Dear Friends,
On a beautiful October day several years ago, I was standing in Jerusalem near the Dome of the Rock. I was listening to a discussion of the religious tensions and restrictions between the followers of Islam and the followers of the Jewish tradition.
As I listened, two long lines of young children walked by. One group was Islamic on its way to the mosque and the other was Jewish on course to visit the Western Wall. These children were engaged in the somewhat distracted field trip line behavior that you can observe at any museum here in Denver. The children were intently looking at the sights around them and talking excitedly to their classmates while also repeatedly bumping into the person in front of them for lack of attention to that location detail. These were the lines that bring smiles to grown-up faces. These children were open, curious and innocent as they joyfully lived these moments. The two lines seemed identical in so many ways and I could imagine that if they came close the two groups could easily meld into one exuberant line of adorable children having a day in Jerusalem. This might happen except for the deep, unfriendly divisions that adults had placed between them. Divisions that separate such lines for reasons the children will someday try to understand.
This experience was the inspiration for the current version of the Summer Sacred Art Program that began last year here at Montview Church. The children who attend learn about five world religions - Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism. We look at similarities and differences and celebrate both through the visual arts. This year we will also share music and movement as part of our exploration. Even our snacks follow the religion of the day!
Our mission is to be a clear, hopeful voice for lines of children everywhere joining in respect and appreciation and bringing grown-ups along with them.
We hope that your children can be with us. Please CLICK HERE to register for one of our ten sessions. Peace and hope,
Sandy Prouty
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