I'm delighted to bring you another episode of the Adventures in Arting Podcast!
If you do not see the podcast player above, please click on this link. You can listen to a podcast anywhere and at any time. It is a recording that is available to you whenever you'd like to listen. If you'd like to download it to your iTunes library, click here. You can also pause and rewind or fast forward as you desire. I like to listen to podcasts while I'm making art. It's a little like hanging out with friends while you art.
Today we're talking with Kimberly VerSteeg:
Kimberly is a professional actress who currently works as an Event Planner. She and I have worked together on many plays over the years and become good friends over that time.
On the podcast we discuss the idea of "arts in worship." At Kimberly's church (Fort Washington Collegiate Church) they pair art (visual arts, dance, singing, theatre, film, etc.) with every sermon. Here's a video that shares a portion of their recent Easter service:
In the podcast we also discuss how the notion of "theatre, therapy, theology" and how art and God and self-reflection and story telling are all intertwined.
What are your thoughts on the topic?
All podcasts are archived here. Find the show on iTunes here.
the best message I’ve heard in a while, and a great way to start May 1!
the best message I’ve heard in a while, and a great way to start May 1!
the best message I’ve heard in a while, and a great way to start May 1!
the best message I’ve heard in a while, and a great way to start May 1!
the best message I’ve heard in a while, and a great way to start May 1!
I really enjoyed the video of the worship service. TFS
Intertwined they are in my book.
I really enjoyed the video of the worship service. TFS
Intertwined they are in my book.
I really enjoyed the video of the worship service. TFS
Intertwined they are in my book.
I really enjoyed the video of the worship service. TFS
Intertwined they are in my book.
I really enjoyed the video of the worship service. TFS
Intertwined they are in my book.
My art often intertwines with my prayers…they are both from a deep place. I like to write out Scripture in my journal, as that helps me to remember it. God is the Creator, and we are made in His image. The first verse in the Bible, and in the Torah, is “In the beginning God created…” I love that.
My art often intertwines with my prayers…they are both from a deep place. I like to write out Scripture in my journal, as that helps me to remember it. God is the Creator, and we are made in His image. The first verse in the Bible, and in the Torah, is “In the beginning God created…” I love that.
My art often intertwines with my prayers…they are both from a deep place. I like to write out Scripture in my journal, as that helps me to remember it. God is the Creator, and we are made in His image. The first verse in the Bible, and in the Torah, is “In the beginning God created…” I love that.
My art often intertwines with my prayers…they are both from a deep place. I like to write out Scripture in my journal, as that helps me to remember it. God is the Creator, and we are made in His image. The first verse in the Bible, and in the Torah, is “In the beginning God created…” I love that.
My art often intertwines with my prayers…they are both from a deep place. I like to write out Scripture in my journal, as that helps me to remember it. God is the Creator, and we are made in His image. The first verse in the Bible, and in the Torah, is “In the beginning God created…” I love that.
Creativity and worship go hand in hand! My daughter and I attend an amazing weekend retreat every spring called “Create In Me” at Lutheridge Retreat and Conference center in Arden, NC. The mountians are beautiful in the spring, God’s creativity at it’s best! We use art, theater, music as part of our worship each morning and every evening. Definitely a great retreat and it’s open to all regardless of denomonation.
Creativity and worship go hand in hand! My daughter and I attend an amazing weekend retreat every spring called “Create In Me” at Lutheridge Retreat and Conference center in Arden, NC. The mountians are beautiful in the spring, God’s creativity at it’s best! We use art, theater, music as part of our worship each morning and every evening. Definitely a great retreat and it’s open to all regardless of denomonation.
Creativity and worship go hand in hand! My daughter and I attend an amazing weekend retreat every spring called “Create In Me” at Lutheridge Retreat and Conference center in Arden, NC. The mountians are beautiful in the spring, God’s creativity at it’s best! We use art, theater, music as part of our worship each morning and every evening. Definitely a great retreat and it’s open to all regardless of denomonation.
