A Sabbatical for Joel Limpic

Joel Limpic, our Pastor of Liturgy and Arts since 2013, will be starting a three-month sabbatical next week. We’re glad for him to have this opportunity to pause and spend time with his family.

Sabbaticals provide a time to slow down, reconnect with Jesus, and focus on areas of healing, growth, and family life. We’re delighted to offer Sabbaticals to all full-time staff every seven years. This will be Joel’s second sabbatical.

It’s hard to communicate how thankful we are for the ways Joel has cared for and served our community. Please join us in prayer for Joel, Morgan, Tally, Alex, and Eleanor that this season will be restful and meaningful for them. We’ll miss them while they’re away and look forward to welcoming them back!

Lent & Holy Week Artwork

At Park Church, we use visual artwork as an accompaniment to sermon series, church calendar seasons, church holidays, and some events. Besides the simple reality that good art is nice to look at, we also believe that—by engaging a different part of us than words do—artwork helps us learn.

Who is Avo Keerend?

Over the years, we’ve looked to different visual artists inside and outside of our church family to create our artwork. However, this year for Lent and Holy week, we’re looking several decades back in time to the work of an Estonian graphic artist named Avo Keerend. Keerend (1920–2012) was a trained painter and a prolific linoleum-cut artist, but turned towards making geometric-abstract pieces with letterpress and plastic printing (that is, by hand without a computer) near the end of his career in the 1980s. We’ve used five of these later, geometric-abstract pieces for this Lent and Holy Week collection. Learn more about Avo Keerend’s life here (your web browser will have to translate from Estonian!).

okay—Why does this matter?

We sing songs written before our time, enjoy a church building built before our time, and often reference authors who wrote before our time. Things like this remind us that we’re not the first or the last to live. Granted, for many in our community, these art pieces from the 1980s may not be “before your time!” Even still, to look back 40 years and be moved or challenged by an artistic work can teach us something.

Why these particular images?

In general, abstract geometry has always defied the world of art. Why should painting a circle be so hard? How can a mess of lines stir up so much emotion? How can complex narratives come to mind at the sight of simple shapes?

For a brief answer to these questions, let’s look to a few more-complex art forms. An elaborate oil painting, a hand-woven tapestry, or the sound of a full orchestra are each the work of a thousand soft touches. These types of art can wow us with their wonderful abundance of detail and nuance by giving our senses a lot of “information.” One might say this information comes with a decision to either sort it all out (“What am I seeing? What am I hearing? How is this possible?”), or to simply let it “wash over you” (“What am I feeling?”). How wonderful to choose either!

On the other hand, abstract geometry is wildly different. Compared to an oil painting, a handful of squares or lines pressed onto a canvas (with a just little shading) might take 100,000 less touches. The finished piece gives our senses so much less “information.” To some, this may lead to questions that sounds less like “What am I seeing? What am I feeling?”, and more like “Is this even art?” This is a common and valid opinion! Other viewers may feel significantly moved, even challenged to interpret what they’re seeing.

One Interpretation

As a fan of this artist and this style of artwork, I (JD Raab) wanted to provide one possible “reading” of each panel in this series. But before I begin, it’s important to note that these art pieces from Avo Keerend were not made for the application to which I’ve set them—I have enjoyed interpreting them and applying them as such. This is one of the beautiful strengths of this sort of artwork—it can mean many different things. Let me tell you what I see…

Ash Wednesday

The squares feel as if they move from left to right and create a narrative. Perhaps only one square moves, but we see it pictured in a few “stages” of its journey? The dark square at the beginning (hidden in the fold of the large left triangle) and the dark square at the end (falling out of the larger right triangle) work as bookmarks in a journey: a start and an end. In particular, we may see a movement reminiscent of Genesis 3:19—from dust to dust; a falling like gravity.

Lent

Though the shapes furthest back in this composition are dark (perhaps representing original “dust,” as referenced in the Ash Wednesday piece), there is a lighter foreground, appearing as a sort of sash over the purple rectangle (Lent is traditionally represented with the color purple). Taken altogether, this purple rectangle can illustrate the tension we feel in this season: mortality and sin is right behind us, but in Christ we are truly wrapped in His righteousness and life. Furthermore, in the image, the black shape is separated from the purple rectangle by this white sash—just as we are ultimately separated from our sin and death. The question of “how is any of that possible?” is appropriately felt!

Palm Sunday

Bright yellow shouts of happiness are present, but as in the previous piece for Lent, dark shapes are furthest back in our image. The irony of Palm Sunday is clear—those who know the whole story can rejoice with a “Hosanna!” while knowing that “Crucify Him!” can come from the same place. We say with David “Unite my heart to fear Your name!” (Psalm 86:11). This art piece also shows a white shape entwined above, between, and below the other shapes. As in our piece for Lent, I see this white “path” representing the presence and foreknowledge of Christ in all of the happenings of Holy Week (and how it plays out in our hearts today).

