The Highwood United Calligraphers
A Small Group Ministry of High River United Church
Join us from September to June, as calligraphers in the High River and Foothills area gather to hone calligraphic skills in a stimulating, enriching, learning environment.
Writing is a system of human communication that works through the use of visible signs. When one considers the immense power of the human spirit, it is amazing to think that it could not have developed without the alphabet.
Friedrich Neugbauer
A Small Group Ministry of High River United Church
Join us from September to June, as calligraphers in the High River and Foothills area gather to hone calligraphic skills in a stimulating, enriching, learning environment.
Writing is a system of human communication that works through the use of visible signs. When one considers the immense power of the human spirit, it is amazing to think that it could not have developed without the alphabet.
Friedrich Neugbauer
Calligraphers and scribes played a very important role in the history of the church and Christianity. How would we have passed the story of the Bible down the generations without the alphabet? How would we have documented the stories told in the Gospels?
This art form that was once fading, as civilization and technology sped forward, has been experiencing a strong revival over the last few decades in North America. What better place to nurture this historical art form than in the atmosphere that, at one time, depended on scribes to document the stories? The church!
Imagine being a scribe in those days. Sitting at a desk, quill in hand, transcribing stories onto parchment or vellum. The beautiful words dancing across the page behind the quill. In this high-tech age of computers and the need for speed in our daily lives, we are losing the art and beauty of the written word.
Melanie McCracken, also the Administrative Assistant in the church office, began teaching calligraphy classes at High River United Church as an outreach course, as well as a way to generate revenue for the church. The money she raised supported our church’s mission and ministries.
In 2004, several calligraphers formed a calligraphy group with Melanie McCracken as group leader. Melanie has been a member of the Bow Valley Calligraphy Guild in Calgary since its inception in 1981. She taught calligraphy for both the Calgary and Foothills Continuing Education councils for 30 years. Melanie’s calligraphy around our church has created deep interest within our church and the community at large.
OUR GROUP'S GOALS ARE:
1) To connect us with our roots dating back to the first scribes and the scriptures.
2) To encourage us to know calligraphy as the contemplative spiritual form of meditation it once was and still is to this day.
3) To grow spiritually and receive support and care from each other within our Small Group Ministry.
In the Fall of 2005 we chose to name ourselves Highwood United Calligraphers, and functioned as a Small Group Ministry with roots into the community.
• "Highwood" encompasses the region around High River making it inviting to people from surrounding communities.
• "United" honours our connection with, and support from, the High River United Church congregation.
• "Calligraphers" is what we are! Calligraphy is the focus of our group, although you'll often find us incorporating other types of art.
The calligraphers in our group encompass members of the United Church and the Foothills community at large. We also encourage young members to participate in classes and workshops at no charge. This is our way of keeping this wonderful art form alive for many years to come, as these young students will carry the knowledge forward to future generations.
The response to our art-based workshops in the church represents peoples' needs to express themselves creatively. Art is a wonderful therapeutic expression of our souls. We continue to enhance our artistic growth and refine our skills as calligraphers in a spiritual and nurturing environment, with the wonderful support of the congregation of High River United Church. For this, we are very grateful!
This art form that was once fading, as civilization and technology sped forward, has been experiencing a strong revival over the last few decades in North America. What better place to nurture this historical art form than in the atmosphere that, at one time, depended on scribes to document the stories? The church!
Imagine being a scribe in those days. Sitting at a desk, quill in hand, transcribing stories onto parchment or vellum. The beautiful words dancing across the page behind the quill. In this high-tech age of computers and the need for speed in our daily lives, we are losing the art and beauty of the written word.
Melanie McCracken, also the Administrative Assistant in the church office, began teaching calligraphy classes at High River United Church as an outreach course, as well as a way to generate revenue for the church. The money she raised supported our church’s mission and ministries.
In 2004, several calligraphers formed a calligraphy group with Melanie McCracken as group leader. Melanie has been a member of the Bow Valley Calligraphy Guild in Calgary since its inception in 1981. She taught calligraphy for both the Calgary and Foothills Continuing Education councils for 30 years. Melanie’s calligraphy around our church has created deep interest within our church and the community at large.
OUR GROUP'S GOALS ARE:
1) To connect us with our roots dating back to the first scribes and the scriptures.
2) To encourage us to know calligraphy as the contemplative spiritual form of meditation it once was and still is to this day.
3) To grow spiritually and receive support and care from each other within our Small Group Ministry.
In the Fall of 2005 we chose to name ourselves Highwood United Calligraphers, and functioned as a Small Group Ministry with roots into the community.
• "Highwood" encompasses the region around High River making it inviting to people from surrounding communities.
• "United" honours our connection with, and support from, the High River United Church congregation.
• "Calligraphers" is what we are! Calligraphy is the focus of our group, although you'll often find us incorporating other types of art.
The calligraphers in our group encompass members of the United Church and the Foothills community at large. We also encourage young members to participate in classes and workshops at no charge. This is our way of keeping this wonderful art form alive for many years to come, as these young students will carry the knowledge forward to future generations.
The response to our art-based workshops in the church represents peoples' needs to express themselves creatively. Art is a wonderful therapeutic expression of our souls. We continue to enhance our artistic growth and refine our skills as calligraphers in a spiritual and nurturing environment, with the wonderful support of the congregation of High River United Church. For this, we are very grateful!
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