Creativity and worship go hand in hand! My daughter and I attend an amazing weekend retreat every spring called “Create In Me” at Lutheridge Retreat and Conference center in Arden, NC. The mountians are beautiful in the spring, God’s creativity at it’s best! We use art, theater, music as part of our worship each morning and every evening. Definitely a great retreat and it’s open to all regardless of denomonation.
Creativity and worship go hand in hand! My daughter and I attend an amazing weekend retreat every spring called “Create In Me” at Lutheridge Retreat and Conference center in Arden, NC. The mountians are beautiful in the spring, God’s creativity at it’s best! We use art, theater, music as part of our worship each morning and every evening. Definitely a great retreat and it’s open to all regardless of denomonation.
for me, God is in everything AND I am so grateful for His creativity shining thru! ;D
for me, God is in everything AND I am so grateful for His creativity shining thru! ;D
for me, God is in everything AND I am so grateful for His creativity shining thru! ;D
for me, God is in everything AND I am so grateful for His creativity shining thru! ;D
for me, God is in everything AND I am so grateful for His creativity shining thru! ;D
Hi Julie, thank you for sharing this. I found it interesting and thought-provoking. My only concern is that I think we are gradually moving to a more passive style of worship for the congregation where it becomes more about a performance by ‘experts’ at the front of the church rather than a communal act of worship involving the whole congregation. This is what used to happen hundreds of years ago when only the priests could read and sing in Latin and everyone else was just an observer. I am really interested in how we can involve the congregation in creative acts of worship even when they don’t think of themselves as creative. Any thoughts?
Hi Julie, thank you for sharing this. I found it interesting and thought-provoking. My only concern is that I think we are gradually moving to a more passive style of worship for the congregation where it becomes more about a performance by ‘experts’ at the front of the church rather than a communal act of worship involving the whole congregation. This is what used to happen hundreds of years ago when only the priests could read and sing in Latin and everyone else was just an observer. I am really interested in how we can involve the congregation in creative acts of worship even when they don’t think of themselves as creative. Any thoughts?
Hi Julie, thank you for sharing this. I found it interesting and thought-provoking. My only concern is that I think we are gradually moving to a more passive style of worship for the congregation where it becomes more about a performance by ‘experts’ at the front of the church rather than a communal act of worship involving the whole congregation. This is what used to happen hundreds of years ago when only the priests could read and sing in Latin and everyone else was just an observer. I am really interested in how we can involve the congregation in creative acts of worship even when they don’t think of themselves as creative. Any thoughts?
Hi Julie, thank you for sharing this. I found it interesting and thought-provoking. My only concern is that I think we are gradually moving to a more passive style of worship for the congregation where it becomes more about a performance by ‘experts’ at the front of the church rather than a communal act of worship involving the whole congregation. This is what used to happen hundreds of years ago when only the priests could read and sing in Latin and everyone else was just an observer. I am really interested in how we can involve the congregation in creative acts of worship even when they don’t think of themselves as creative. Any thoughts?
Hi Julie, thank you for sharing this. I found it interesting and thought-provoking. My only concern is that I think we are gradually moving to a more passive style of worship for the congregation where it becomes more about a performance by ‘experts’ at the front of the church rather than a communal act of worship involving the whole congregation. This is what used to happen hundreds of years ago when only the priests could read and sing in Latin and everyone else was just an observer. I am really interested in how we can involve the congregation in creative acts of worship even when they don’t think of themselves as creative. Any thoughts?
This is truly thought provoking. I think it always helps to try different methods of teaching about any subject, including scriptures. Many people learn better by seeing and doing or the hands on approach, rather than by only reading text. I am definitely am one of those people. This performance was beautiful and creative and I am sure that everyone involved in the planning/performance, loves sharing their talent and God given gifts. The congregation must really look forward to what will be presented to them. Plus, You certainly wouldn’t fall asleep during this type of sermon 🙂 Everyone benefits.
