Henna Artwork Stories as Ministry

Two days ago I was blessed to meet a group of 9 young women, last year's intern who was heading back again this year, and one of the organization's leaders of 10/40 Connections over dinner during part of their team training at Burks UMC as they prepare to soon head off to a foreign country to minister to women. 

Yesterday I went back to spend more time with them to observe some of their ministry:  story telling through henna artwork.  Quite a few folks came out to become the media (or guinea pigs) for the artwork.  Amazingly, some of the young women had just begun to learn the henna artwork only days before.  If I didn't know that, I wouldn't have been able to tell. 

There were three stories being shared yesterday: the Holy Spirit (God's Spirit), the woman at the well (Living Water That Brings Eternal Peace), and the man being lowered through the roof (Peace in Forgiveness). 

The stories were shared with each group prior to the henna artists working on the volunteers.  Some of the volunteers and artists practiced the story during the artwork while others engaged in conversation to get to know one another.  Some worked in concentrated silence.

I learned that there was both an easy and a difficult/advanced pattern.  Most artists chose to work from the easy pattern.  After comparing and contrasting the two, I can see why.  At the beginning stage, it would be fairly difficult, if not impossible, to attempt the difficult/advanced pattern.

Each artist did beautiful work.  It was incredible to observe the patterns take shape and emerge into the story.

The atmosphere in the room was one peace, comfort, and fulfilled satisfaction.  It was a blessed time of community sharing.

After the henna art is completed, it takes about a half hour for the henna to dry.  It will then begin to crack and come off.  The longer it stays on, the better (for a longer lasting pattern).  Typically the resulting henna pattern will remain about 1 week before it fades away. 

Stories and pictures are wonderful ways to connect with others.  They are also a wonderful way to share God's story.  I haven't heard of using henna art to share God's story with others before this, so I was intrigued.  I find this to be a wonderful way of sharing time with another person and sharing the Good News. 

Though I didn't exactly keep track of how long it took to do the henna pattern, I imagine that would depend on the expertise of the artist and whether or not one was doing the easy or the difficult/advanced pattern.  It seemed that most were able to do the easy pattern in about 30 minutes, maybe less.  Some may have taken more time.  It was a new experience for most of the artists, so as they practice the different patterns, they might be able to do them more quickly.  But, why would you want to?  Part of the ministry is conversation and ministry of presence.  Simply being able to be in contact and connection with the other human being and being able to pray for them unbeknownst to them and unawares is a wonderful ministry.  That's my opinion.  I don't know if that is even part of the plan.

The organization or ministry, as I mentioned earlier, is 10/40 Connections.  You can learn more about them by clicking on either link in this blog post.  Their mission statement from their webpage states: "10/40 Connections cultivates global community by equipping believers and by engaging in innovative ministries that fight injustice, empower children, and plant multiplying churches among the least reached."

Each time I heard someone share about what they have seen or done, I was inspired and encouraged.  I encourage you to check out their website and learn more about them. 

They also have a FaceBook presence if you'd like to check that out too: 10/40 Connections on FaceBook.

Because I was curious about henna storytelling, I searched to see what else I could find about the topic.  I found a blogpost from Redcliffe College with an embedded 5:55 minute vimeo video showing Creation to Christ henna.  There are related links from that source too.

Here is a "Henna and the Gospel" video by Mina Rowland from YouTube.

There is a Henna Evangelism website if you are interested in seeing more examples of henna art.  This website also contains downloadable resources of the art if you are interested in trying this out for yourself.  I was able to find the patterns that were used yesterday and included the specific links above in the post from this Henna Evangelism website so you can have a better idea of the patterns because my pictures of the patterns (as you will see) aren't as good as the real thing.

Here are some of the pictures I took of the henna artwork yesterday.

The patterns:

Peace Through God's Spirit

Living Water That Brings Eternal Peace

Peace in Forgiveness



Peace Through God's Spirit--Advanced Pattern



Peace Through God's Spirit--Easy Pattern

The utensil:

the henna "pen"

The artwork:

 

Group pictures:

 



all hands in

all the volunteers and the artists





The lead pastor at Burks UMC, Rev. Rowland Buck came out for some henna art too.  He didn't want to miss out on the opportunity to tell the God's Spirit story at Annual Conference (Holston Annual Conference) that starts Sunday, June 8th (Pentecost Sunday).  If you see him at Annual Conference, make sure you get him to tell you the story of the henna art to see if he remembers it!

