Our church likes to celebrate all kinds of work, and Sunday about 30 folks in our church of about 150 active members showed their art. it was great fun with art of all kinds on display: photography, painting, quilting, and wood-working were out there. One of this blog’s regular readers, Kathleen Krucoff, displayed the jewelry she creates. But the biggest surprise for many of us was several drawings done by our pastor, Dave Jordan-Irwin.
Who knew?! None of us, that’s who. And I’ve sat with Dave over coffee for hours and hours in the four years we’ve known each other. He knows I play the piano, but I didn’t know that he could draw. What are the lessons?
- Dave is a humble man, to be sure, and maybe that has something to do with it. He’s not one to talk about himself.
- Maybe he didn’t really value his art, but as a result of our working together on teaching our members the value of all kinds of work, he’s beginning to see it differently.
- Maybe I just didn’t ask! That’s something I’m going to try to work on: being more curious about other people. “What talent do you have that I don’t know about?” might be a good question.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22.39, NIV)
Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.” (Exodus 31.1 – 5, NIV)
I am so happy you shared this about Dave. His work is wonderful.
In one of our first planning discussions, someone (I can’t remember who) asked him if he would bring his drawings. As you mentioned, Dave is very humble. He was reluctant. Thankfully we REALLY encouraged him to participate….and so he has.
An additional wonderful thing about this event is that people are discovering how creative our members are. Truly an eye-opener! I have learned so much about so many people. I feel the show has brought us even closer as a congregation.
Quite a few asked me if we will make this an annual event and I think (hope) that will happen. The response has been overwhelming.
Thanks so much for sharing this Bob.
Thank you, Kathleen, for helping make this happen. I agree with you that it should be an annual event. And it would be fun to figure out what other kinds of events we could have in between.
Great idea Bob! Events in between would help with the momentum.