This is truly thought provoking. I think it always helps to try different methods of teaching about any subject, including scriptures. Many people learn better by seeing and doing or the hands on approach, rather than by only reading text. I am definitely am one of those people. This performance was beautiful and creative and I am sure that everyone involved in the planning/performance, loves sharing their talent and God given gifts. The congregation must really look forward to what will be presented to them. Plus, You certainly wouldn’t fall asleep during this type of sermon 🙂 Everyone benefits.
This is truly thought provoking. I think it always helps to try different methods of teaching about any subject, including scriptures. Many people learn better by seeing and doing or the hands on approach, rather than by only reading text. I am definitely am one of those people. This performance was beautiful and creative and I am sure that everyone involved in the planning/performance, loves sharing their talent and God given gifts. The congregation must really look forward to what will be presented to them. Plus, You certainly wouldn’t fall asleep during this type of sermon 🙂 Everyone benefits.
This is truly thought provoking. I think it always helps to try different methods of teaching about any subject, including scriptures. Many people learn better by seeing and doing or the hands on approach, rather than by only reading text. I am definitely am one of those people. This performance was beautiful and creative and I am sure that everyone involved in the planning/performance, loves sharing their talent and God given gifts. The congregation must really look forward to what will be presented to them. Plus, You certainly wouldn’t fall asleep during this type of sermon 🙂 Everyone benefits.
This is truly thought provoking. I think it always helps to try different methods of teaching about any subject, including scriptures. Many people learn better by seeing and doing or the hands on approach, rather than by only reading text. I am definitely am one of those people. This performance was beautiful and creative and I am sure that everyone involved in the planning/performance, loves sharing their talent and God given gifts. The congregation must really look forward to what will be presented to them. Plus, You certainly wouldn’t fall asleep during this type of sermon 🙂 Everyone benefits.
Fantastic. I am not a church going person, but have been to several sermons as a guest of church going friends or family over the years. This is a church that could speak to my soul. As did the church service at Martin Luther King’s former church that I went to in Atlanta once, and the black Baptist church I sneaked into, filled with passionate gospel singing, when I needed a break from my sweet grandmother’s loud tone deaf singing while visiting her church. In all religious gatherings, for me, the singing or the chanting (in the Eastern religion I now follow) can open me up to hearing the Teaching. The dance in this video was fabulous too and that would really get me going! Can’t wait to get to hear your podcast.
Fantastic. I am not a church going person, but have been to several sermons as a guest of church going friends or family over the years. This is a church that could speak to my soul. As did the church service at Martin Luther King’s former church that I went to in Atlanta once, and the black Baptist church I sneaked into, filled with passionate gospel singing, when I needed a break from my sweet grandmother’s loud tone deaf singing while visiting her church. In all religious gatherings, for me, the singing or the chanting (in the Eastern religion I now follow) can open me up to hearing the Teaching. The dance in this video was fabulous too and that would really get me going! Can’t wait to get to hear your podcast.
Fantastic. I am not a church going person, but have been to several sermons as a guest of church going friends or family over the years. This is a church that could speak to my soul. As did the church service at Martin Luther King’s former church that I went to in Atlanta once, and the black Baptist church I sneaked into, filled with passionate gospel singing, when I needed a break from my sweet grandmother’s loud tone deaf singing while visiting her church. In all religious gatherings, for me, the singing or the chanting (in the Eastern religion I now follow) can open me up to hearing the Teaching. The dance in this video was fabulous too and that would really get me going! Can’t wait to get to hear your podcast.
Fantastic. I am not a church going person, but have been to several sermons as a guest of church going friends or family over the years. This is a church that could speak to my soul. As did the church service at Martin Luther King’s former church that I went to in Atlanta once, and the black Baptist church I sneaked into, filled with passionate gospel singing, when I needed a break from my sweet grandmother’s loud tone deaf singing while visiting her church. In all religious gatherings, for me, the singing or the chanting (in the Eastern religion I now follow) can open me up to hearing the Teaching. The dance in this video was fabulous too and that would really get me going! Can’t wait to get to hear your podcast.
