Leanne Shawler, Artist

For at least a month, I had the idea of to write about the souls of churches, but just never got around to it. And that turns out to be a good thing, because since COVID-19 cast its shadow of my city and my state, the idea of church has radically changed. I was going to write about walking into a church in Venice and knowing at once what kind of congregation inhabited it. There was a warmth and friendliness in the dark church of San Zulian, the nearest church to where I stayed. San Pantalon, which was three times the size, also had that warmth. It felt good to put in the requested Euros to light the ceiling. It felt like I was supporting the congregation.    There was an air of sorrow at this tiny church on the Guidecca canal. The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Visitazione was being used by the Biennale to showcase this large sculptural room but when I looked up — there were faces painted into the ceiling that looked like it was done in the 1500s. I felt like they were m...

Emily over at chatting at the sky , is now doing quarterly link-ups for what we've learned each quarter. Previously, it was each month and before I knew it the month was over and I hadn't gotten around to posting. So, here's hoping quarterly does the trick! 1.  I love painting intuitively. I took Flora Bowley 's Bloom True-course this fall and finished a painting that just glows with color. But the more important thing was that the act of painting (by making a series of marks, grooving, just seeing where the color and marks take you) brings me joy, even when I'm angry or upset. Putting paint on a canvas really makes a difference. Am wondering if this should really be my meditation practice... 2. Being open to other worship experiences can bring clarity It helped me to remember what is important about worship. In a short time span, I attended an interfaith labyrinth service, a UCC church and three other Episcopal churches. One of the latter is St. Gr...

Here's a selection of blog posts and articles that struck me this past month: A complicated peace by Sarah Bessey an hour long video called Keep the Church Weird by Rachel Held Evans St Joe's Unplugged at Acts 8 Moment.  Their learnings are very interesting 11 Things about the Episcopal Church by Ben Irwin and the sequel 4 Things I want for the Episcopal Church (I may have to start following this blog) Slouching Toward Shabbat by Abigail Pogrebin at 18 Holidays: 1 Wondering Jew Why I've Been Going to an Episcopal Church at Metamorphosis. I am enjoying and learning so much about my church by these newcomer points of view. on going to (an episcopal) church by Jonathan Martin After A Deal, British chocolates won't cross the pond at the New York Times . This is so so sad because Hershey's has the name but modified the recipe so it doesn't taste right! Modesty: I don't think it means what you think it means by Rachel Held Evans at Qideas . ...