“Stations of the Cross” Art Open House Deeply Impacts St Timothy’s Community

The experience of Good Friday this year was deeply enriched by a new initiative at St. Timothy Anglican Church in Williston, VT. Our congregation spends the evening of Good Friday in worship with other churches in a collaborative effort, but this year we wanted to create a space for contemplation within our normal sanctuary space. We created a “Stations of the Cross” Art Open House to offer this space.

At the beginning of Lent, we invited any artists, of any level, from the congregation to choose one of the Scriptural Stations of the Cross. Using the medium of their choice, they could create a piece of art. We welcomed visual, performance, or literary art. In addition, we reached out to local Christian artists, and artists we knew from around the ADNE. A few of our church members created a team to work on the display and details.

In all, we had one piece from an ADNE artist, two from local Christians outside St. Timothy, and twelve from the St. Timothy congregation. We had hoped for a good response and decent art, and were shocked at the enthusiasm and incredible variety and quality of the pieces!

Following the stripping of the altar and the Maundy Thursday worship, the stations were set up around our sanctuary.

As people arrived, they were given books with the scriptures, and allowed to move at their own pace through the road of the cross, with the sanctuary and altar still draped and quiet. At times, a cappella songs of Good Friday were sung, and people were welcome to stay and sit as long as they felt they should.

The feedback was incredible. Members of St. Timothy, members of the broader Christian community, friends of the artists, and members of the broader community came through and were tremendously blessed. Wonderful, encouraging conversations happened between believers, and the atmosphere of the room was quiet and somber, but holy. As people shared their experiences, it was clear that the variety, pace, and individuality of the Stations deeply touched those who came through.

This was a completely new endeavor for us, and the Lord blessed it abundantly. We are already looking forward to inviting the congregation to create new Stations next year.

Several of the artists have given permission to share photos of their pieces - enjoy!