Trinity is famous (infamous?) for our creative approach to the faith. One of my favorite projects is our Paschal Candle. Our congregation 
began the practice of decorating the Paschal Candle decades ago, with different populations and events being the source of that creativity. For many years our Candle was decorated by the students of Vacation Bible School. More recently we have had a multi-generational approach. This year marks the first time we invited people outside our congregation to engage in our creative process. Look what we got!
Our Easter Parade event invited children from our community to celebrate Easter with us in a new way. As part of that event, we invited participants to join in two art projects meant to enhance our Sunday worship: our Alleluia signs and the Paschal Candle. We wondered if they would want to partake of such an obviously churchy activity. But participate they did, with great enthusiasm and spectacular results.
Why? Most of these people did not come to church Sunday to see their handiwork, yet they wanted to be part of the creativity. What does this say about the Spirit’s presence outside the church and our mission of outreach and evangelism?
We invited our neighbors to leave their mark on our holy symbol, and they did. What might that say about their hopes and interests and how Trinity might respond?
Obviously, creativity is fun. Children are naturally creative, at least until self-doubt and expectations creep in. Non-critical acceptance is key in any participatory art project. There’s theological truth to be seen here as well. Made in God’s image, we embody creativity because God’s nature is to create–that’s what gets everything started, “In the beginning”! As followers of Christ we know that the Spirit inspires us to be co-creators of God’s Kingdom–that community
Jesus proclaims and institutes. Could it be that our creative neighbors are responding to this same Spirit?
I know, it’s only a candle.
Still, that Candle represents bigger things, and by decorating it, our neighbors expressed a desire to be part of that bigger something. Bigger purposes, contributing to a wider community–these are the things that a church offers, even beyond the Good News that is our mission. We invited our neighbors to leave their mark on our holy symbol, and they did. What might that say about their hopes and interests and how Trinity might respond?
You might wonder what they put on the candle. While we had suggestions and pictures, our participants also had ideas. Words–
Peace, Joy, Love–represent Easter hopes. There are many butterflies, crosses and fish–all in spectacular colors. There’s a bright blue robot–not sure what he represents. Together all of it speaks a message of joy and delight in life. Isn’t that what Easter is all about?
We know that participation in church life is decreasing. Too often the church offers, or is portrayed as offering, a stifling message of conformity and backwardness. We know differently. Our world needs more, not less, of a sense of holiness, of something greater than ourselves, and of a way to be something more. Our faith gives just that, and we need new ways to share that lifegiving truth. Maybe our Candle can be a beginning for us, pointing to that new way.