Sundays 9:30 AM ·

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

St. Michael's Episcopal Church
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Curatorial Statement

There is a crack, a crack in everything. / That's how the light gets in. ~ from "Anthem" by Leonard Cohen

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:5

Ambient light — any form of naturally occurring or artificial light that creates the atmosphere or mood of a real or imagined environment — has long held the fascination of artists, among whom James Turrell, Sean Scully, and Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian are notable explorers of the medium today.

Light’s spiritual, symbolic, and metaphorical connections to or meanings in the Bible, moreover, often find expression in paintings and other artistic media, not only illuminating scripture and our understanding of it but also opening to us God’s vision of and for our world and to such concepts as hope and faith, goodness and truth, knowledge and wisdom.

Figuring prominently in the five contemporary painters’ work offered in “Ambient Light: Real and Imagined”, the current virtual exhibition at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, light as interpreted in watercolors, oils, acrylics, inks, and collage is used to investigate the properties of kinetic energy and movement (Elisabeth Hudgins), effects in nature, especially over water (Kat Jamieson), elusivity and luminous emergence (Linda Maldonado), spiritual darkness and rebirth (Elise Ritter), and healing (Deborah Taylor).

These light-oriented themes, although realized through the particular lens and filters and unique style of each artist, at times necessarily overlap. Reading the individual artist statements reveals, for example, that all of the exhibiting artists in one or another way investigate not only light’s physical or external presence but also, even if unconsciously, light’s mysterious spiritual or internal aspects. Repeated are such words and phrases as “light that shines forth to dispel a darkness”, “wonder”, “emerg[ence] from cosmic darkness”, “light as hope, a signal . . . to strengthen our spirits”, “rebirth”, and “hope and healing”.

Indeed, to personally engage with and represent light as source of inspiration and as subject, in ways that viewers themselves “see” the light, the artists must mediate its influence as well as allow it to guide them.

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Past Exhibition: ​Ambient Light, Real and Imagined Curatorial Statement Exhibit Organization ​Artists’ Biographical Information ​Artists’ Statements ​Artworks ​Purchase List for Artworks

Sermons

  • Jan 22 | The Very Rev. Beth Franklin
    Listening to our Longings
  • Jan 15 | Beth Cavey
    A Pilgrimage: How Long to Sing this Song
  • Jan 8 | The Very Rev. Beth Franklin
    Gifts and Gift Bearers
  • Dec 24 | The Very Rev. Beth Franklin
    The Disarming Love of Christ
  • Dec 18 | The Very Rev. Beth Franklin
    The Gift of Advent

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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

Newsletter Signup

Today's Worship Service

9:30 AM Holy Eucharist

Please join us in welcoming our guest preacher, Bishop Porter Taylor.

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.


Virtual Financial Q&A Session at 1 PM

In preparation for the Annual Meeting, all are welcome for a discussion of St. Michael’s finances—where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Join the Wardens, Treasurer, members of the Finance Committee, and Vestry, who will answer any questions about year-end finances and the proposed Mission Spend Plan (budget) for 2023. Join Zoom meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83035319818