Liturgical rebels

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Naomi Lawrence, a fiber artist known for her yarn bombing installations, shares her journey and the impact of her art on communities. She started yarn bombing in 2012 and has since brought joy and light to dark places through her crochet creations. Yarn bombing is a form of street art where objects in public spaces are covered with knitted or crocheted pieces. Naomi's installations have evolved from guerrilla knitting to commissioned site-specific projects, often bringing together communities to create the artwork. She shares positive responses from people who have been touched by her installations, including stories of hope and transformation. Naomi's faith plays a significant role in her art, as she sees it as a way to show love, bring beauty, and make the world a better place. She is part of Inner Change, a Christian order that focuses on living out their faith in their contexts. Naomi's artwork is a reflection of her identity and brings her immense satisfaction and joy.

00:00
Introduction and Reconnecting
03:07
Discovering Yarn Bombing and Bringing Light to Dark Places
07:55
Yarn Bombing as a Form of Street Art
12:59
Faith and the Role of Art in Naomi's Life
24:55
Community and Support for Naomi's Art

Naomi Lawrence is a NYC Fiber Artist based in Harlem, NYC. 

She works with acrylic yarn to create oversized 2-Dimensional crochet flowers, trees and wildlife. The site-specific installations are sewn onto chain-link fences in parks and public spaces.

Originally from England, UK she studied Floral Design at the University of Arts London and worked as a freelance events florist for some of Londons top floral designers.

Her first installation created in 2014, Blue Iris endeared her to the community that she now calls home. Her installations take a few months to create but are generally approved by the city to stay in place for up to one year. They are often washed and refurbished to be reinstalled in various locations such as school playgrounds. Public engagement is a primary goal of each installation. The works become part of the urban landscape.

You can contact Naomi at https://naomilawrence.com/ or https://www.instagram.com/naomilawrence.art/ or https://www.patreon.com/NaomiRAG

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In this episode of Liturgical Rebels, Christine Sine and Forrest Inslee interview Brian McLaren.

A former English professor, Brian D. McLaren was a pastor for twenty-four years. Now he’s an author, activist, public theologian, and popular public speaker. His work has been covered in TIME Magazine, Newsweek, USA Today, The New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN. The author of more than 15 books, including Faith After Doubt, Do I Stay Christian? and A New Kind of Christian, he is a faculty member of The Living School at the Center for Action and Contemplation.

As we look back at 2023 it seems the year was full of wars and mass-shootings, massive floods and unprecedented heat waves. No wonder we all feel an “un-peaceful, uneasy, unwanted feeling” every time we watch the news and end up doom scrolling every time we go online. For Brian D. McLaren, doom is the emotional and intellectual experience shared by all who realize the dangerous future into which we are presently plunging ourselves, our descendants, and our fellow creatures. So, in the face of that dangerous future, what do we do?

Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart is an attempt to provide a path for all of us, whatever our backgrounds, to process our feelings of doom and let them become fuel for wise and courageous action.  Blending insights from philosophers, poets, scientists, and theologians, Life After Doom explores the complexity of hope, the necessity of grief, and the need for new ways of thinking, becoming, and belonging in turbulent times. This book is for those who want to help themselves, their families, and their communities to find courage and resilience for the deeply challenging times that are upon us.

You can find Brian's blog, social media links, and contact information on his website, brianmclaren.net

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In this conversation, Tony shares his journey from being a pastor in the Emerging Church Network to finding solace and connection with God in the wilderness.  Tony emphasizes the importance of nature in spiritual experiences and how it can be a place to interact with God. He explores the presence of death in life from composting and gardening to hunting. The conversation explores the paradox of valuing animals and of hunting and eating them, the responsibility humans have for the death of animals, and the need for honesty about animal deaths. The conversation concludes with a discussion on mortality and the focus on living the best life in the present.

Tony Jones is the author of The God of Wild Places and contributing writer to several outdoors periodicals. He’s written a dozen books, including Did God Kill Jesus? and The Sacred Way: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life, developed the iPhone app, hosts the Reverend Hunter Podcast, and teaches at Fuller Theological Seminary and The Loft Literary Center. He writes a weekly newsletter on Substack.  He holds an A.B. from Dartmouth College, an M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary.
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Takeaways

• Tony's journey from being a pastor in the Emerging Church Network to finding solace and connection with God in the wilderness
• The challenges and advantages of being an Enneagram 8
• The importance of nature in spiritual experiences and connecting with God
• The metaphor of composting for the cycle of life and the interconnectedness of all creation.
• Humans are responsible for the death of animals, whether we eat meat or not, and it is important to be honest about our choices.
• Respecting and caring for creation is an important aspect of our relationship with the natural world.
• Focusing on living the best life in the present and embracing our mortality can lead to a deeper appreciation for life and the world around us.