 

Henna may not be your thing.  That's okay.  One thing I hope this post does is cause the creative juices to flow.  How might you share God's story with another person? 

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

My interest in Muslims...

In my post about the Holston Muslim Outreach Team, I said I would write about my interest in Muslims and why I would attend such a program.  It may seem strange to some that I am interested in learning more about Muslims because I don't speak Arabic (Spanish and French are my languages).

Here goes...

In undergraduate studies at Georgia Southern, I minored in International Studies.  I took courses that opened my awareness to "the other".  I also took my first trip abroad, to Spain, during my undergraduate studies.  Though we lived in Segovia for the majority of our time there, at the end of our studies we took a trip through southern Spain and into Ceuta, Morocco for the day.  Not only did I have book-learning of the Moors and their influence, I saw first hand the beauty of the culture in the tiles and archways in those places.

One of my linguist cousins (Frank) studied Arabic and spent some time in Yemen, so there was awareness in my life there, though I'm sure I could be much more aware and learn much more from him.  One summer when I was studying French at Middlebury College, he was teaching Arabic on campus (if memory serves me correctly).

During my years of teaching at Bryan College, I met missionary kids from other cultures.  One student in my French classes spoke Arabic.  I spoke no Arabic.  She had spent time in Saudi Arabia, I believe.  Oddly enough one day in our French 3 outing off campus, I thought I said something in French yet she thought she heard something in Arabic. 

I know one of the members of the Holston Muslim Outreach Team.  I have known Bex for many years.  We went to Costa Rica on at least one mission trip together.  Was that 2000 to La Suiza?  After her Costa Rica time, she went off to college and also spent time in the Philippines and Egypt.  We kept up with her adventures, travels, and studies through the years.  When she left for camel-land to learn Arabic, we were excited for her.  We kept in touch with her through those adventures too.  I have been able to learn about the Muslim people through her eyes and her voice and she shares her experiences and relationships. 

In 2011, I took a United Methodist Polity and Discipline course for my theological studies.  One of our assignments was that we had to first write an Issue/Controversy paper and then write a research paper on a controversial topic.  Because of what had happened fairly recently at that time in Murfreesboro, my topic for the first paper was "Opening UMC Doors to Muslims: Is This an Acceptable Practice?" and for my second paper the title was "Opening UMC Doors to Muslims: continuing the dialogue".  I found resources in my research within the United Methodist church that were helpful at the time.    One of those resources was from The Book of Resolutions, "Our Muslim Neighbors".  This was available in print in the 2008 version.  I'm not sure it is in print in the 2012 version, but you can read "Our Muslim Neighbors" online by clicking on either title.  The link will take you to an online version of the General Board of Church and Society.  It is 6061 in The Book of Resolutions (2008).

My research for those papers led me to discussions with the pastor in Cordova, Tennessee and to those who had worked with Muslims in other parts of the world.  This research had a profound effect on me as it opened my eyes.

The day before I was heading to the program to learn more about Muslims from the Muslim Outreach Team, an AT&T representative called me to try to convince me to change services.  We had a wonderful conversation.  This guy was new at his job, but was good.  He was personable, yet not pushy.  I enjoyed my conversation with him.  Normally I would have hung up much sooner after having said I wasn't interested.  But he kept me on the line.  I learned he was in Niagara, Canada.  Since I had been to the Canadian side of the falls, that interested me.  He mentioned his home was Sudan.  That peaked my interest.  I shared with him that I knew some about the country and the splits (the Methodist Church as the Children's home in Yei, South Sudan).  We talked some about his home area too.  He mentioned speaking Arabic.  I shared that I speak languages.  I told him I was going the next day to learn more about Muslims.  He seemed intrigued.  Was that coincidence or serendipity that I had this wonderful conversation with Amro the day before? 

The Muslim neighbor is my neighbor.  He or she may not live directly to my left or to my right, but I guarantee you that we shop at many of the same places and our children attend the same schools.  I may not even know this person, but if I want to be a neighbor to this person I see at the store or at the school, the more I know, the better.

