Lenten Reflection Board becomes communion table at Lee Road UMC

By the Rev. Rusty Godfrey

TAYLORS—Inspired by their weekly “Moments of Art,” the people of Lee Road United Methodist Church created a collective collage during the six Sundays in Lent.

A series of six prompts was given to the people by the Rev. Rusty Godfrey during each Sunday in Lent. During the service, people got up and taped either a word or an image to the board. Blank index cards and a choice of images were provided for those who did not bring a prepared response.

Questions included: What do you need to give up for Lent in order to draw closer to Christ? Where have you seen people acting as the hands and feet of Christ this week? What word drains you of spiritual energy? What do you think of when you consider the lordship of Jesus?

Local artist and “Moment of Art” coordinator Denise Wilson arranged the images and words into a collage and sealed it with Mod Podge. Church usher and Finance Committee Chair Gene Turner played a big role by preparing the canvas with gesso and placing a wooden frame around the completed artwork.

For Maundy Thursday, April 17, during a joint service between Lee Road UMC and St. Matthew UMC, Taylors, people sat in groups of 10 around the artwork as a table and were served communion by Godfrey and Dr. Amenti Sujai. Thus, the collage became a living work of art.

Godfrey received this idea from attending a webinar sponsored by ClergyEducation.com called “Small Church III: Even More Lessons Learned from Small Churches” with author Teresa Stewart.

“The whole experience was hands-on, and it made our Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday so powerful and meaningful,” Godfrey said. ”Art is a God-given, inspirational tool that can bring us closer to the divine.”