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Contact Information for Tony Jones
Email: [email protected]
Mobile phone: 612-597-0441
Website: ReverendHunter.com
Facebook: facebook.com/jonestony
Twitter: @jonestony
Instagram: @TheReverendHunter

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In this conversation, Christine Sine interviews Shane Claiborne, a Christian activist and author, about his journey and his work in advocating for social justice. They discuss topics such as community living, gun violence, the death penalty, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Shane shares his experiences and insights, highlighting the importance of love, nonviolence, and solidarity with marginalized communities. The conversation culminates in a discussion about the recent pilgrimage walk and protest at Lockheed Martin, a major weapons contractor.

Takeaways

• Living in community can provide a foundation for radical activism and social justice work.
• Gun violence, the death penalty, and militarism are issues that Christians should care about and work to address.
• The ongoing conflict in Gaza is a deeply spiritual and humanitarian crisis that requires attention and action.
• Transforming weapons of violence into tools of life and love is a powerful symbol of hope and transformation.
• Becoming a parent can deepen one's commitment to justice and inspire a vision of a better world for future generations.

Shane Claiborne is a best-selling author, renowned activist, sought-after speaker, and self-proclaimed “recovering sinner.” He is the co-founder with Tony Campolo of Red Letter Christians redletterchristians.org   Shane writes and speaks around the world about peacemaking, social justice, and Jesus, and is the author of several books, including "The Irresistible Revolution," "Jesus for President," "Executing Grace," "Beating Guns," and his newest book, "Rethinking Life (released in Feb 2023)." He is the visionary leader of The Simple Way in Philadelphia and co-director of Red Letter Christians. His work has been featured in Fox News, Esquire, SPIN, TIME, the Wall Street Journal, NPR, and CNN. 

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In this episode Christine interviews Lilly Lewin about creativity and worship. Lilly is worship curator of ThinplaceNASHVILLE and freerangeworship.com. She takes worship outside the box, beyond singing, through multi-sensory prayer, experiential worship, and art. Lilly leads workshops, & creates Sacred Space experiences in the US and abroad. Author of Sacred Space with Dan Kimball, and articles in Youthworker Journal, & Curating Worship by Jonny Baker.  You can connect to her through her website Freerange Worship or join her on Instagram or Facebook.

Lilly Lewin shares her journey into art and worship curation including the importance of incorporating art and participatory elements into worship experiences. She also explains how she creates sacred spaces and prayer stations using everyday objects. She emphasizes the need to redefine worship and highlights the value of prayer as a practice of noticing the world. Lilly  and Christine  discuss the use of everyday objects as prayer tools and the concept of pilgrimage. They explore different forms of pilgrimage and the importance of noticing God's presence in the journey. They also emphasize the need to live as pilgrims in our own towns and to make worship more participatory.

Takeaways

• Art is a powerful tool for worship and spiritual expression.
• Participation is key in worship, and incorporating art engages all the senses and create a more meaningful and memorable experience.
• Creating sacred spaces and prayer stations provide opportunities for people to encounter God in a tangible way.
• Prayer is not limited to traditional settings and can be practiced throughout daily life by noticing the world around us.

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In this episode Mark Pierson joins Christine Sine and co-host Lilly Lewin to discuss the concept of worship curation and its impact on the way they approach church. Mark Pierson a long-time Baptist pastor in Aukland New Zealand, who coined the term 'worship curator,' describes it as curating contexts and spaces built around practices that offer people the potential for transformational engagement with God. He shares examples of curated worship experiences, including art installations and the Tea and Be ceremony. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced in introducing creative elements to traditional church settings and the importance of curating people's gifts.

Takeaways

• Worship curation involves curating contexts and spaces that offer opportunities for transformational engagement with God.
• Curated worship experiences can take various forms, including art installations and rituals like Tea and Be.
• Introducing creativity to traditional church settings can be challenging, but it is important to create spaces where people can engage with God in new ways.
• Curating people's gifts and providing opportunities for them to contribute to worship can enhance the overall experience.
• Those who have given up on church are encouraged to find like-minded individuals and create their own worship experiences centered around communion and simplicity.

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Summary

In this conversation, Christine Sine interviews artist Kreg Yingst about his journey as a block print artist and his approach to combining art and faith. Kreg shares how he got into block prints and the influence of storytelling art on his work. He discusses his connection with the Psalms and parables, and how his art became a spiritual practice. Kreg also talks about the impact of his artwork on people, sharing stories of healing and restoration. He emphasizes the importance of embracing creativity and finding a place in the body of Christ.

