Skipping Angel

09/03/2009

'Skipping Angel' created by Jacqui Tyson at the recent Living Theology Today residential weekend at Ushaw College.

Twenty students came together with course leader Canon Jim Francis and chaplain Mary Barr to explore the relationship of creativity and spirituality with photographer Robert Cooper.

The residential weekend was part of an integrated programme of study of Living Theology Today.

Barbara Stephenson, one of the participants, writes:

Whether participants came to the Living Theology Today course via the advert in Newslink, as a result of the Bishop’s Faith and Life course or by the prompting of friends or clergy come they did.

Some tentatively exploring a vocation, others because it sounded interesting or because it seemed the right thing to do at this point in their personal spiritual life.

From a beautiful autumn day, through wind, sleet, fog and the dark of midwinter members have gathered each week at St Giles Centre in Durham. Led by Dr Jim Francis and gently shepherded by Mary Barr, the course chaplain, they have listened to a variety of excellent speakers and discussed [or was it argued about] many different topics. Everyone taking away something different from each session.

The recent residential weekend at Ushaw College was an opportunity to pause, take stock and spend time together away from other commitments.
The weekend was entitled ‘What I do is me, for that I came’, and was led by Reverend Robert Cooper. Participants were asked to bring a digital camera and a personal creative icon. The sharing of the latter was the starting point of the weekend and proved to be fascinating and sometimes revealing.
Next day after a presentation from Robert people were sent out in groups to use their cameras and their senses.

No one, complete novices or seriously experienced photographers could have foreseen how this would develop [excuse the pun] and lead to further thought and discussion.

The creative sessions were wrapped about with some very rewarding worship. The study side of the activities finished on Sunday morning with a session of ‘play’ followed by a presentation by Robert of everyone’s work in his own particular interpretation.‘ Play’ was widely interpreted and took everyone by surprise and walking boots and cameras had to be retrieved from already packed car boots by those who chose to play outside. For some the topics of the previous day continued to work in their minds leading them further. For others, entirely new areas opened up. Finally everything culminated in the sharing of the Eucharist.

It was an enjoyable and successful weekend producing ideas, provoking thought and encouraging fellowship.

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