In case you think I'm picking out one certain group from another, let me assure you that I realize that my "neighbor" is also of European descent, Native-American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, ETC.  I hope "etc." will cover all the continents and countries... or I would be typing for a very long time.

My neighbor is anyone and everyone.  For me to know my neighbor means that I must be open to knowing my neighbor.  I must be open to having a conversation, to sharing life, to sharing a meal.  For me, this is what life is about.... sharing our lives with one another.  Getting to know one another.

It's about peace and reconciliation.  It's about loving and supporting one another.  It's about being intentional in taking and making time to get to know others.

In your world, in your community, in your neighborhood, who is it that you need to learn more about, to know better?   What resources do you need to guide you in your learning?

If you are seeking to know Muslims better and live in the Holston Conference, I encourage you to take advantage of the resources offered by the Muslim Outreach Team.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Additional resources/articles I found:

Supporting our Muslim Brothers and Sisters (article from a Northern Illinois church)
The Fountains UMC (an example of a church doing interfaith ministry, going beyond interfaith dialogue)
Bridge Refugee Services (an agency dedicated to helping refugees settle locally.  This is one way to help a neighbor.)
Bridge Chattanooga office

GBOD Resources-- Studies about Islam (There are quite a few resources listed here.)
Office of Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships (Scroll down to download a brochure entitled "Basic Facts about Islam")

Holston Muslim Outreach Team

Yesterday I was able to attend the first program of the Holston Muslim Outreach Team at a local church, Hixson UMC.  The Holston Muslim Outreach Team has been in existence since 1991, but has primarily been focused on other countries.  Due to life changes, they have shifted their perspective for now to help educate, inform, and equip us about Muslims and Islam from their years of experience.

Though I didn't get an exact head count of all who attended, between the two sessions there were about 31 attendees. Most of the folks stayed for the entire day (10am--3pm). 

The majority of the team was there, with one exception, Steve M.  He made his presence known, however, through a film he produced (available at the end of this blog post).  Though it would have been good to meet him in person and hear from him too, life doesn't always work out perfectly.  Seeing the film he produced was a great start.

team member Bruce P. speaking with an attendee



team members Bruce P. and Bex S.

team member Emy P. (on right) speaking with an attendee

Each of the sessions provided helpful information, as did Q&A (Question and Answer) time.  Though there was official Q&A time set aside for the afternoon, there was some in the morning.  In the afternoon time, some questions that had arisen out of the morning session, but hadn't been asked had been written down and were addressed by the team.  That was good.

Here are the sessions and some links for further information.  I hope you will find something here helpful to you or to someone you know.   If you're wondering why I'm interested in this topic, I'll address that in a separate post.

Rev. Paul Longmire, Associate Pastor at Hixson UMC opened up the program with a greeting and prayer.  I learned during the program that he is on the Holston Muslim Outreach Team.

Rev. Paul Longmire

Yesterday's sessions:  (basic information from the provided program schedule, edited slightly)

Introduction and overview of the day
   Who is the Muslim Outreach Team and why do we care about Muslims?

Session 1: Who are Muslims and what do they believe?
   We'll explore the basic beliefs and values in Islam, a Muslim understanding of Jesus, Muslim populations around the world, similarities and differences in Christian and Muslim spiritual history and beliefs, and significant cultural and political values of Muslims worldwide.  Presented by Bex S.

Session 2: "Islam in America: The Christian Truth" film
   Rev. Steve M.'s documentary shows the lives, beliefs, and challenges of Muslims living in America.  The film shows Christians who were initially suspicious of Muslims, but formed life-long friendships.  We will discuss how reconciliation work can overcome misconceptions of both Muslims and Christians.

Lunch and discussion groups

Session 3: Muslims and the good news of Jesus
    We will explore the good news of Jesus specifically for Muslims, how to break down barriers of culture and prejudice between Christians and Muslims, how to build friendships with Muslims, what Muslim ministry looks like worldwide, and ways we can respectfully and purposefully share our faith with Muslims.  Presented by Rev. Bruce P.
   
Session 4: Q&A and looking ahead
    This is the time for unanswered questions and going deeper into particular issues of interest.  We will also explore possible next steps for people who want to keep learning and/or get involved in Muslim friendship building and reconciliation work.


Resources:

Holston Muslim Outreach Team Website

"Islam in America: The Christian Truth" film by Steve M.