Fantastic. I am not a church going person, but have been to several sermons as a guest of church going friends or family over the years. This is a church that could speak to my soul. As did the church service at Martin Luther King’s former church that I went to in Atlanta once, and the black Baptist church I sneaked into, filled with passionate gospel singing, when I needed a break from my sweet grandmother’s loud tone deaf singing while visiting her church. In all religious gatherings, for me, the singing or the chanting (in the Eastern religion I now follow) can open me up to hearing the Teaching. The dance in this video was fabulous too and that would really get me going! Can’t wait to get to hear your podcast.
Thank you Julie and Kimberly,I consider myself spiritual, not religious. It isn’t just semantics either. Being ministered to or lectured about good and evil just doesn’t seem relevant in this age and at my age. Having an opening to expand into is what I consider relevant. Music, movement and visual ‘art’ is what allows this for me. Thank you for having a church that provides this (at least takes this into account) sometimes better and sometimes not – the intention does make a difference. Now I have a moment while paint is drying to watch the video!
Thank you Julie and Kimberly,I consider myself spiritual, not religious. It isn’t just semantics either. Being ministered to or lectured about good and evil just doesn’t seem relevant in this age and at my age. Having an opening to expand into is what I consider relevant. Music, movement and visual ‘art’ is what allows this for me. Thank you for having a church that provides this (at least takes this into account) sometimes better and sometimes not – the intention does make a difference. Now I have a moment while paint is drying to watch the video!
Thank you Julie and Kimberly,I consider myself spiritual, not religious. It isn’t just semantics either. Being ministered to or lectured about good and evil just doesn’t seem relevant in this age and at my age. Having an opening to expand into is what I consider relevant. Music, movement and visual ‘art’ is what allows this for me. Thank you for having a church that provides this (at least takes this into account) sometimes better and sometimes not – the intention does make a difference. Now I have a moment while paint is drying to watch the video!
Thank you Julie and Kimberly,I consider myself spiritual, not religious. It isn’t just semantics either. Being ministered to or lectured about good and evil just doesn’t seem relevant in this age and at my age. Having an opening to expand into is what I consider relevant. Music, movement and visual ‘art’ is what allows this for me. Thank you for having a church that provides this (at least takes this into account) sometimes better and sometimes not – the intention does make a difference. Now I have a moment while paint is drying to watch the video!
Thank you Julie and Kimberly,I consider myself spiritual, not religious. It isn’t just semantics either. Being ministered to or lectured about good and evil just doesn’t seem relevant in this age and at my age. Having an opening to expand into is what I consider relevant. Music, movement and visual ‘art’ is what allows this for me. Thank you for having a church that provides this (at least takes this into account) sometimes better and sometimes not – the intention does make a difference. Now I have a moment while paint is drying to watch the video!
I’m not answering the question directly but making a related comment about something that has bothered me for quite some time about certain other blogs, not this one.
I read art blogs and art books to learn about art, not to read about religion or belief systems or politics. Just as I think it is rude for someone who is in a group of people they don’t know to bring up controversial topics, I think it is rude for an author I thought was writing about or displaying their art to suddenly surprise me with other topics. I’m not saying an artist shouldn’t express their beliefs in their art, just that they should warn the reader in advance the same way responsible people include NSFW warnings with certain links.
I’m not answering the question directly but making a related comment about something that has bothered me for quite some time about certain other blogs, not this one.
I read art blogs and art books to learn about art, not to read about religion or belief systems or politics. Just as I think it is rude for someone who is in a group of people they don’t know to bring up controversial topics, I think it is rude for an author I thought was writing about or displaying their art to suddenly surprise me with other topics. I’m not saying an artist shouldn’t express their beliefs in their art, just that they should warn the reader in advance the same way responsible people include NSFW warnings with certain links.
I’m not answering the question directly but making a related comment about something that has bothered me for quite some time about certain other blogs, not this one.
I read art blogs and art books to learn about art, not to read about religion or belief systems or politics. Just as I think it is rude for someone who is in a group of people they don’t know to bring up controversial topics, I think it is rude for an author I thought was writing about or displaying their art to suddenly surprise me with other topics. I’m not saying an artist shouldn’t express their beliefs in their art, just that they should warn the reader in advance the same way responsible people include NSFW warnings with certain links.
