Workshops and artworks in Belgium

In and around the beautiful abbey of Bornem (B) the “Art of Faith festival” was held for the fourth time from 8 to 10 May. The weather could not have been better and the encounters were encouraging.

Young and old from various church circles had come together here for encounter and inspiration. The unifying element, ‘the Nicene Creed’, reminded those present of the common foundation of the Christian faith. In the abbey – the Art Zone – art by Belgian and Dutch artists could be seen and workshops were given.

My contribution consisted of two sculptures that were given a place in the refectory. I was also able to give workshops, which took Francis of Assisi as their starting point. This year it is 800 years since he died, on 3 October. A good reason to pause and reflect on that.

As I see it, the life of Francis is an example of an ordinary person’s life. The way he is described in the books shows this. A young man who sets out to explore the world is converted. Once he has chosen God, his life shows an entirely different pattern. The Spirit of God does not merely touch him but is like a faithful friend who is always there. That is how he learns to understand the voice of the living God.

“One touch of the King changes everything”

Learning to hear and understand God is a fascinating process for which you need the Bible. During the workshops we did an exercise to gain insight into what God had to say to each of us individually. For that we went to the woods bordering the abbey. When we came back, everyone presented something they had brought from the woods that in some way related to their own process. Grasses, twigs, bark, pebbles, nuts and feathers evoked God’s gentle voice. The deep peace and the power of restoration were experienced in those moments. Insight into our own processes and inspiration for the future touched us to the depths of our hearts. Soli Deo Gloria (To God alone the glory).