#228 Precious

These precious children in our church are ready for the Christmas pageant.

Free Theme #3 - Experience #2

Making, wrapping, and delivering fruit baskets

to people in our small church is a new experience for me.

Our women's group thought fruit would be a better

choice than candy and cookies, which was the traditional

activity. It was fun and I hope we do it again next year.

#192 Musical

So much joy, so little time.

Even the beginners do a great job with the bells.

Some are playing chimes (the long, stick-looking instruments)

instead of bells.

Trinity United Methodist Church, Idaho Falls.

#191 Music

Trinity United Methodist Church features an

annual Christmas bell concert. So excellent!

(And another "Three!")

#35 Candles

One of our acolytes, or candle lighters, takes his job very seriously

on the first Sunday of Advent.

#277 Something About You (Me)

This photo says three things about me.

1. "It Is Well with My Soul" is my favorite hymn and there are instructions to sing it at my funeral.
2. There are four hymnals in the photo. The rest of the collection (all different) is in a box in the garage. Why do we have so many hymnals? For some reason, at one time I thought it was important. Neither my husband nor I play piano, so that isn't it. We have become attached to them so they haven't been given to someone who could actually use them - yet.
3. I have been singing since I was a child and have an ear for harmony. My mother taught me to look for the alto notes and if that fails, listen for the piano (or guitar) harmony. Sometimes I can make up my own harmony without doing much damage to the original. I love to sing along to recorded music and have been known to join in (hopefully quietly to myself) during public performances. I try not to be too intrusive. Not all churches have choirs but I still enjoy the harmony voices of the hymns during congregation singing. I remember a pastor say that the hymnal should be one of every Christian's collection of important books along with the Bible and prayer book. (By the way, I'm not a great singer and don't do solos. I just make a joyful noise.)

Just a little something about me.

#168 Letters in Architecture

The letter "O" - the rose window at the Cathedral of the Rockies/1st United Methodist Church.

Boise, Idaho.

#361 Window

One of many stained glass windows features the prodigal son, one of the most favorite parables in the New Testament.

Cathedral of the Rockies/1st United Methodist Church, Boise, Idaho.

#170 Lightness

The eight stained glass panels were rescued from the former building and "repurposed" to light the narthex (foyer) of the new church.

Cathedral of the Rockies/1st United Methodist Church, Boise, Idaho.

#233 Reaching Up

The seventeen spires of Air Force Academy Chapel, Colorado Springs, Colorado reach up to the sky which is close since the Academy is above 6,500 feet altitude.

 Interior of the Protestant Chapel. You can almost see the tall aluminum cross in front of the window.

The building also houses Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, and Muslim chapels. Magnificent. I could have spent a lot more time soaking up the art, beauty, and quietness of these worship spaces.

Google for a virtual tour - worth your time!

#196 Negative Space

In my understanding of negative space, the actual object is white (negative space) while the dark area forms the negative space. This window was one of several in the St. Gertrude Monastery chapel, Cottonwood, Idaho.

#296 Tables

Just some of the tables at this weekend's church yard sale. I think I counted twelve tables. The rest of the stuff was scattered on the lawn and sidewalk. I would be surprised if we sold 10% of the clothing. One of our church members said they used to give away all the clothing they collected. I'm thinking that's a good idea.It was a LOT of work but I'm glad to report that we collected $600 for Week of Compassion, an ecumenical world relief organization. It's such a drop in the bucket for places like Haiti and Somalia but every little bit helps.

#240 Religion

Easter Sunrise Service, April 24, 2011, Snake River Landing, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

The Lutherans (ELCA) and Disciples of Christ gather at the river on a freezing but not windy or snowy Easter morning to celebrate the resurrection.

We have portable music! It was not easy to play guitar with frozen fingers. They were troopers!

The rising sun shines on rejoicing faces.

The pastor blesses the cup while the pelicans adorn our background.

Participants celebrate by partaking of the Eucharist/Communion/Lord's Supper.

#208 Orange

In keeping with finding man-made objects for the colors, the pew cushions at Trinity United Methodist Church fit the bill quite well. Kinda clashes with the red and purple liturgical colors but, oh, well.

#55 Comfort Foods

Plain fare of soup and bread is served at the Friday Lenten Lunch. Although Lent is a tough time in the church year, soup is a welcome comfort food.

#58 Contemporary

It's the season of weekly Lenten lunches. Six churches participate, a different one each Friday. Yesterday our lunch was at the First Lutheran Church which has a very contemporary sanctuary. The photo does not do it justice. I enjoy each visit there.

#313 The Letter L

for Lent. My DH, the pastor, during imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday. Not all Protestants observe Ash Wednesday but our church feels it is an important time in the Liturgical Year.

#63 Critters

All creatures great and small. One of the stained glass windows in the First Christian Church, Nampa, Idaho. Aren't butterflies amazing! So much color. So much variety.

#46 Children

This mural, recently finished, is in the children's Sunday School room in our church. It is a fitting memorial to a dear member who recently passed away after a long illness. The artist is another member's grandson. We are all connected.

#26 Blurred

Big brother has been lighting the candles for a year or so. I think he's four. This was the first time little sister (age two, I think) showed any interest in participating. She followed him up, watched while he "did his thing" and walked back with him all on her own volition. By the time I got over the cuteness of it all and remembered my camera, I was rushing to get this shot and blurred it. Did I mention they were cute? (We are an informal church. The pastor encourages the presence and participation of children.)