across Canada and internationally.
The monthly Imago Dei liturgical services starting next week are just one
example of the new strategies we want to develop to cultivate the arts and
to provide opportunities for them to be applied to the life of the church
and beyond.
In order to continue developing these directions we will need to concentrate
more on raising a financial support base. At present we rely on the financial
gifts of those who see what we are committed to and are excited by the potential
for the gospel that we represent. We appreciate the encouragement of this
financial support and how it has allowed us to develop thus far.
Those who have benefited from this ministry and who can see the opportunities
for VAN to grow in its mandate can express their support financially by sending
a tax-receiptable cheque to:
Imago's Vancouver Arts Network, P.O. Box 37503, North Van., B.C., V7M 3L7
IMAGO ARTS CENTRE
As part of our continuing vision to develop opportunities for artists to network
with one another and to apply their gifts let me share an ongoing vision God
has been giving me. One of my hopes for the not-so-distant future is to have
a physical location for our ministry in the form of an Imago Arts Centre in
Vancouver which will house a permanent art gallery. The location will double
as a performance/lecture space where workshops and courses can also be offered.
It would be wonderful to see a retail outlet, i.e. coffee house or book store,
associated with this vision as well.
CONTENTS
I have visited several warehouse spaces around town over the past year where
this could be viable and am praying for partnership with people who would
like to join me in seeing this vision realized.
If you share this vision, or know of opportunities that might facilitate it,
please let me know.
Last Word
We have worked hard for the past few years to get, very quickly, to the stage
we are at. We are encouraged by the signs of good fruit already borne and
feel God continuing to lead us towards becoming a more tangible and effective
presence in the kingdom life of the church.
That's not a bad reason to get up in the morning.
I look forward, as I'm sure you do, to seeing the arts increasingly become
an engaging voice of the gospel in this generation. Let our voice be heard
as we express the invitation of Jesus Christ to draw near.
As artists we have a glorious heritage of faith, expressed through many art
forms, and we ourselves form part of the continuity of that message as it
finds a new and winsome expression in each generation. Let us be prayerful
and make the most of every opportunity to develop our gifts profoundly-that
His Name be honoured.
Rob Des Cotes Director, Imago's Vancouver Arts Network (604) 987-7931
===================
Rob Des Cotes
Pastor, Imago Dei Christian Community
1290 Plateau Dr., North Van., B.C.
(604) 987-7931
Imago Dei Christian Community
a community drawn to Christ
Multi-campus Church plant in progress
WHAT
A new church, Imago Dei, identified initially as a multi-campus expression, emphasizing the 'incarnational church' by fostering Christian community in neighbourhoods around the Vancouver area. The prime meeting focus for the church at present is in a variety of house settings where worship, teaching, prayer and communion take place on a weekly basis.
HISTORY
Between 30-40 people have been meeting since the beginning of October, 2002, at our home in North Vancouver. As we have sought God together, the vision has emerged for a multi-campus expression of Christian community that I would oversee. We are presently preparing to launch a second house expression in the Mount Pleasant area of Vancouver later this month-one that will have a specifically seeker emphasis. We have also been encouraging another family who have recently moved into a co-op in the West End of Vancouver in their desire to see their house become a focus for Christian community and have already hosted a Christmas caroling event there. This week also saw the first meeting of a house fellowship group in the Kitsilano area with a focus on prayer.
STRATEGY
At present we continue to meet as a larger group at our house on a weekly basis in order to seek the Lord and to serve what he is encouraging in the lives of members of this community. As other campuses emerge in various locations I will continue to mentor the leaders and be creating resources for spiritual growth. We will also plan to meet, as combined campuses, partnering with the Vancouver Arts Network, to host monthly worship gatherings. These services will emphasize the presentation of the gospel in a contemporary voice, using the arts as a primary means of communication.
Because of the established reputation for quality arts presentation that the Vancouver Arts Network already has, we expect that these services will have a high profile in the city and will draw many people. I believe it will be an ideal event to which to bring seekers.
We will advertise these worship services through the Vancouver Arts Network newsletter which reaches over 400 people, as well as through a city-wide poster campaign. During these gatherings we will draw attention to the Imago Dei multi-campus expressions and encourage those who are unchurched to join one of them. One of our members is the team leader for Intervarsity's UBC ministry and we expect that these arts services will also become a focus point for this ministry.
At present we are negotiating with Fairview Baptist Church as a possible location to host these larger services. Fairview Baptist is ideally located at 16th and Burrard St. in Vancouver and would serve our present needs.
We are also planning for a second monthly service that will have more of an emphasis on drawing people closer and deeper in their relationship with Christ. If the arts service is seen more as a time for proclamation and celebration, this second service will be more intentionally prayerful in mood. Together these two services will reflect both the 'reaching out' and the 'drawing in' activities of the church.
Other strategies for the near future include a summer arts program for children as well as an environmental day camp that will introduce children to God, through nature. We will also draw upon outside resources for retreats and discipling people in Christian life and in Biblical theology.
