A creative moment of peace
The Bible Journaling workshop, held at the Nurmo Rectory at the end of the month, offers a creative break from everyday life.
There are many ways to approach the Bible; one of these is Bible Journaling, where we analyse the text through images, colours, and creative activities.
Johanna Lahtela, a diaconal worker at the Nurmo Chapel Parish, describes Bible journaling, which has steadily grown in popularity, as a kind of more visual approach to the practice.
“For many people, the words of the Bible come to mind in pictures. In Bible Journaling, these pictures can come to life through drawing, painting or even through collages. The point is not to create beautiful works of art, but to see what the text means to you at that moment, says Lahtela.
There is no pressure
The core of Bible Journaling is personal reflection. Every participant is presented with a passage of the Bible related to the liturgical year and the opportunity to explore it in their own way. A wide range of materials are available, ranging from watercolours to markers and from magazines to stickers.
“Sometimes on the paper shows up a concrete picture, some other times just colours. If one day the passage doesn’t evoke anything in you, you can play with abstract colours, or even just hang around. There is no pressure, and you don’t have to show anything to anyone”, says Lahtela.
The group of people participating in the activity is very diverse. They have ranged from families with children to young people, and also retired people. There is a really low barrier to participating, since there is no need for advance registration.
“Many people say that after the evenings, they leave feeling lighter. Everyday life has so much noise and constant multitasking that stopping for two hours focusing on one thing feels really refreshing”.
Larger spaces
The growing interest in Bible Journaling is also showing in the number of attendees. Nurmon Olotila has become too small to fit everybody, so starting from this fall the meetings will be arranged in the larger spaces of the Nurmo rectory. The first Bible Journaling evening of this fall will be on the 29th of September at 17:30.
Bible Journaling is only one example of the variety of initiatives organised by the Seinäjoki parish. Other activities include craft groups, choirs, exercise classes, discussion groups, and volunteer work, among others.
“People learn and handle matters in many different ways. That is why it is important to offer a wide variety of ways to participate and to find your own place in the society”, says Lahtela.
Bible Journaling group
- Bible Journaling is a journal-like way of exploring biblical passages by drawing, painting, or illustrating them using other techniques
- Meetings at Nurmo Rectory at 17:30 on Tuesdays 29.9, 27.10 and 24.11.
- No registration required
- Evening tea is served
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Vastaava diakoniatyöntekijä
Johanna LahtelaSeinäjoen seurakunta | Nurmon kappeliseurakunta | Diakonia