Takeaways

• Block printing is a time-consuming method of printmaking that allows for storytelling and narrative art.
• Art can be a spiritual practice and a way to connect with God.
• Artwork can have a profound impact on people, bringing healing, restoration, and spiritual growth.
• Creativity is a unique expression of faith and should be embraced and celebrated.

Stay Connected 

For more information about Kreg Yingst and to learn about his upcoming book release for Everything Could Be A Prayer, https://amzn.to/48UqKs2 visit his website  Kregyingst.com or his Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/psalmprayers  or follow him on instagram, www.instagram.com/psalmprayers; www.facebook.com/psalmblockprints 

For more information about the Liturgical Rebels host, Christine Sine visit her website godspacelight.com or follow @christinesine on Instagram, Facebook X our Youtube. 

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In this third episode of The Liturgical Rebels Christine Sine interviews Scott Erickson, a creative artist and storyteller, who shares his journey as an artist and how he uses his God-given creativity to bring the biblical story to life in fresh and new ways. They discuss his early artistic influences, his experience using art in church services, and his approach to developing a visual vocabulary. Scott and Christine also explore his decision to move away from traditional Christian symbols and his focus on creating artwork that invites viewers to unknow the familiar story. Scott emphasizes the importance of experiencing awe and wonder and the role of art in connecting with the giver of our souls. 

Throughout the conversation, Scott reflects on the responses he receives to his artwork and the impact of art on the margins of society. In this conversation, Christine Sine and Scott also discuss the importance of mindfulness in daily life. They explore how mindfulness can improve emotional well-being, physical health, relationships, and productivity. The conversation emphasizes the benefits of being present in the moment and cultivating a mindful mindset.

Takeaways

• Art can be a powerful tool for bringing the biblical story to life in fresh and new ways.
• Developing a visual vocabulary and exploring symbols beyond traditional Christian imagery can help deepen our understanding of the story.
• Experiencing awe and wonder is essential for connecting with the deeper meaning of the story and the presence of God.
• Art created from the margins can have a profound impact on individuals and communities, offering a different perspective and inviting deeper reflection. Mindfulness is a powerful practice that can improve various aspects of life.
• Practicing mindfulness in daily life can lead to greater emotional well-being.
• Mindfulness can have positive effects on physical health, including reducing stress and improving sleep.
• Being mindful in relationships can enhance communication and connection.
• Incorporating mindfulness into work and daily tasks can increase productivity and focus.

Stay Connected 

For more information about Scott Erickson his artwork and books, please visit him at scottericksonart.com,  follow @scottthepainter on instagram or join him on substack https://scotterickson.substack.com 

For more information about Christine Sine visit her website godspacelight.com or follow @christinesine on Instagram and Facebook. 

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In this second episode of The Liturgical Rebel I am in conversation with Drew Jackson about poetry as spiritual practice and how it can help us express the laments and joys of life while enabling us to sit longer in the questions life raises, not looking for answers but sitting in the mystery of all things. His poetry is part protest, part Biblical commentary and provides fresh insight as he weaves the Biblical narrative with contemporary issues of justice, lament and hope.

We will also discuss his amazing sensitivity to women in the gospels and how poetry enables us to access our anger and see it as an invitation to uncover the mystery of life and let go of a need for answers and control. 

Drew has published 2 wonderful books of poetry: Touch the Earth and God Speaks Through Wombs.  (NOTE: As an Amazon Associate I receive a small amount if you purchase through these links.) 

For more information about Drew Jackson visit him at his website drewjackson.com or join him on Instagram or on Facebook. 

Find out more about Christine Sine on her website Godspacelight or join her on social media: Instagram; Facebook; X or YouTube

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How often have you felt restricted to spiritual practices that seem outdated and of little relevance in today’s world? How often have you felt discouraged to express your own creative talents and develop spiritual practices that are uniquely you?  Are you a Liturgical Rebel wanting to break out of the boxes of convention?

In this inaugural episode Christine Sine and Forrest Inslee discuss what it means to be a liturgical rebel and why it matters. They discuss how we enhance our faith by connecting to God revealed in nature, in creativity,  and the everyday acts of life. They encourage us to explore our own pathways to discover spiritual expressions that resonate in our souls, strengthen our faith and nourish our spirits.

You can find out more about Forrest Inslee at Earthkeepers Podcast and Circlewood

Find out more about Christine Sine on her website Godspacelight or join her on social media:
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