GOOD FRIDAY

As we get to this piece, all instances of light and warmth are gone. The black present in the other pieces is now the entire background. The white shape and/or path from the previous pieces has turned purple, and is wrapped in red and black serpentine forms. The white turned purple illustrates the royalty of Christ in His death (his upside-down throne). The red and back illustrate the hatred, the sin, and curses that fell on Him in this moment. It’s an entangling, suffocating mess, but the shape representing Jesus is shown as larger as the other shapes, extending well past them and even turning to “see” them. His sovereignty is unaffected.

EASTER

As you view this piece, I challenge you to picture it as “zoomed out” in comparison to the other pieces. Imagine that its scope has to be much larger! Shapes of yellow and black that previously seemed central are now laying small against a massive, layered backdrop that’s bright with the shades of a dawn sky. The white from earlier pieces now wraps around the sky and amongst the shapes on the ground, even supporting the yellow and black shapes. It’s as if the whole “stage” is now visible, and the end is clear.

Partner Highlight: Denver Rescue Mission

Denver Rescue Mission is committed to helping those experiencing homelessness and addiction in the Denver Metro Area and providing opportunities for change and rehabilitation. DRM serves our city by providing emergency housing services, rehabilitation, housing transition, and continued community outreach.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to love our neighbor through the joys of life and through its pains. We are called to be there in times of righteousness and in times of injustice. As the winter marches on, the needs of those experiencing homelessness become acute. If you or your Gospel Community haven’t considered volunteering with Denver Rescue Mission, now could be a meaningful time to do so.

Who is Served?

Denver Rescue Mission serves those experiencing homelessness and addiction in our city.

Why Is This Work Important

Approximately 9977 people experience homelessness in Denver. 71% of these individuals rely on organizations like Denver Rescue Mission for temporary places to stay safe amidst nights and the weather. (Source: Metro Denver Homeless Initiative). Learn more about the realities of Homelessness in Denver here.

How Can You Serve?

While there are many ways to serve, here are a couple of good starting places for individuals and groups:

How Can You Give?

To give to the mission, visit Denver Rescue Mission’s giving page.

Missions Partner Highlight: CrossPurpose

This spring, we want to focus on reflecting the love of Jesus by reaching out to others with compassion, unifying grace, and sacrificial action. Below, you can learn more about one opportunity we would love to invite you to begin thinking and praying about.

Cross Purpose

CrossPurpose is a non-profit organization that seeks to abolish relational, economic, and spiritual poverty through tuition-free career training and community development. An important element of their work is the cultivation of “Ally” relationships. This Spring Semester, we invite you, your family, or your Gospel Community to join CrossPurpose and their mission by becoming an ally.

What is a CrossPurpose Ally?

An Ally is a volunteer who walks alongside the CrossPurpose community and career development program participants (called “Leaders”) to encourage and build friendships.

On Wednesday nights from 6–8pm, we come together for “Family Gatherings.” Three to four allies share a meal with 10–15 Leaders, play a game or two, and check in on how things are progressing in our Leaders’ lives and careers. Allies help provide Leaders with social capital and community outside their normal circles.

Learn more about becoming an Ally

Holiday Missions Partner Highlight: Hope House Colorado

As followers of Jesus, we are called to love our neighbor through the joys of life and through its pains. We are called to be there in times of righteousness and in times of injustice. During this holiday season, we’re inviting our community to engage with and care for our neighbors by actively participating anew with one of our Mission Partners. We will share about several of these partners in our weekly email over the upcoming month, including specific ways to serve.

Hope House Colorado

Mission and Action:

Hope House provides free self-sufficiency programs to parenting teen moms.

Who is Served?

Denver-area teen moms in need.

Why Is This Work Important

The Empower Program provides opportunities for teen moms to achieve personal, educational, and economic self-sufficiency. The Housing Support Program provides metro-Denver’s only residential program for teen moms, as well as additional housing support through various partnerships. The Early Learning & School Age Program focuses on literacy and social-emotional development for children while providing early intervention services, school-age support, and a parenting program for teen moms. All programs are designed to transform the lives of two generations at Hope House.

How Can You Give?

To give to the mission, visit Hope House’s giving page.

Holiday Missions Partner Highlight: Save Our Youth

As followers of Jesus, we are called to love our neighbor through the joys of life and through its pains. We are called to be there in times of righteousness and in times of injustice. During this holiday season, we’re inviting our community to engage with and care for our neighbors by actively participating anew with one of our Mission Partners. We will share about several of these partners in our weekly email over the upcoming month, including specific ways to serve.

