Mennonite Arts Weekend

The following paragraphs are the words of Pastor Joel Miller of Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship about Mennonite Arts Weekend, which is this weekend in Cincinnati. It is such a special time, and I love his reference to "high holy events in the life of our congregation.".

“The artist is a sacrament maker, a creator of emphasized, clarified beauty designed to make us see." Andrew Greely

This quote was cited in the book on Thomas Merton I’ve been reading by XU prof Christopher Pramuk. It’s a nice prelude in these days of final preparation for Mennonite Arts Weekend. This is one of the high holy events in the life of our congregation. The ancient Israelites had their festivals, the Catholics have their feast days, and the Mennonites of Cincinnati have their Arts Weekend. Sustained by the work of a committed committee (there’s probably a reason those words sound alike), hosted and executed by an entire congregation, enriched by artists and art lovers from near and far, this is one of those extra-ordinary times when we experience the goodness of God at a heightened level.

One of the revelations of Arts Weekend is that it places in the center of our religious consciousness gifts that are too often marginalized. The artist is celebrated as “a sacrament maker,” one who not only designs and performs, but one who makes connections between heaven and earth.

The point of it all – “to make us see.” To make a reality more available to our senses than it was before the canvas was painted, before the pot was sculpted, before the movement was danced, before the song was sung.

“Clarified beauty.”