Hello Friends and Family:        

Yes, Marching on!  It’s about to start snowing again but SPRING is marching on!  It is still light at 6:16PM today and there has been more rain than snow so far today.  Ha!  After what seemed like an endless February, March, April, and May are flying by already.  There are a few things coming up that we want to invite you to:

Saturday. March 15, 9:30-4:15pm “Healing Prayer Workshop” at Saint Luke’s Church in Cambridge, NY- Michael will be teaching on Healing Prayer and there will be opportunities for folks to receive healing prayer ministry.    

“Faces” Portrait exhibition curated by myself and in cooperation with the Hudson Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia County Arts Council, featuring 4 women artists showing portraits they have painted.  My Nelson Mandela portrait will be in that show among others.   Opens March 22.  Opening reception April 12, 6-8PM  

Icon Exhibition at Saint Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Woodstock, New York : myself, some of my students, and others have contributed to a beautiful array of icons for the Lenten observation at Saint Gregory’s. Call the church for viewing  times.

Voice of the Prophets Conference in Lancaster, PA will host Patricia King, Larry Randolph, Bob Hazlet, Randy Clark, Mavesh Chavda among others and worship with Martin Smith!!! We’re going, with our students – hope you can come too.

I’ve been exploring the art of community over the winter and am experiencing some wonderful relationships and activities as a result.  The message of community building is up this month not only with Bill Johnson at Bethel Church in Redding, PA for his March 2 sermon, but also with Pope Francis.  I’ve been reading a great biography of him “Francis, Bishop of Rome”, by Michael Collins.          I love drawing his portrait – here’s an early drawing – there will be more!

In “Only Love Can Save Us,” by Pope Francis,   talking about Crossing the Threshold of Faith,  says ” Crossing the threshold of faith leads us to seek for each individual the same mind as Christ Jesus. (see Phil 2:5), so that each one of us may experience a new way of thinking, of communicating with and looking at each other, of respecting one another, of being together as a family, of planning our futures, of living out our love for each other and our vocation.”

In Christ, all things are new. Our ways of sharing with each other can constantly change to reflect our needs, values, and hopes.  My prayer for us all is that we grow ever better at showing this love for each other, closer together in sharing the challenges and joys of life, our vocations, and our love of God.

Know that Michael and I hold each of you in our prayers. This newsletter is our away of reminding you that we ARE HERE for you!  Please keep us in your prayers, too – it makes all the difference!

Love and prayers,

Christine and Michael