Visual art, drama, dance, pottery, dynamic liturgy and stimulating audio-visual presentations were all part of this year's Spirituality Summer School at Morpeth in January. Led by the Revd.Dr.Jonathan Inkpin, supported by an ecumenical team of creative artists, this sought to explore ways into cultivating peace in our own lives and wider world. Drawing upon the national and global resources of the churches' Decade to Overcome Violence, the aim was to open up hearts, bodies and imaginations, as well as minds, to that peace of God which passes all understanding and which reconciles every aspect of our world.
The four main themes of the Decade to Overcome Violence in Australia (compassion, truth, community and justice) formed the framework for the summer school, with presentations, theological reflections and bible studies in the mornings, followed by a choice of creative workshops in the afternoons, and three special evening sessions on key aspects of peacemaking today. Four key symbols related to the four main DOV themes also acted as a focus for each day: the symbol of the heart and nurturing Compassion; the symbol of the sunflower and the Truth of God's transfiguring word; the symbol of the (concentric) circle and the cultivating of harmonious, inclusive Community; and the symbol of (sharing) hands and the doing of Justice.
 
Highly enjoyable workshops were led by Pene Brook (painting), Penny Jones (storytelling, drama and dance), Judith Keller (circle dance and the labyrinth), Rhonda Osborn (pottery), Barbara Pengelly (creating our own peace projects) and Trish Watts (singing and meditation), whilst Rod Bower shared some imaginative multi-media reflections and the amazing Kerry Bower ensured that all ran smoothly. Other highlights included Trish Watts' evening meditative liturgy; the creation by the whole group of a powerfully moving summer mandala; and an illuminating evening seminar, chaired by Bishop Roger Herft, with Muslim, Buddhist, Baha'i and Quaker speakers, sharing their own faith traditions insights into peace.
 
The summer school had a wonderful ecumenical feel to it, with an excellent balance of Catholics and Uniting Church members as well as Anglicans, whilst the fifty participants came from as far as afield as Bridgetown in Western Australia and far north Queensland as well as closer to home in the Hunter Valley. The deep ripples of peace experienced in the summer school will thus continue to be felt throughout the country and across our churches in the days ahead.
more pictures to follow...
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