Carl Medearis' Website (his books were recommended)

Carl Medearis on YouTube

Where There Was No Church, E.J. Martin (recommended)

GBOD Studies about Islam (There are quite a few resources listed here.)

Office of Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships (scroll down to download a brochure entitled "Basic Facts About Islam")

Articles from Mission Frontiers: (These are resources I found.  I don't know if the Holston Muslim Outreach Team would recommend these or not, so these aren't endorsed by them yet.)

Start a Disciple-Making Movement Among Your Muslim Neighbors (July 2013)
The Story-Teller, the Dhow, and the Fishers of Men: Orality in Relation to Muslim Communities Coming to Faith (May 2014)



This is only a brief highlight of what you can actually get by attending one of the Holston Muslim Outreach Team programs.  Hopefully there is something here that can help you in the present and connect you to more information and help in and for the future.

Whether you are seeking information for yourself or others, may there be opportunities in your journey to share peace and make steps toward reconciliation with each and every neighbor in your path.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

NOTE:  The Holston Muslim Outreach Team has a brochure available, but I couldn't find it on the website currently. 

Stringer's Ridge Trails.... a gorgeous morning

This morning we walked/hiked up at Stringer's Ridge.  This area is newly renovated and opened to walkers, bicyclists, and runners.  In order to avoid collisions on the paths, there are directional instructions based on the day of the week for the different outdoor enthusiasts.

We started at the Spears Trailhead.  The trailhead parking area provided a good 10-12 parking spaces, a picnic table, a large map of the area, and a port-a-john.  The trail markings were abundant and clear.  In fact, I haven't seen a trail system so adequately marked.  That was refreshing to see.  Click here for a map of Stringer's Ridge.

During our adventure we encountered two snakes, a turtle, a runner, some other walkers, a woman with a stroller full of kids.  It was overall fairly quiet for a Friday morning outing.

The highlight very well could be the overlook.  They have done a tremendous job on this overlook.  There are three block benches for seating on the structure that goes out over the drop off.  The view is gorgeous.   Though a little hazy this morning, one could still see downtown well.

Being on the trail with a botanist and his number one sidekick means that I got to learn new things today.  I saw native magnolia trees.  Their leaves are HUMONGOUS.  Not the magnolia trees I grew up with in my yard nor that my grandmother had, which I learned are native to Mississippi.  I saw Japanese grass, Kudzu, tick weed, funky fungus that turned out to be elegant stinkhorn (Mutinus elegans), the fruit of the may apple, Christmas fern that looked that a stocking (though I thought it looked like an oversized mitten), etc.  Some things I had seen during my spring walks and had learned, but had not seen in this state.  The indian pink was beginning to shrivel and fade away. 

elegant stinkhorn

mushroom

May apple

Ginger, little brown jug, pig's nose

tick weed

It was good to be out in creation, walking along the paths in the woods.  The majority of the paths we walked were in the woods, though some were the gravel roads which are remnants of the roads and driveways from the neighborhoods from days gone by. 

If you live locally and haven't checked out Stringer's Ridge, I encourage you to do so.

If you are planning to come to the Chattanooga area and you are looking for a place to hike, check it out.

Lastly, I saw this quote today on Facebook on the Shalem Institute site by Gerald May and it fit very well for today:

"In order to let God lead, you have to be relatively free from the things that normally determine your thoughts and actions. I find it best to be outdoors, away from the habits of household and civilization. Familiar surroundings always seem to demand certain activities from me. I sit a certain way in a chair, act a certain way in a room, think along particular lines in a particular place. Outdoors, especially in a fairly wild place, I'm much fresher, more immediately available for whatever inspiration might come."

Today's walk/hike outdoors was definitely refreshing.  And with the snakes and turtle sighting (and the odd plant life), there was some "wild" involved.   Maybe as I walked those paths, God was working and leading inwardly in my heart, mind, and soul.  Who knows?

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

covered avea.. looked cool

erosion at beginning of Spears Trailhead

 

trail

graffiti on the concrete block foundation

 

Christmas fern

magnolia leaves

 

More links about Stringer's Ridge:

Article in Times Free Press, September 2013
Friends of Stringer's Ridge Facebook Page
The Trust for Public Land-- Stringer's Ridge