The final week of the 10-week Peaced Together Creative Arts course was held at the end of July 2022. It was a real celebration of everything that was created, as well as a celebration of friendships made and community grown.
Led by Steph and Judith, the group were guided through crafts as well as through thought-provoking topics which helped us all make sense of our lives and experiences and to grow a little in confidence and wisdom. There were lots of shared stories, glue, paint, sewing, tea and cake! It was a fun 10 weeks, shared with some special people who it was a privilege to get to know.
There were lots of shared stories, glue, paint, sewing, tea and cake!
One of the group, Val, has shared her experience, her worry about coming, and the inspiration and joy she found in the group. You can read her story and one of her poems below.
We are hoping to run another Peaced Together course in Autumn 2022. If you are interested and would like to know more, please contact Lorraine Jones on 07850 631168 or by email at localpastor@hwmc.org.uk
Lorraine Jones, Local Pastor
From Val…
Having just recently moved to the York area I needed to make new friends and so quickly enrolled on the Peaced Together course, only to find I really had ‘jumped in at the deep end.’ Discussing my dilemma with a trusted friend, her clear advice “Don’t do it then!” only seemed to spur me on.
The course was fairly difficult and not what I had expected but, with help, the weekly commitment and subsequent challenges proved to be good for me. Also, being self-critical by nature, it was refreshing to be exposed to a group with a relaxed, unspoken ‘can-do’ attitude.
As well as trying new crafts—including weaving, sewing, painting, découpage and mosaic, and keeping a weekly scrapbook—the course inspired me to write some poems. Knowing that all was in confidence, sharing them was not too difficult. The final week was a coming together of our work as a display in the church, with friends and family invited. This was a lovely ending as we were given a surprise certificate for completing the course. Photos were taken, followed by refreshments.
It was refreshing to be exposed to a group with a relaxed, unspoken ‘can-do’ attitude
We are meeting up again towards the end of September to be given a demonstration by a course member of some of her regional recipes.
All in all I consider Peaced Together a unique opportunity for strengthening everything that really matters to me in body, mind and spirit. It has helped me not only to make new friends but also beginning to feel more at home in the community.
I would like to thank those who organised and supported us during the 10 weeks of the course.
Valerie Cowtan
Peaced Together by Valerie Cowtan
It’s difficult
to put into words
taking a step
into the unknown
at first sight
the challenges
were unexpected
best get on with it
a step at a time
brokenness, beauty, treasures
thankfulness for difficulties
hope courage and love
the challenges grew
patience self-control
choices were difficult
peace and forgiveness
the hardest of all
but in remembering wise words
it’s not the destination
that counts
it’s the journey
The ongoing truth
awaits discovery
of God’s promises
of restoring
what is broken
into something
amazing
clearly pointing
to an ongoing journey
requiring faith
to fix our eyes
on the author
and the perfecter of faith
namely Jesus
who loves us consistently
will never let us go
and will be with us
to the ends of the earth
a journey where peace is
a restoration
The Next Peaced Together Course
We are hoping to run another Peaced Together course in Autumn 2022. If you are interested and would like to know more, please contact Lorraine Jones on 07850 631168 or by email at localpastor@hwmc.org.uk