On February 1st, 2023, we hosted a Lent Planning Webinar for anyone using (or interesting in using) our Seeking Lent series. In this time, we dove into our theme, shared some tips about how to use the materials, and talked through ideas for implementation. Below is the recording. We hope this can be helpful to you as you plan and prepare.

We’ve also summarized much of the conversation that occurred in the chat. We are amazed by and grateful for the wealth of knowledge and inspiration within the larger Sanctified Art community. Be sure to read through the Q/A’s and crowdsourcing ideas at the bottom of this page.

Outline of the Webinar Recording:

00:00—10:33 Welcome and introductions

Welcome and introductions from the Sanctified Art creative team alongside participants’ introductions shared in the chat. Introducing all the guest contributors who helped create the “Seeking” resources.

10:34—14:45 How we developed the “Seeking” theme

Telling the story behind this theme and how we approach our theme planning using the lectionary scriptures as our starting point and guide.

14:46—32:22 Glimpsing the materials

An overview of all the resources in the “Seeking” bundle, with comments and ideas for how to use each component. Consider this an “insider’s guide” to the bundle. If you would like to share just this segment with staff and colleagues, below is a link to the overview video:

32:23—53:29 Experiencing the resources

A short segment in which we share a poem, listen to the audio recording of our theme song, and engage in a brief visio divina practice.

53:30—1:16:14 crowdsourcing ideas

Engaging with the conversation in the chat and the questions in the Q/A box. See much of our conversation summarized below. Webinar concludes with an invitation to keep collaborating in our Facebook Group.

QUESTIONS & Answers (SUMMARIZED):

Q: How could we use the resources for prayer stations?

A: There are many components in the “Seeking” bundle that could be used for prayer stations. You could display some of the daily devotional cards and include paper for writing in response to the questions. You could print the visual art and include the artist’s statements with some Visio Divina prompts for contemplation. You could print and display some of the poems. You could include the poetry-writing prompts and a space to display/share the poems people write. You could display the logo imagery key for the Seeking icon, which includes descriptions for the symbols within the logo. You could create a wonder wall (which is part of the children’s curriculum) for all ages to add their faith and life questions to a wall or visual display. If the prayer stations are intergenerational, you could include the children’s bulletins and/or some of the felt cut-outs and storytelling materials from the curriculum. You could print off the original hymns and use them for black-out poetry. So many possibilities!

Q: What’s the largest size we could print the images from the visual art collection for an art display/gallery?

A: The print files in the visual art collection are generally best for up to 11x17 printing. However, if you are wanting to print the visuals much larger, email us and we might be able to provide a larger file. That said, if you are wanting to blow up the images and display them in a way that they will be viewed from a distance (perhaps as hanging banners or large posters high on a wall), then you can most likely use the print files in the bundle to do this. They may be a little pixelated up close, but they should appear crisp from far away. If you want to use any of the images for permanent art banners or displays, please email us, as we would ask for an additional licensing fee for this use.

Q: How could we adapt these materials for a one-day retreat?

A: It depends on your group and what you are hoping to accomplish with the retreat, but the devotional booklet has lots that you can unpack/discuss in small groups. The questions in the daily devotional cards are perfect for conversation starters. You could use any of the visual art for Visio Divina; we always encourage you to use the art as a companion to your scripture discussions. You could play the theme song. You could use the materials to create prayer stations (see the first Q above).

Q: Do we have permission to play the “Seeking” theme song in a livestream?

A: Yep! It is not a copyright violation on our end for you to play the song in worship (in-person, online, livestream).

Q: Will there be a music video for the theme song?

A: Yes! We’re still editing the music video, but will release it before Ash Wednesday.

Q: Where do we order the Seeking banners for altar display?

A: This year, we have two printed-to-order banners that feature the “Seeking” icon and are offered in a dark or light purple. The small banner is printed on a weather-resistant material and includes grommets. It could be displayed outdoors or indoors. This size might work well as a parament for the pulpit.

The large banner is printed on a stretchy fabric and it includes a white edge (that you can trim away). It’s not best for outdoor display, but could be displayed indoors or used as the foundation for a communal art project. This size might work well as an altar cloth or cloth for your Communion Table.

Q: Where is the youth material?

A: We are slowly developing more resources for children and youth. We have a new youth discussion guide here on our blog! We hope this guide helps you unpack some of the “Seeking” weekly questions with young people.

CROWDSOURCED IDEAS (SUMMARIZED):

q: What are folks including in Lent “take-home” bags?

IDEAS SHARED:

For Lent bags for our children, we are including felt storytelling materials and the children’s bulletins for each week. We’ll also include the devotional booklet and devotional cards for the adults.

An Ash tattoo, sand and stones, a small olive wood cross, a purple tea light, crackers & earth marble, a nail, bubbles for breath prayer, directions to create a resurrection garden along with soil and seeds—plus the Seeking devo booklet and devo cards.

Daily devo cards, the devotional booklet, the poetry-writing prompts, the children’s bulletins for young families to do together at home.

Q: How are you using the children’s materials (curriculum + bulletins)?

IDEAS SHARED:

Thank you for all the children’s stuff!! Just bought so much felt. We are going to have each child use a kit to retell the story as part of Sunday school each week. We do a multi-age Godly Play, so the curriculum will fit right in. We’ll create a wonder wall.