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1. Imago Dei; ‘dialogues with heaven’
CONTENTS
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Imago Dei; ‘dialogues with heaven’
Just a bit of a recap from last Sunday’s Imago Dei ‘dialogues with heaven’ service for those who couldn’t be there. Once again these monthly church services are something we are committing to as an opportunity to experiment and develop the arts as one of the vital means of communication and interaction with the gospel. In this contemporary liturgical expression we are partnering with a Christian Community of house churches that is forming alongside our ministry called ‘Imago Dei’ (if you’d like more information about this, reply to this e-mail and we will send you a ‘Friends of Imago Dei’ write-up)
We had a good turnout for the first Imago Dei arts service on Feb. 2nd at Fairview Baptist. The liturgy began with an improvised ‘call to worship’ over which the first verses of Psalm 63’s ‘God you are my God and I will seek you…’ were read. As the improvisation continued singers began leading the congregation with the song ‘I will worship, with all of my heart.’
Genesis 1:1-8 was then read, accompanied by a synthesizer soundscape and projected images of the 6 days of creation. Other creative ‘offerings’ throughout the evening included Tonya Hagey’s deeply ministering dance to the Aaronic Blessing, performance/poetry by Barb Phillips, paintings by Janet Cummings, Jim Gladden and Judith Atkinson and a meditation by Judy Prendergast based on one of her paintings.
After an extended creative reading of the Lord’s Prayer Rick Poltaruk offered his song ‘Soften My Heart’ as a preparation for communion. Sheila Rosen’s poem ‘Reflections in Church’ and a beautiful Filipino version of ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’ sung by Tancho Baes concluded the communion.
The evening ended with a ‘bedtime story’ from the Narnia Chronicles read by Greg Reimer with live music accompaniment and projected images.
We are looking forward to our next arts-expressed service on Sun. Mar. 2nd (7:00pm at Fairview Baptist Church, 1708 W. 16th, between Granville and Burrard)
In between these monthly arts-expressed liturgies the Imago Dei community will also be hosting contemplative communion services on the third Sunday of each month. Members of VAN will also be participating in this ‘unplugged’ Sabbath expression. Anyone is invited to these services. It will be a time to simply come and seek God. Musicians will help lead us in some Taizé-styled songs accompanied by readings, poetry, etc.. We will also have communion. The goal of these contemplative services is that they be received as a gift from God—his invitation to come rest and be restored in him.
If you would like to attend this upcoming contemplative service please join us this Sunday (Feb. 16th @ 7:30pm) at Fairview Baptist Church, 1708 W. 16th in Van.
What’s Ups?
With all the good work of events-listing that initiatives like Ron Reed’s SOULFOOD, BC Christian News and Ron Shore’s vancouverchristianevents do, I’ve always felt it unnecessary to include arts events in this newsletter.
But, as I am aware of lots happening among us each month, it seems it would be a good way to help VAN members keep aware of each others’ activities. This newsletter reaches over 400 arts-interested people around the Lower Mainland. And for all of us, the more PR we can get the better.
Let me invite you to send your upcoming arts events (in easy-to-cut-and-paste one or two liners) to this e-mail and we will begin including them as an item in our newsletters. For our first What’s Ups? I have included just a few things I am aware that members are up to around town:
Feb 7; too late for this but, if you want to visit Joshua DeGroot’s studio to see his new paintings that range in style from Abstract to Realism, I’m sure he would let late-comers in. His phone # is 604-873-3309 or e-mail him at joshuadegroot@yahoo.com
Feb. 16th 4-7pm; C.A.S.T. a weekly Bible and acting study for actors. Pacific Theatre (rehearsal hall), 1440 W. 12th. You can e-mail Kelly Anne Little for more info at lady_kas@hotmail.com
Feb. 16 @ 7:30: Imago Dei Contemplative Service; Fairview Baptist, 1708 W. 16th, between Granville and Burrard St.
Mar. 2nd @ 7pm; Imago Dei; ‘dialogues with heaven’ arts-expressed liturgy; Fairview Baptist, 1708 W. 16th
Mar 10: 7:30 @ Broadway Church; Reel Light presents Daryl Bennett, who will share from his experience as a Vancouverite now living in L.A. and writing movie scores for film.
April 26 7:30pm; Imago Evening, featuring VAN artists (guests TBA). Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 1440 W. 12th, Van.
Last Word
From the beginning of our work with the Vancouver Arts Network, those of us who have been close to the defining process have said that what we wanted to see more than anything was the evidence of the Body of Christ being formed among us. More important than producing events or showcasing the artistic gifts of the people we serve we are looking for the threads that connect people to one another as the evidence of God’s knitting together of a spiritual community. We have been most encouraged by the evidence of this among those of you who have come to know each other more through our work.
The potential of deepening this sense of community at the level that we most have in common, i.e. the presence of God in our lives, is something that I hope to see result from our initiatives with the Imago Dei liturgies as we explore worship and prayer together through the arts.
Already we have seen how this initiative has inspired artists to create new works with this application in mind. I am looking forward to watch the Spirit weave together what he is whispering in each of our hearts into a corporate expression, jointly fit and held together by his stated purpose--to communicate the content and tone of the gospel to this generation.
