July 2024
“Beauty is oxygen because it comes from the lungs of God.” - Wesley Vander Lugt
Thank you:
I wanted to thank you for being such a blessing to me! It might seem like a little thing, but you have watched my artistic dreams grow and you have supported them. I would like to update you on what I have been doing, what my next steps are and how we might collaborate in the future.
Beauty From Ashes and Exciting News:
I am excited to share I have been admitted to Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS) where I intend to get a Master of Arts in Theological Studies followed by a Doctorate in Ministry with an arts focus. In addition to receiving , I will be able to take additional courses through the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium. Through my training, I hope to make my work more purposeful and effective. Though this is a colossal goal, I am over the moon to have this opportunity.
With the intense rise in social isolation, depression and anxiety, our spirits have been down trodden and the toll has been tremendous. Over the last 5 years I have been creating artwork to heal suffering through faith and the arts. Art is more than a mere “thing”. Creating is an expression of love, and art serves as a modality for connection, conversation and care. Art is a gift God has given us to express his goodness and infuse hope into the world. My artwork is meant to build and tend community. Through beauty, I hope to help people experience a sense of peace, value and belonging.
A Purposeful Vocation:
Currently I use my artwork in five distinct and purposeful ways:
1. Artistically address matters of faith and mental health
2. Infuse hope to the community through faith-inspired public art installations
3. Foster relationships in the Upper Valley through art-filled community events
4. Enhance hospitality and encourage neighbors caring for neighbors by creating smaller works of art for sale.
5. Inspire, educate, and enable others to hone their creativity and gain a deep sense of belonging.
I intend to continue with this mission while attending GCTS. To keep you informed on the details of these things, I will release my first monthly newsletter in August.
A Unique Partnership:
I have been accepted into GCTS’s unique Partnership Program. As part of this partnership, I received a full scholarship and I have committed to several additional responsibilities.
In addition to my required seminary classes, I will be taking a financial course every semester. These are intended to teach sound financial stewardship on a personal and corporate level. They will also financially train me to work with and for non-profits responsibly.
Secondly, I will enter into a professional mentorship to hone my skills at building connections and collaborations within the church and the community beyond. As an artist, this mentorship dovetails my vocational vision and will drastically hone my sensitivity to the world, making my service more impactful.
How You Can Help:
Lastly, I will be creating a support team to prayerfully and financially join me throughout my time at GCTS. The money raised will be given directly to the Partnership Program and is fully tax-deductible. In the next year, two of my children will be in college. I would be unable to afford seminary without this program. It is invaluable to me personally, but also to the church because of its tremendous financial and developmental provision. Gordon Conwell is committed to raising up thoughtful, effective leadership through careful training in order to share the gospel. This program provides training above and beyond a typical seminary experience and cultivates robust, wise-hearted leadership.
I would love for you to join my support team. Would you consider praying for me and making a monthly or annual donation? I am hoping to raise $15,500 per year to recuperate a portion of the gift I received and enable others to utilize this opportunity. To donate, please visit https://www.gordonconwell.edu/giving/partnership/.
Just as God hovered in the beginning over all the chaos and nothingness while he imagined what good things to create, we are privileged to join together to imagine what good things we might make and do. We have been invited to partner with him to create something transcending. How awesome! Thank you for dreaming these big dreams with me!