A group of artists spent the last weekend of July in an atmosphere of beauty and community ,exploring the issues of beauty, brokenness, truth, freedom and healing in various creative ways. The retreat was called Untitled: Burn and Ancient Path collaborated with John Daniels and his group Culture Changers as well as many other artists to make this weekend memorable.
On Friday morning, Mikaela Clark and Mackenzie Valley of Without Words Movement and AP President Patt Wadenpfuhl set about transforming the sanctuary stage with random items such as paper parasols, driftwood and seashells, old ladders, white lights, bamboo, hand-woven baskets and drums collected from around the world. There was no plan – we just played until we liked what we saw. In the meantime, John and friends hauled in large comfy couches, rockers and end tables; with the addition of some throw rugs, pillows, lantern lights, art and even a water fountain a beautiful and warm community space was made ready.
The artists arrived on Friday evening for their first meal together in the beautiful community house at the Family Ministry Center. Fourteen artists lived in the community house for the weekend, sharing rooms, meal preparations and clean-up as well as meals and late-night conversations. Other artists and friends joined the group daily for individual sessions and meals.
Friday night began with a beautiful and innovative performance by Matthew Anderson and his band Strongheart creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. Patt Wadenpfuhl then spoke about understanding out true identity and seeing ourselves as we were created to be – as God’s workmanship, his crowning achievement, his masterpiece. Afterwards the artists curled up in various corners and couches, journaling, talking with and praying for each other.
After the community breakfast on Saturday morning, we creatively explored the issue of the lies that bind us and the truth that sets us free. Mikaela and Mackenzie of Without Words Movement then moved the group to their studio for a session exploring the broken places of our lives using expressive movement. The afternoon ended with a discussion on freedom and an improvisational drum/percussion and dance circle that released everyone into deeper levels of joy and freedom.
On Saturday evening other artists joined us for the community meal, a time of worship and Patt Wadenpfuhl’s teaching on Healing the Wounded Heart. A deep and transparent time of ministry ensued for several hours as people opened up in an atmosphere of mutual trust in the closeness and beauty of God’s presence. Conversations went on into the early mornings – some about global justice, others about art and life. What became obvious was that there were no more strangers in the group. Everyone felt accepted and heard and valued – because they were.
After our Sunday morning community meal (with our Malawi kids CD Ana a Chiyembekezo playing in the background! ) we headed back to the main space in the cathedral for a rich and free time of worship, followed by a comfortable living room conversation. One by one, each person freely communicated the ways in which God met them during the weekend, the specific lies that had been exposed and/or laid to rest. We had all experienced His loving presence. We learned from each other, inspired by the beauty around us as well as the beauty we discovered in each other.
Visit the Ancient Path Flickr page to see lots of great photos from this weekend. Many thanks to Family Ministry Center and Culture Changers for inviting Ancient Path to participate in this artist retreat. We look forward to many more to come!