Save Our Youth

Mission and Action:

Save our Youth provides one-to-one mentorship as a pathway to help young people overcome adverse experiences and learn to embrace hope: the belief that they can have something better than they have now and that they have a role to play in making it better. Save Our Youth is currently celebrating 30 years of connecting youth to hope!

Who is Served?

Save Our Youth most commonly serves young people ages 10–7.

Why Is This Work Important

Frederick Douglass once said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” When young people are led and encouraged to pursue their dreams, there is a higher probability that they will achieve those dreams, no matter what background they first came from.

How Can You Give?

To give to the mission, visit Save Our Youth’s giving page.

Holiday Missions Partner Highlight: Denver Rescue Mission

As followers of Jesus, we are called to love our neighbor through the joys of life and through its pains. We are called to be there in times of righteousness and in times of injustice. During this holiday season, we’re inviting our community to engage with and care for our neighbors by actively participating anew with one of our Mission Partners. We will share about several of these partners in our weekly email over the upcoming month, including specific ways to serve.

Denver Rescue Mission

Mission and Action:

Denver Rescue Mission is committed to helping those experiencing homelessness and addiction in the Denver Metro Area and providing opportunities for change and rehabilitation. DRM serves our city by providing emergency housing services, rehabilitation, housing transition, and continued community outreach.

Who is Served?

Denver Rescue Mission serves those experiencing homelessness and addiction in our city.

Why Is This Work Important

Approximately 9977 people experience homelessness in Denver. 71% of these individuals rely on organizations like Denver Rescue Mission for temporary places to stay safe amidst nights and the weather. (Source: Metro Denver Homeless Initiative). Learn more about the realities of Homelessness in Denver here.

How Can You Serve?

While there are many ways to serve, here are a couple of good starting places for individuals and groups:

How Can You Give?

To give to the mission, visit Denver Rescue Mission’s giving page.

A Word From Author Jonathan Holmes on This Year’s Men’s Retreat

A quick invitation from the speaker for this year’s Men’s Retreat, author Jonathan Holmes…
Our annual Men’s Retreat is a core time for growth, laughs, and dedicated time as a community. Over the years, we’ve seen embarrassing wiffle ball errors, outstanding mountain cycling, decent fly-fishing results, and a confusing amount of spikeball. But more than that, we’ve seen new friendships sprout, old friendship refreshed, and community deepen. This year is all about friendship (though spikeball will still be available).

 

Men’s Retreat 2024: Forming Friendship

Friday–Sunday, August 9–11 • YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, CO • $200 (Scholarships Available)

Learn More & Register

Psalm 142—Artwork

Learn more about Christ in the Psalms weekly artwork and see previous pieces here.


View A.R. Accompaniment

Person: Myra Ferguson

As a digital media subject matter expert, I wrote “How to Cheat in Adobe Animate CC: The Art of Design and Animation” and have authored video courses for Photoshop and Illustrator. I also teach part time at the University of Colorado Boulder, provide video tutorials and articles to help InDesign users convert their layouts to interactive HTML5 content, and do projects in conjunction with Adobe and LinkedIn. My portfolio is available at myraferguson.myportfolio.com.

Piece: Photoshop Composition with Animated A.R. Experience

This piece focuses on the first part of Psalm 142:3, “When my spirit grows faint within me.” The darkened silhouette of the woman contrasts with light of the spirit. The image alone didn’t fully capture the sentiment, so I animated it. The animated version shows the light shrinking, fading, and flickering in a continuous loop. In addition to the animation, the augmented reality (AR) aspect includes the animation placed on a cube in order to represent the block of time where that feeling was experienced.

This piece began as an exercise for Project 101010, for which I created an animated GIF. I revised that result to create this version.

For the image, I started with an Adobe Stock image of a woman sitting at a desk with a laptop. In Photoshop, I desaturated the image, selected the subject, added a layer mask, and darkened her to create the silhouette effect. I inverted and modified the selection to darken the rest of the image around her. I added a lens flare that I modified to represent the spirit.

Then I created the animation by taking the layered Photoshop document into After Effects where I added a flicker effect to the modified lens flare and animated the scale and transparency of it. I exported a PNG sequence of the animation to use in the A.R. part.

I imported the PNG sequence in Adobe Aero and added the behavior to make the animation automatically play and loop. In Substance 3D Stager, I made a cube and added a material that I modified to go with the look of animation. I imported the cube into Adobe Aero and published the A.R. experience which generated the QR code.

Then, I added the QR code and instructions for accessing the A.R. experience to the image in Photoshop.