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Invitation to Photography: Community – Who is your tribe?

button-photographyWelcome to this month’s Abbey Photo Party!

select a theme and invite you to respond with images.

We began this month with a Community Lectio Divina practice with our reflection on the theme of Community (one of the principles of the Monk Manifesto) and belonging based on a quote by Thomas Merton.

I invite you for this month’s Photo Party to hold these words in your heart as you go out in the world to receive images in response. As you walk be ready to see what is revealed to you as a visual expression of your prayer.

You can share images you already have which illuminate the theme, but I encourage you also to go for a walk with the theme in mind and see what you discover.

You are also welcome to post photos of any other art you create inspired by the theme.  See what stirs your imagination!

How to participate:

You can post your photo either in the comment section below* (there is now an option to upload a file with your comment – your file size must be smaller than 1MB – you can re-size your image for free here – choose the “small size” option and a maximum width of 500).

You can also join our Holy Disorder of Dancing Monks Facebook group and post there. Feel free to share a few words about the process of receiving this image and how it speaks of the harvest for you.

*Note: If this is your first time posting, or includes a link, your comment will need to be moderated before it appears. This is to prevent spam and should be approved within 24 hours.

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4 Responses

  1. These little birds are part of my tribe. I watch the birds that flock to our maple tree throughout the seasons.

    Valentines Day Storm

    Strong wind arises
    Bamboo bends in surrender
    Stalks pliable receiving God’s breath

    Infinitesimal snowflakes flurry about
    Landscape changing
    A new vision

    Foggy white miracle
    Covers the earth
    Wind calls the birds by name

    At twilight they scurry to fill themselves
    Gathering in communion
    Natural worship of our Creator

    God’s wind calls us out by name
    Snowflakes melt on our skin
    Cold wind stings the face with pleasure

    Snow swirling about gentle and soft
    Cold outside, inside heart melting,
    As the snowflakes find their place in this world.

    Strong wind blows
    Bend in surrender
    Receive God’s Breath

  2. Here is the art I created around chapter 8 Community in Artists Rule. This is my family tree of spiritual and artistic friends.