Spend time in prayer and in creation, collaborating with the Creator. Explore a selection of arts-based methods of prayer, spiritual discernment, and dialogue with Spirit. Pray as you draw, paint, listen to poetry, create a prayer bead strand, listen to music, meditatively move*, center in the silence, and journal. Cross the threshold of a blank surface in faith that you will be led – your mark-making and the motion of your hands – a prayer. Receive the gift of God’s presence, love, and guidance. Share your learnings and your gratitude with others. No experience necessary.

*Moving meditations can be done from a standing or seated position.

Materials needed for each session

I: June 1, 6-8pm Eastern Time ~ “Welcoming Mystery”
Please bring:

• several colors of watercolor paint (hard cakes or tubes)
• a container with water
• 3-5 watercolor or sumi brushes in various shapes/sizes
• a sheet of 16×20 or 18×24 watercolor paper
• a pair of scissors
• some paper towels
• something(s) with which to draw
• something(s) with which to write
• your course packet (provided soon!)

II: June 8, 6-8pm Eastern Time ~ “Discerning and Naming Our Prayers”
Prep between sessions:
Cut long, thin, triangular shapes from magazine pages (choose colors that appeal to you). See insert in (upcoming) packet about possible shapes.
Please bring:

• your course packet
• your single-sheet watercolor book (made in Session I)
• your cut paper strips
• 2 round pencils, pens, or chopsticks (that you don’t mind potentially getting gluey)
• Elmer’s glue
• a needle with an eye that can hold what you choose to use to string your beads:
  • embroidery floss, beading string or elastic, yarn, or very strong thread. You might also use wire for this.
• a piece of palette paper, wax paper, or several scrap magazine pages to protect your table surface from getting sticky
• something(s) with which to write INCLUDING:
  • a thin permanent marker
  • a pencil or pen

III: June 15, 6-8pm Eastern Time ~ “Creatively Praying”
Please bring:

• your course packet
• your single-sheet watercolor book
• your ring of prayer beads (made in Session II)
• drawing and coloring supplies
• something(s) with which to write

Leader(s)

Jesse White is a narrative expressionist artist and writer. She is the author of the upcoming Pendle Hill Pamphlet God’s Invitation to Creative Play (PHP #468). Her vocational background is in teaching and in expressive arts therapy. Jesse served as the Arts and Spirituality Coordinator for Pendle Hill from 2013-2020 and currently serves as the Director of Pigeon Arts, a cathartic art-making organization serving the Greater Philadelphia area (please see pigeon-arts.com). She also is pleased to serve as clerk as Frankford Monthly Meeting (PA).

Financial aid may be available. If you are seeking funds to participate in this program, click to review and complete our Financial Assistance Application and a Pendle Hill staff member will follow-up with you shortly (please do NOT register online). Thank you for your interest.

Travel directions to Pendle Hill.