Sundays 9:30 AM ·

  1132 North Ivanhoe St., Arlington, VA 22205  ·   (703) 241-2474  ·    

St. Michael's Episcopal Church
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Bearing Witness: Artist Statement

Almighty God, who hast given us the gift of sight, grant that we may see not only with the eyes of our head but with the eyes of our heart also, that we may perceive the beauty and meaning, of all that we behold, and glorify thee, the creator of all, who art blessed forevermore.
~ George Appleton

This prayer has been important to me for many years, in both classroom and studio. It serves as a reminder that we are called to look at the world around us with attention and empathy. As an artist I feel that call with special intensity: I want my work to bear witness to the beauty we so often pass by without noticing, and to the sorrow and suffering from which we might prefer to avert our eyes.

In praying the “Stations of the Cross” we bear holy witness to Christ’s incarnate life: his birth as one of us; his ministry among us; his Passion and death for us. We recall as well his identification with those who are thirsty or hungry, naked or sick; with the prisoner and the stranger. We are to look on the “least of these my brothers and sisters,” as we look on Christ in his Passion.

The woodcut “Stations” in this exhibition are stark depictions that convey in graphic terms Christ's Passion and his gradually diminishing energy. But they do not appeal to our pity; rather, they show Christ's compassion and strength in the face of suffering. My friend and colleague, systematic theologian Kate Sonderegger, has worked with me to combine the woodcut images with scripture, chant, and prayer to create a contemporary Stations service, published in “Praying the Stations of the Cross, Finding Hope in a Weary Land.”*

We remind readers in our book that when we pray this, or any Stations service, “we stand in a long tradition of imagining and entering into Christ’s suffering; of joining prophetic texts with Gospel narrative, Israel’s deliverance with the world’s redemption; of linking the Passion with the pain and sorrow, darkness and injustice of our own day.” May this service, and these woodcut Stations, be a gift and a promise to you this Lenten season.

______________________

* “Praying the Stations of the Cross, Finding Hope in a Weary Land” by Margaret Adams Parker & Katherine Sonderegger (Eerdmans, 2019)

Share this page: Bearing Witness: Artist Statement
Past Exhibition: BEARING WITNESS: Stations of the Cross Bearing Witness: Exhibit Organization Bearing Witness: Curator Statement Bearing Witness: Artist Talk Bearing Witness: Artist Statement Bearing Witness: Artworks Bearing Witness: Stations Service Bearing Witness: Experiencing the Stations Bearing Witness: Artist Biography Bearing Witness: Resources

Sermons

  • May 28 | The Very Rev. Beth Franklin
    Listening to the Holy Spirit
  • May 21 | The Very Rev. Beth Franklin
    You're on your own now!
  • May 14 | The Very Rev. Beth Franklin
    The Objects of our Heart's Desire
  • Apr 30 | Hayden Paul
    Shepards of Community
  • Apr 23 | The Rev. Canon Rosemari Sullivan
    Hearts set on Fire

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1132 North Ivanhoe St. · Arlington, VA 22205
(703) 241-2474
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Service Times

Sunday Eucharist at St. Michael's is a comprehensive service of both Word and Sacrament. We read from the Bible, we recite or sing a psalm, and we listen to a sermon. Then we pray for the Church and the world, and we ask God's forgiveness for our sins. Finally, we greet one another in the peace of Christ and move to the sacramental service of the Holy Communion.

At services of Holy Eucharist, all baptized persons are welcome to receive holy communion. We also offer blessings to those who for any reason are not able or not comfortable receiving this sacrament.Children are always welcome at the communion rail. Learn more about Episcopal Worship

Location

St. Michael's Episcopal Church
1132 North Ivanhoe St.
Arlington, VA 22205

Contact Us
(703) 241-2474

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Today's Worship Service

9:30 AM Holy Eucharist in the sanctuary and online

Join Zoom meeting here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82953003225
To Dial in: (301) 715 8592
Meeting ID: 829 5300 3225

Download the service bulletin here.