ECVA Imaging Ubuntu

"The very act of self-differentiation is itself the beauty of Ubuntu. You cannot know you are unique or beautiful or intelligent without the reference point of a community in which such attributes become intelligible."

Words: The Rev. Dr. Michael Battle in Ubuntu: I in You and You in Me, Seabury Books, 2009

Image: From the newest ECVA Exhibition, Art As Public Narrative: ECVA Imaging Ubuntu, Diane Walker, Curator; exhibition title page features the art of Lucy Janjigian.

James: The Letter To The Scattered

Graphic novel translation by The Rev. Earnest Graham, III

Wounds of Light

Just as darkness brings rest and release,
so the dawn brings awakening and renewal.
Each day, the dawn unveils the mystery of this universe.
Dawn is the ultimate surprise;
it awakens us to the immense "thereness" of nature.
The wonderful subtle color of the universe
arises to clothe everything.
This is captured in a phrase from William Blake:
"Colours are the wounds of light."

Words by John O'Dohohue from his book, Anam Cara.
Image by Diane Walker

Flowers Of The Field

as for man, his days are like grass,

he flourishes like a flower of the field

Psalm 103:15

Image: Thread-Painting by Jeanelle McCall

Live Your Life

"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, you rejoice and the world cries." — Cree saying

Image: "Silere" photograph by Dan Hardison

For all who work, worry, or weep

Gracious Mary
we ask your blessings,
place our hands in yours
where His hands also lay
and ask for your tender care:
Hold those who work, or worry, or weep this day
as gently as you held your son;
shield and guide them on their way.

Words and image by Diane Walker

Wondering

"Great are the deeds of the Lord,
Discovered by all who desire them."

Words: Psalm 111 : 2

from The Book of Psalms: a translation with commentary, by Robert Alter

Image: Wondering—Just Wondering, by Robert Epley

The gift of contemplation

Standing together in majestic isolation,
rooted and stripped,
we face into the desert
and spin the breath of spirit
into hope,
fueling the world.

Words and image by Diane Walker

Signposts

Do not discard them,
those moments and decisions
you now judge with disdain;
View them with compassion
for choices made along the way
by your less-wise self;
think of them as signposts
from your unreflected life.


Words and image by Diane Walker

Merton on Creativity

Creativity becomes possible insofar as man can forget his limitations and his selfhood and lose himself in abandonment to the immense creative power of a love too great to be seen or comprehended.

Words: Thomas Merton, "Theology of Creativity"

Image: Diane Walker

Soft Summer Dream

"With the grandeur and opportunity for growth that resides within the ocean of our authentic self, it is surprising that we spend most of our waking life with a focus on the external world. How much richer our life would be if we gave equal time to the internal reality. This realm is always available to us if we are willing to be quiet and attentive long enough to visit it."

Words: Joyce Rupp in Open the Door: A Journey to the True Self

Image: Gene Black

Presence And Joy

"Cast me not away from your presence
and take not your holy Spirit from me.

Give me the joy of your saving help again
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit."

Words: Psalm 51:12-13

Image: The Rev. Scott Fisher, Evening Sky at Chena River