I’m not answering the question directly but making a related comment about something that has bothered me for quite some time about certain other blogs, not this one.
I read art blogs and art books to learn about art, not to read about religion or belief systems or politics. Just as I think it is rude for someone who is in a group of people they don’t know to bring up controversial topics, I think it is rude for an author I thought was writing about or displaying their art to suddenly surprise me with other topics. I’m not saying an artist shouldn’t express their beliefs in their art, just that they should warn the reader in advance the same way responsible people include NSFW warnings with certain links.
I’m not answering the question directly but making a related comment about something that has bothered me for quite some time about certain other blogs, not this one.
I read art blogs and art books to learn about art, not to read about religion or belief systems or politics. Just as I think it is rude for someone who is in a group of people they don’t know to bring up controversial topics, I think it is rude for an author I thought was writing about or displaying their art to suddenly surprise me with other topics. I’m not saying an artist shouldn’t express their beliefs in their art, just that they should warn the reader in advance the same way responsible people include NSFW warnings with certain links.
what a fascinating podcast! my mind was racing, yet again, about the learning process as related to multiple intelligences, and the expressions through that. i hadn’t thought of the feeling sad or uncomfortable, as a need for change. this idea of connections with others and friendships. you rock. 🙂 kimberly, it’s nice that you’ve found such a place where you can celebrate your passion. julie, i started wondering what kinds of plays you used to direct and whether they would appeal to us in the same way your visual art does? or even if you think you might direct again someday?
what a fascinating podcast! my mind was racing, yet again, about the learning process as related to multiple intelligences, and the expressions through that. i hadn’t thought of the feeling sad or uncomfortable, as a need for change. this idea of connections with others and friendships. you rock. 🙂 kimberly, it’s nice that you’ve found such a place where you can celebrate your passion. julie, i started wondering what kinds of plays you used to direct and whether they would appeal to us in the same way your visual art does? or even if you think you might direct again someday?
what a fascinating podcast! my mind was racing, yet again, about the learning process as related to multiple intelligences, and the expressions through that. i hadn’t thought of the feeling sad or uncomfortable, as a need for change. this idea of connections with others and friendships. you rock. 🙂 kimberly, it’s nice that you’ve found such a place where you can celebrate your passion. julie, i started wondering what kinds of plays you used to direct and whether they would appeal to us in the same way your visual art does? or even if you think you might direct again someday?
what a fascinating podcast! my mind was racing, yet again, about the learning process as related to multiple intelligences, and the expressions through that. i hadn’t thought of the feeling sad or uncomfortable, as a need for change. this idea of connections with others and friendships. you rock. 🙂 kimberly, it’s nice that you’ve found such a place where you can celebrate your passion. julie, i started wondering what kinds of plays you used to direct and whether they would appeal to us in the same way your visual art does? or even if you think you might direct again someday?
what a fascinating podcast! my mind was racing, yet again, about the learning process as related to multiple intelligences, and the expressions through that. i hadn’t thought of the feeling sad or uncomfortable, as a need for change. this idea of connections with others and friendships. you rock. 🙂 kimberly, it’s nice that you’ve found such a place where you can celebrate your passion. julie, i started wondering what kinds of plays you used to direct and whether they would appeal to us in the same way your visual art does? or even if you think you might direct again someday?
My thoughts? I love your podcasts and listen all the way thru – but this is one I won’t be listening to. I want my thoughts to be inspired, not controlled.
My thoughts? I love your podcasts and listen all the way thru – but this is one I won’t be listening to. I want my thoughts to be inspired, not controlled.
My thoughts? I love your podcasts and listen all the way thru – but this is one I won’t be listening to. I want my thoughts to be inspired, not controlled.
My thoughts? I love your podcasts and listen all the way thru – but this is one I won’t be listening to. I want my thoughts to be inspired, not controlled.
My thoughts? I love your podcasts and listen all the way thru – but this is one I won’t be listening to. I want my thoughts to be inspired, not controlled.