By simply looking at one of J. Douglas Thompson’s paintings (http://jdthompson.net/index.html) , one can feel the wind against their face or the texture of the ground—be it stone or earth—under their feet. Doug’s larger-scale paintings—often on canvas or masonite board—depict the textures of the land whether it’s found along the north shore of Lake Superior, the west coast of Vancouver Island or the high country far above the tree line in the Rockies.
Without sound techs, churchgoers wouldn’t be able to hear the worship music. Without lighting techs, we wouldn’t be able to see the pastor or the worship team. And without computer techs, the words to songs and the sermon PowerPoint presentation wouldn’t appear on the screens. It’s this technical work of many behind-the-scenes staff and volunteers that makes our Sunday worship experience what it is. And these tech-savvy people are constantly honing their skills and learning about the latest equipment and programs available.
Tonight’s guest grew up in a small Saskatchewan farming town. The surprise gift of a guitar when she was 17 set her on her way to bringing the songs she’d been writing for the five previous years to life. With a second CD under her belt Jennifer Jade Kerr (http://www.jenniferjadekerr.com/) sings about personal challenges and her own struggles. She’s on the phone from her home in Kelowna, B.C.
Five years ago a group in Port Perry wanted to create a festival that encouraged, enabled and equipped churches in the Scugog area to glorify God through music and the arts. The David Festival (http://davidfestival.ca/) has since has expanded each year in both the workshops it presents and the numbers of people coming from outside the Scugog area. Karen Stiller, a writer and Port Perry resident is on the phone with talks with us about the David Festival.
Tonight’s guest grew up in a household where Ron Sider’s groundbreaking book Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger influenced how the family lived out it’s faith. But it wasn’t until Beth McLean Wiest, who was the director of a secular choral group at the time, was challenged to really live out her faith while watching other secular businesspeople doing more than her.
Does Hell exist? Kevin Miller was part of a production team for a documentary that explores this very question. Along with an eclectic group of authors, theologians, pastors and social commentators, the Abbotsford, B.C. scriptwriter produced Hellbound? which, the website (http://www.hellboundthemovie.com/) says, will make sure you never look at hell the same way again.
This year, visual artist Phil Irish (http://www.philirish.com/) completed his Masters of Fine Arts degree, hosted the inaugural exhibit of his thesis work at Coopers Fine Art in Toronto and is ending the year with another showing of Makeshift—only this time a little closer to home. The exhibit, which received a positive review from The Record this past weekend will be on display at the Cambridge Gallery in Preston until January 6.
Journey to Bethlehem with the shepherds featuring the music of Steve Bell, Bruce Cockburn, Carolyn Arends, Trevor Dick and downhere.
Tune in to Arts Connection each Thursday at 10 p.m. on Faith FM 94.3 or check out the webcast at www.faithfm.org.
We Make Stuff Volume 1 is, according to the website (http://wemakestuff.tumblr.com/), “a stunning book that will showcase 100 artists and innovators from Vancouver exploring the collision of faith and creativity.” Fiona Moes was one of the key editors of the collaborative project and she talks about the project.
Tune in to Arts Connection each Thursday at 10 p.m. on Faith FM 94.3 or check out the webcast at www.faithfm.org.