Really thinking about changing up our bulletin to include more materials for the season—folding children’s bulletin stuff in (bc it seems like it might be great for all ages) and maybe a pullout mini-devotion for the week (for those who won’t take or keep up with the devotional, but might if we put something in their hand weekly?).

I’m really thinking about how to fold creative materials into the bulletin - like maybe using the children’s bulletin stuff as a one page pull-out take home sheet for everyone to utilize.

I'm planning to use a wonder wall for the whole congregation :)

For a wonder wall, I'm covering a board that's 48x72 with bulletin board paper. I'm dividing it into 6 sections with the logo in the middle to add questions each week. We’ll have a separate one for Easter.

Q: Ideas for a small group study?

IDEAS SHARED:

We are using the devotional booklet for small groups. We usually read the poem and discuss the scripture/art/commentary together.

We are going to use Original Blessing by Danielle Shroyer as a small group study as well. Giving people different options to seek—Reading, Praying, Questioning. Danielle Shroyer has some videos in The Work of the People too.

This thread in our Facebook group has ideas for book studies for Lent and this thread includes ideas for adult small groups.

Q: How are you displaying the visual art?

IDEAS SHARED:

We have taken the art and artists statements with the corresponding scripture and have made prayer stations for them.

In the past, we’ve printed the art on large posters and displayed them in our entryway so they can be experienced as you enter worship.

I wonder if there might be a way to use them as a foundation for a creative of Stations of the Cross. (Notes from the SA team: Absolutely! You may also browse the Holy Week visuals in our image licensing library if you want to curate art specifically for Stations. Additionally, we have two Stations of the Cross resources: A Graphic Art Series by Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman, and our Again & Again Stations of the Cross Liturgy by Rev. Denise Anderson.)

Q: How are you using the poems and poetry-writing prompts?

IDEAS SHARED:

I’ve made videos with the beautiful poetry prayers. We add them as a meditative aspect of worship. The poetry writing prompts could be a good thing to add to Lenten bags! My weekly Zoom prayer group LOVES using the poems each week!!

The poems are always central to each week’s service through Advent and Lent. They so deeply connect with so many of our everyday experiences and are a highlight.

I usually put the poems on the back page of our bulletins, so even if the person doesn't open the bulletin, they will see/read it while the bulletin sits on their lap.

I made Easter poster cards for the congregation and used part of a poem on the back!

This thread in our Facebook group has ideas for using the poetry-writing prompts.

Q: How are you using the devotional booklet and daily devotional cards?

IDEAS SHARED:

We use the devotional in small groups on ZOOM and some in person.

We use the devotional book and daily devotional cards for a program called “Lenten Listeners,” an intentional ministry of accompaniment for those participating in our ministries.

As interim, I’ll be with a congregation that has been without pastor since August—we’re excited to meet in small group bible study again. We’re using the devotional booklet and daily devotional cards as a foundation for a small group based around exploring questions together.

We will probably make the devotional books available for individuals/families to pick up and use on their own.

May use the devo booklet for Wednesday evening 30 minute worship time each week of Lent.

I'm certified in teaching meditation and so excited to lead Visio Divina in Sunday School time each week!

I will teach Visio Divina as adult Sunday school on the 19th of Feb. The people who attend the class will have the Visio Divina prompts, the devo cards, and devotional booklet on their chairs.

I have used the daily devo cards in sermons as interactive piece.

In the past we've used daily devotional cards in our prayer garden for people to come at any time and sit and use them.

We’re putting the devotional booklet and cards in the LENT in BAG, along with props and guidelines for conversation, prayer, and reflection.

Last year, we used selected encouragements/affirmations from the daily devotional cards to create posters we put up in frames around our campus. They were so popular with our neighborhood that we have left them up all year long—I'm looking forward to seeing the cards this year and adapting them in a similar way! We have done Stations in the past, but this has been so meaningful for my congregation and a great way to open us up to conversation with our neighbors.

Q: What are some creative ideas for Maundy Thursday?    

IDEAS SHARED:

We have a tradition of having our youth lead on Maundy Thursday, so we will be looking for ways to include them.

We purchased the $10 separate service for Maundy Thursday by Sarah Speed from the website—the poems and liturgy is stunning. (Notes from the SA team: Here is the Maundy Thursday liturgy by Sarah Speed. We also have a Maundy Thursday liturgy by Adrian White. And here is a worship template to build from for shaping a Maundy Thursday service around an abundant meal.)

Q: How are others adorning your sanctuary or chancel? What art elements are you including?

IDEAS SHARED:

Our Jr and Sr High youth are painting a 10’ X 6’ banner of the Seeking logo as a backdrop for worship. We are layering in the different elements of the logo each week.

We are going to create a altar table cloth from muslin with some crosses on it in ash and purple, along with the questions from the series on it, and invite people to write their questions, relating to their faith, on it as well. From there, we are layering other cloths beneath it and stripping away a cloth each week until Maundy Thursday we are left with only our questions.

I think I'm going to try a mosaic of the logo. My oldest granddaughter is going to draw it on a piece of wood and then I've got stained glass.

The Logo Imagery Key will be helpful, not only in creating altar designs but creating tangible lessons to carry home.

This thread in our Facebook group discusses ideas for altar displays and worship art.