by Rhonda Gorham, Ministry Manager, Lutheran Urban Ministry

We are the hands and feet of God in this world, and the face of God is in everyone we meet.  The fellowship and sharing during our art therapy project really demonstrated the feelings and experiences that we have as women, and that we’re all in this life together.

During the spring of 2025 our Women’s Sharing Circles at the Urban had a lot of creative fun!  We are grateful to have received a grant from the MNO Synod that gave the Lutheran Urban Ministry (the Urban) the opportunity to offer a wonderful program of fellowship and creativity!  Dawn and Carly, art therapists, facilitated the sessions.  We all went away with new confidence in our own talents amid laughter, hope, and dialogue – a powerful combination.

We learned the healing nature of talking together while using our own creativity and our own feelings through various art mediums and reaffirmed that we’re here for each other as women.  Our attendees were women from our Urban community and women who belong to congregations within the MNO.

As we sat together, with the low buzz of conversation, laughter – and at times brief silence as we diligently concentrated on our own project – we learned that as women we need to take time in our lives for ourselves – time for creativity, self-discovery and introspection.

We worked on a few collaborative art projects and mostly individual ones.  Throughout the sessions we talked among ourselves about some personal women’s issues, and we recognized a feeling of solidarity and mutual understanding of things that we are navigating through as women.

Each session began with a reflection with a theme (including some props!) as we sat around a low round table.   Then we moved to the tables, and during those weeks we worked with paints, clay, tree branches, canvases, fabrics, yarn, shiny objects, wood, assorted beads, appliqués, and more.  Dawn and Carly were excellent and knowledgeable facilitators, and so encouraging and guiding to all of us.  Lovely mellow music played softly in the background!

This project has reinforced my hope that women will draw from their own talents and strengths and take every opportunity to talk together and take time form themselves in the busyness and ups and downs of life.  We are better able to care for others when we also do the same for ourselves.

We are the hands and feet of God in this world, and the face of God is in everyone we meet.  The fellowship and sharing during our art therapy project really demonstrated the feelings and experiences that we have as women, and that we’re all in this life together.

Sone of the written comments shared by the participants: A break from everyday stress. A time to play.  Something to look forward to.  People talk like a family, so much care between everyone.  In kindred silence Ideas come to life expressed. Doing something for myself. Truthful. Welcoming. Calming. Healthy. Relaxed. Reflection. Courageous.

At the conclusion of our program, Dawn Chaput, art therapist wrote: “When Carly and I asked the group what it has meant to them, the most touching response was hearing how the artmaking invited a sharing of stories and experience that went deeper than they usually do, and that they got to know one another in new ways. That was an honor to hear because it really felt like Carly and I were guests who entered into a forest which has stood strong long before we came and will continue long after we leave. We are grateful to have the experience of being among this group for a short time. The space to create and be in community with each other was a healing and integrative experience for many.