ART IN OUR REGION: KEN KNOWLTON

Art is an important part of our church community and is becoming an increasingly important part of our wider community. One of our church leaders is a prolific artist, who just hung a show of his newest work at one of our local libraries. Brenda, Amanda and I attended the open reception he and his wife Betty held the other night.

Here is the process Ken follows as he works.

Here is some of his work.

The picture in the bottom right corner is the photo from which the canvas was developed.

Here is Ken’s artist statement

And here is the man himself!

Ken with some fans.

Ken with his sisters.

It was a great show!

GENERAL COUNCIL AND NATIONAL YOUTH CONVENTION DAY 3

Today started out in prayer. I was up as usual by about 3 A.M. and did my private prayer time and then joined in online with our churches Tuesday Jesus 45 prayer meeting from 6-6:45 A.M.

Normally I run this meeting, but for the next three meetings Deacon Jody Clapp will be filling in for me and I will just attend remotely.

I watched the sunrise from my balcony in Florida as we prayed together.

After prayer it was breakfast and then morning devotionals with Pastor Amanda , James and Sadie, the teenagers who are competing in the National Fine Arts portion of the convention.

We are reading from Psalm 119 this week. Here is the portion we read and prayed over today:

33  gTeach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;

and I will keep it hto the end.6

34  iGive me understanding, that I may keep your law

and observe it with my whole heart.

35  jLead me in the path of your commandments,

for I kdelight in it.

36  lIncline my heart to your testimonies,

and not to mselfish gain!

37  nTurn my eyes from looking at worthless things;

and ogive me life in your ways.

38  pConfirm to your servant your promise,

qthat you may be feared.

39  Turn away the rreproach that I dread,

for your rules are good.

40  Behold, I slong for your precepts;

tin your righteousness give me life!

WAW

41  Let your usteadfast love come to me, O LORD,

your salvation vaccording to your promise;

42  then wshall I have an answer for him rwho taunts me,

for I trust in your word.

43  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

for my xhope is in your rules.

44  I will keep your law continually,

forever and ever,

45  and I shall walk yin a wide place,

for I have zsought your precepts.

46  I will also speak of your testimonies abefore kings

and shall not be put to shame,

47  for I bfind my delight in your commandments,

which I love.

48  I will clift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,

and I will dmeditate on your statutes.

ZAYIN

49  Remember eyour word to your servant,

in which you have made me fhope.

50  This is gmy comfort in my affliction,

that your promise hgives me life.

51  iThe insolent utterly deride me,

but I do not jturn away from your law.

52  When I think of your rules from of old,

I take comfort, O LORD.

53  kHot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,

who forsake your law.

54  Your statutes have been my songs

in the house of my lsojourning.

55  I mremember your name in the night, O LORD,

and keep your law.

56  This blessing has fallen to me,

that nI have kept your precepts.

HETH

57  oThe LORD is my portion;

I promise to keep your words.

58  I pentreat your favor with all my heart;

be gracious to me qaccording to your promise.

59  When I rthink on my ways,

I turn my feet to your testimonies;

60  I hasten and do not delay

to keep your commandments.

61  Though sthe cords of the wicked ensnare me,

I do not tforget your law.

62  At umidnight I rise to praise you,

because of your vrighteous rules.

63  wI am a companion of all who fear you,

of those who keep your precepts.

64  xThe earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love;

yteach me your statutes!

We left by 9 A.M. for the OCCC (Orange County Convention Center) and spent the day there to watch James’ and Sadie’s performances and to peruse the other portions of the show and exhibit halls.

Here is some of the artwork from the festival. All of this is done by teenagers.

Fine Arts

Yesterday, a group of 12 people from our church traveled to Hartford, Connecticut for our Southern New England Ministry Network Fine Arts Festival.

It was held at the Connecticut Convention Center.

We left at 6 AM to be there for 8 AM.

Our first student participated at 10:15.

James is a great drummer.

We had about 3 1/2 hours to kill between performances, so we spent that time going to different rooms to listen in on some of the other 400 participants in the festival. I got to hear a few piano players in the junior category and two preachers in the junior category.

I also got to take a tour around the Art and literature gallery. I read quite a few pieces of poetry and was struck by a piece of blank verse,written by an eighth grader, entitled “THEY TOLD ME I COULD FLY”.

Our two young ladies ended up performing at the same time so half of our group went to the female vocal solo room with Natalie, and the other half went to the original songwriting room with Sadie.

In the end, all three performers received superior with invitation to the national fine arts festival to be held in Orlando.

Florida here we come!