Creative Arts Community Monthly Newsletter
The Creative Arts Community Council (CACC) started creating monthly newsletters to provide information on various events the CACC is producing as well as to highlight other opportunities to support the arts both within and outside of FirstMC. These newsletters contain more information than what is typically included in the Midweek Messenger.
If you would like to receive our future newsletters to your email, you must opt-in by filling out the form below. If you would like to opt-out of receiving these newsletters, please unsubscribe to the email or contact Rachel Wilhelm.
September 2024
October 2024
November 2024
December 2024
January 2025
February 2025
Resurrection/New Life
April 2023
We see 'resurrection/new life' all around us. Our favorite movies often include plot twists that bring something that seems dead and gone back to life. Resurrection is symbolized in nature, in God's creation. Stories and parables in the Bible illustrate that with God, what is dead can be brought back to life. And finally, we celebrate THE resurrection of Jesus at Easter: a real event in history that offers us new life each day and hope for eternal life with Him.
Sisters Exhibit
July 2023
We are so excited for our second exhibit coming to The Gallery located in the hallway on the north side of the Fellowship Hall. Sisters Amy Nussa and Bonny Arnold will be joining forces to fill the space with their work. Amy is our Office Administrator, and Bonny often sings with the worship team and gospel choir.
Seasons of Change
September 2023
We witness seasons of change all around us and often experience it in very personal ways. All of God’s creation feels the effects of the changing seasons caused by the Earth’s tilt and revolution around the sun year after year. In scripture we read about God’s people experiencing seasons of rejoicing at newly won freedom and building communities or of mourning at the destruction of their homeland and war. We may plant gardens, get married, or find a new job in anticipation of the next season of fruitfulness, new life, or financial stability. We believe that there is a time for everything and that God makes everything beautiful in its time, so we trust in God as we endure the seasons of change in our lives.
50 Years of Expression
January 2024
Mike Bishop studied fine arts for four years at the Fort Wayne Art Institute (1967-1971) which later became part of IPFW. During his studies at the art school he accepted Christ as his Savior and was changed from being a "Hippie Freak" to being a "Jesus Freak". Mike, his wife Carol, and their two children, Alison and Gretchen, started attending FirstMC in the late 70s. In 1984 they left for Ecuador, South America where they served as missionaries for 32 years. During that time, Mike continued doing art in his spare time, mainly woodcut printing and watercolor painting. This show is a collection of some of the art that has continued to be a passion as he has served the Lord with the talents and abilities that God has given him. He hopes that you enjoy this sampling of 50 years of his artistic journey.
Praise
March 2024
Looking for art that captures the spirit, or the specifics, of what it means to praise the Lord. We can praise Him for His character, His creation, His purposes, His deeds. Or as we look at the nuances of our own acts of praise we find expressions of sacrifice, or trust, or delight. May our efforts to create reflect a spirit of worship to the Lord. As Hebrews 13:15 says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”
Comfort & Joy
May 2024
We are excited to announce our next exhibit at The Gallery called “Comfort & Joy”! This exhibit will be quilts made by Gay Nordvik and Nancy Rossiter.
Wilderness
September 2024
As we have been studying the book of Numbers this past year in our sermon series, “The Wild Wild Wilderness”. When reflecting on our own spiritual journeys, the wilderness can look different to each of us. Was there a specific message that spoke to your heart? Has God delivered you through a season of life that is reminiscent of the wilderness? Do you have something to share about a wilderness you are currently going through? We are looking for artwork that captures what the wilderness means to you.
Tannenbaum Festival
December 2024
As we have been studying the book of Numbers this past year in our sermon series, “The Wild Wild Wilderness”. When reflecting on our own spiritual journeys, the wilderness can look different to each of us. Was there a specific message that spoke to your heart? Has God delivered you through a season of life that is reminiscent of the wilderness? Do you have something to share about a wilderness you are currently going through? We are looking for artwork that captures what the wilderness means to you.
Woodworkers
January 2025
As we have been studying the book of Numbers this past year in our sermon series, “The Wild Wild Wilderness”. When reflecting on our own spiritual journeys, the wilderness can look different to each of us. Was there a specific message that spoke to your heart? Has God delivered you through a season of life that is reminiscent of the wilderness? Do you have something to share about a wilderness you are currently going through? We are looking for artwork that captures what the wilderness means to you.
Jazz in the Park
2023
Thank you to Everette Hornbarger and John Gerig (trumpets); Julie Gerig (clarinet & piano), Ryan Pequignot (bari sax); Tim Johnson (piano); Bruce Graham (bass); Zach Winters (drums); and special guest Kelly Hornbarger (vocal, flute & bari ukulele).
2024
Thank you to Everette Hornbarger, John Gerig, and guest Russ Heffner (trumpets); Julie Gerig (piano), Brent Kuster (french horn); Bruce Graham (bass); Zach Winters (drums); and special guest Kelly Hornbarger (flute).