We are all attracted to the arts and it is our challenge to be winsome as we lead ourselves and others towards the Beauty which lies behind all beauty we perceive. With this in mind I leave you with a quote about the final destination of beauty from our friend, C.S. Lewis:
“We do not merely see beauty, we want something else that can hardly be put into words—to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it… We are summoned to pass through this beauty, beyond her, onto that splendour which she so fitfully reflects.” C.S. Lewis
May we be a part of God’s invitation to all that they draw near and be united to the beauty that art alludes to.
1. Imago Dei Liturgy; ‘In Peace and War, Seek God’
3. “The Created Life” –an A Rocha/VAN Retreat
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Imago Dei Liturgy; ‘In Peace and War, Seek God’
Our next Imago Dei Liturgy is planned for this coming Sunday, Mar. 2nd, 7pm @ Fairview Baptist Church, 1708 W. 16th. (btw. Granville and Burrard).
Because of the impending war situation in Iraq we have felt God redirecting us from our initial plans towards making this Sunday more of a prayer vigil. We are calling the evening “In Peace and War, Seek God’ and are offering it as a time to worship and pray together in response to the present world tensions.
We are inviting artists to contribute prayers and reflections in the form of songs, poetry, dance, images, etc. The Scriptures that we are building the liturgy upon are the promise of Mat. 12:18-21, the confession of Isaiah 59:1-15 and the hope of Isaiah 2:2-5.
If you would like to submit works for consideration or to participate in this service please reply to this e-mail address. We realize that this is short notice but we believe God has led us to this re-orientation and are confident that he has already prepared the works he had in mind for this service.
Do join us for what we anticipate will be an important time for God to speak to us about our response to the world events that are unfolding.
+ + +
As part of our monthly commitment to present the gospel through the voice of art we are planning for a Saturday workshop on Mar. 15th from 1-5pm, (location TBA, depending on number of participants).
Through this workshop we will be examining the story of the Prodigal Son and its relationship to the ebb and flow of our life with God. This will be the theme for our next arts liturgy scheduled for Sun. Apr. 6th
We are looking forward to the creative insights into this story that this workshop will provide and perhaps even some works of art that can be included in the service. The afternoon will include discussion as well as opportunities to work and interact on this theme in your respective art forms.
Anyone wishing to participate should reply to this e-mail.
+ + +
‘The Created Life’ –a weekend celebrating creation, creativity and community. That’s how we’re describing an exciting retreat weekend planned for Aug. 29th to Sept. 1st, 2003 at Pioneer Pacific Camp on Thetis Island.
VAN is partnering with A Rocha, an organization of Christians working in conservation (www.arocha.org), to present a rich time of fellowship, not only with each other, but with God with whom we share one of the most delightful family traits—the ability and joy of being creative.
Here’s the write-up as it appears in last month’s A Rocha newsletter:
‘The Created Life”….. This celebration of creation and the creative arts, rooted in contemplative Christian spirituality, is jointly hosted by A Rocha and the Vancouver Arts Network. The weekend includes lots of live music, great food, creative arts workshops and opportunities to enjoy creation on land and sea, as well as finding times for quiet prayer. Special guests include Loren and Mary Ruth Wilkinson. Families, couples and singles are welcome. Mark the date on your calendars and watch for more details soon!
+ + +
(Please send your upcoming arts events in ‘easy-to-cut-and-paste’ short form to this e-mail and we will include them in our next newsletter.)
Mar. 2nd @ 7pm; Imago Dei; ‘In Peace and War, Seek God’ an arts-expressed liturgy; Fairview Baptist, 1708 W. 16th
Mar. 9th @ 7pm: Rick Poltaruk kicks off his western Canada tour and the release of his new album ‘Fishin’ Mission’ at Lynn Valley Full Gospel Church, 1160 E. 29th St. North Van. Admission is free.
Mar 10: 7:30 @ Broadway Church; Reel Light presents Daryl Bennett, who will share from his experience as a Vancouverite now living in L.A. and writing movie scores for film.
Mar. 15th: 1-5pm: Artists’ workshop on ‘Prodigal Son’ theme. Location TBA. Reply to this e-mail if interested.
Mar. 16th @ 7pm: Imago Dei Contemplative liturgy; Fairview Baptist, 1708 W. 16th, Van.
Mar. 17-21: Spring Break Arts Camp for youth (ages 12-25), looking for artists to help with acting, video making, sound, etc. For info contact Connie Jakab (rcjakab@telus.net) or phone 604-307-5477
Apr. 6 @ 7pm: Imago Dei: ‘Coming Home…the prodigal son story
like you’ve never heard it before’, Fairview Baptist Church, 1708 W. 16th, Van.
April 26th @ 7:30pm; Imago Evening, featuring VAN artists (guests TBA). Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 1440 W. 12th, Van.
+ + +
Networking with creative-types, partnering with other organizations, developing relationships with churches in the area, digging into gospel themes with other artists, seeking God in all things. Nice work if you can get it!
I thank God for his continued support of what we are doing and the faith and vision he gives us for its ongoing growth.
Rob Des Cotes
Pastor, Imago Dei Christian Community
(604) 987-7931
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