My Everyday Sacred
an All-Church Photo Project sponsored by Spiritual Formation
The My Everyday Sacred Photo Exhibit
sponsored by the Spiritual Formation Council and
curated by the Everyday Sacred Project Task Force,
was unveiled on Sunday, June 17 and was on display around the church for many weeks afterwards.
Below are many of the entries. We hope you
will enjoy the results of this project.Share what you find sacred and spiritual through photographs.
Our congregants were invited to participate in an all-church photo project in which they would capture what they found sacred in their everyday lives. Along with each photo (anywhere from 1 to 10 photos per person) participants were asked to write a narrative/description that would give any viewer an idea of their intent. No experience was necessary to participate and all ages were invited. By sharing photographs we hoped to strengthen each other’s awareness of the sacred, holy, and spiritual in daily life.—You may click on any of these images to view the larger version.—
This is a collection of shells, rocks and other mementos I have collected from camping trips and vacation. I always marvel at the inherent beauty and delicate patterns of God's creation, even in such ordinary objects. -Ashok
"I am a Child of God"
The photo is of my friend's daughter facing the Atlantic Ocean, the ocean I grew up with, the ocean I love to visit. This photo reminds me of me - my little girl my innerchild, "Little Cindy." I have always loved the sea. I grew up in Far Rockaway, N.Y. walking distance to the ocean. Summerdays were spent with my grandparents at the beach. We’d leave the house at 8 am literally armed with chairs, umbrellas and lots of food and towels. We’d return by nightfall. My brothers and I learned to swim through our familiarity and comfort with the sea. We respected its strength and power. We celebrated its movement and refreshment. As a teenager I came to love the beach “off season.” I love to walk along the shore in the Fall and Winter. My feet were often the first footprints after a snowfall. The sea is where I spoke to god and brought my emerging questions about life and presented my emotional struggles. It was me and God. Just the two of us meeting at the shoreline. God moved through the sea to strengthen me. My visits to the sea remind me of who I am and to whom I belong. I am reminded of my own strength and the Great Power that lies beyond the shore. God is great, greater than all our weary world and hurtful human deeds, greater than all our limitations. God is great and I belong to God. (photo taken August 2005, pre-Katrina waters) -Cindy
After the last rain in April, I looked over my roses and a certain scripture came to mind, speaking to new life and new creation. It is from the “Last Words of David.” 2 Samuel 23:4
He is like the light of morning
at sunrise On a cloudless morning, Like the brightness after rain That bring the grass from the earth. -Doris
Her name is Chocolate. Now who wouldn't love a dog with a name like that. Just look at those eyes. Chocolate's early life was rough and she must have suffered greatly. When my neighbor Cindy adopted her, she growled and barked fiercely at everyone. But over time she has become less and less afraid. She has increased her circle of friends and acquaintances and is dearly loved by many. Chocolate reminds me that the universe often gives us a second chance.
Books have saved my life many a time. All kinds of books. Mysteries, spiritual books, classic fiction, self-help books, how-to-books, biographies, children's books and trashy novels. And the library has them all. To me, the library is truly a sacred space.
The old hymn says it best: For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth, over and around us lies; Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. -Lynn
Sierra with Rings: For over twenty years, my “everyday life” has included the privilege of seeing babies on the very cusp of life – sometimes long before anyone expected to actually SEE them. Sierra was one of the babies who touched me deeply, showing incredible spirit and the sacredness of life, even life that is struggling to be. Born out of love, Sierra clutches her mother’s wedding rings – big enough to be full size bracelets on her tiny wrists. Although this little life was sacred no matter its length (minutes, hours, weeks or years), a special privilege this spring, seven years after I took this picture, was to see Sierra delighting in her visit to the Keiskamma Altarpiece, and writing her comments in the guest book!
Salamander in Hands: Last summer, on an Elderhostel Intergenerational trip, an excited group of 9-12 year old children and their grandparents explored the woods in search of materials for an art project. Many discoveries did not yield “art materials,” but rather the awe of creation itself. The presence of God in a world so rich in life, diversity, and beauty was everywhere. The gentleness with which the children found and cradled in their hands one of these creations provided a sacred moment on my walk.
Becoming A Big Sister: Just over a year ago, our granddaughter Emma greeted her newborn sister Megan in the hospital. Both gentle and curious, she took little time in welcoming her with a sisterly hug. What better expression of God’s presence than new life!
Love Across Generations: Sara shares a tight hug with her great-grandmother Libbie at her 100th birthday celebration. The bond between these two is indescribable and the love they express for one another is a testament to the God who IS love! -Dorothy
The following set of 20 images was supplied by our 2007 Confirmation class. This is what they found sacred in their everyday lives while on Retreat...
“…a little gem of innocence inside you that makes you want to believe that there still exists a right and wrong, that decency will somehow triumph in the end…” -Lise Hand
“To see a world in a grain of sand, And a heaven in a wild flower: Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, And eternity in an hour.” -William Blake
The sparkle in an expecting parents’ eye and a touch so soft on your hand – A small yawn and a baby’s head falling into place on your chest, asleep – the joy of knowing you are bringing new life to all those around you are always sacred, everyday. -Emily
Dave Patterson sees the sacred in nature’s changes daily and seasonally, and shares them with others.
Flowers display God’s beauty in nature and remind me to see and celebrate the beauty in everyone.
Singing and being in fellowship with friends, like our Shareringer group, allows me to feel God’s love on a personal level.
Serendipitous moments, as was this butterfly landing on my shoe, let me remember to look for unexpected blessing each day.
Grandchildren taking a daily bath remind me of the sacredness of enjoying each moment God have bestowed upon me.
Seeing the silhouette of my Dad in his late 80’s at the end of the day makes me so grateful for all the days God has given me with family.
Praying daily for someone (Jed Reitler) that I’ve sponsored for a prayer quilt who is awaiting a kidney transplant.
My daughter and son-in-law looking into each other’s eyes reminds me of my New Year’s resolution to make more daily eye contact with others, to connect on a deeper level. -Joyce
God creates us in His image. He is in us. We are all on a sacred journey to find God in others and to allow others to find God in us. These photographs are of some of my Golden Bull customers. Finding God in them has been a joy.
Lee and Georgie Ford's families have lived in the Pacific Palisades for at least four generations and family means everything to them. They reveal God's image in their primary concern for others above themselves.
Mildred and Ysidro Reyes have been married nearly 59 years. Ysidro is 96 years old and still works a few days a week. Mildred and Ysidro have been i nthe mortuary business for many years and know everyone in Santa Monica. I see God in them in their resilience, in their perseverance, and in their faith.
Beba and Lee Leventhal are holocaust survivors. Beba is outgoing and Lee is quiet. They have been married for well over 50 years and have two grown children, one a lawyer and one a psychiatrist. God shines in them in their enduring love for friends and family and in their strength.
Elaine and Joe Wechsler have been my customers for 33 years. Elaine is a retired science and teacher and Joe was an engineer and math tutor. They are Pacific Palisades neighbors and friends of the Leventhals. They manifest the God in them in their devotion to one another, for better or word, for more than 60 years. -Linda Diane
