God created humanity in God’s own image,
        in the divine image God created them,
            male and female God created them. (Genesis 1:27)

I have this theory about being “made in the image of God.” I don’t think it means we look like God, I believe it speaks more to “who” we are. I think we all understand that God can’t be described by something as limiting as physical characteristics; and besides, Jesus said “No-one has ever seen God.”

So while we may not know what God looks like, we do know who God is; we do know some of the attributes of God.

And one of the best and most ubiquitous words to describe God is “Creator.”

Our creativity reflects the image of God:

It follows therefore, that if we are made in God’s likeness then we reflect the image of God best of all as – and when – we are being creative. Or, to put it this way (from the book In God’s Image): to the extent that we restrict or douse imagination and creativity, we deny the image of God in us.

In consequence I was really excited to see what happened at Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church Saturday morning, when the 150th Anniversary celebration team put on “Arts in the Garden;” it was a celebration of creativity all over the church grounds – including painting, woodwork, photography, poetry, dance, crafting and more.

The event was several things:

• A celebration of creativity bubbling up from within this wonderfully talented congregation
• A celebration of God’s spirit, which is loose amongst us, prompting imagination and beauty
• A fundraiser for Project 150, our yearlong effort to raise money to support at risk children and families here in Edgecombe County
• A connecting point with the Tarboro community
• A profound witness to beauty and light
• A resounding success

Remarkable scope and depth of talent!

The scope and the depth of artistic talent in this church family is astounding and inspirational. The generosity, the joy that spills into their work, the willingness to share – it is all a step above what anyone might reasonably anticipate, and it came together looking like a juried art exhibition.

The folk behind this effort (primarily Faye Price and Cindy Brittain along with their exceptional team) put in countless hours of planning and prayer and hard work and imagination and more.

But it was less about raising money than it was, to me, a sterling example of one of what Presbyterians understand as The 6 Great Ends of the Church; this day was very much about The Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the World.

The photo gallery below – and they are all worth a look – paints as good a picture as I can. It really was a perfect day and so full with creative life and beautiful people. Additionally, “Miss Mattie’s Chapel” – the retreat in the garden – was open for prayer and meditation.

This church may be full with talented people, but mostly we are a people who are loved and forgiven and free. Loved by God, forgiven because of Jesus, and free to live and to love and to share all the life and the gifts of the spirit – including creativity.

In love, and because of love – DEREK