MaryAnn Unger- Southern Region

MaryAnn Unger

I began using visual prayer 

after attending a workshop led

by Connie Denninger 
a couple of years ago.

I wanted to include this prayer practice

in my classroom.

 In the beginning I just tried
to implement the praying/journaling in color - 

but found this to be too difficult 

for some of my students-
6th-8th grade.

I then tried it with just focusing 

on Advent and Lent.
I tie it in with our devotion 
and prayer time.

For Lent 2016, I downloaded calendars 

from the Praying in Color website.

prayingincolor-lenten-calendar-templates-2016

(There are new, updated calendars
 for each Advent and Lent.)

Our church- Resurrection Lutheran
in Cary, NC.

was using the Parables of Lent series
by Rev. Dr. Dean Nadasdy.
the-parables-of-lent 

It was a great fit 

to use the word of the day

as the starting point. 

 We then brainstorm other words or images 

that came to mind from the devotion.

 There were multiple calendar choices 

for the LENT 2016 season.

Another site for the online templates 

are the FILES section in the 

DC METRO Bible Journaling FB page.
DC METRO Bible Journaling

 This process has been used 

with the 6th-8th Grade classes in our school.

The samples here are from 6th graders 

and this is the first year 
for them to use this practice.

 One of the students not only used 

the visual connections

 but wrote out some 

thoughtful insights for herself.

See below:

Thank you to MaryAnn Unger 

for sharing the work of her students. 

She is part of the elementary school faculty

at Resurrection Lutheran School, Cary, NC.

 She serves this community as the Religion teacher. 

Her dedication to meet students right where they are

 and bring new prayer tools to the curriculum-

enriches everyone.

Emily Neuschafer- Southern Region

In my life I feel the Holy Spirit moving me 

in many different ways.  

I know that God is setting up all the steps

 to take me where I need to go.  

Through work, family, friends, school, 

and even my art work.  

God brings great Joy to my life 

in all of these things.

A couple of years ago I was able to attend 

the National Youth Gathering in San Antonio, Texas. 

For a week I, along with thousands of other youth,

 sang, worshiped, and participated

 in community service projects.  

To say the least the trip 

was very moving and inspiring. 

One of the more inspiring moments

 for me was being able to see Mike Lewis, 

an artist who expresses his talent

 through speed paintings. 

Pastor Bill Beyer and Emily
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Clayton, NC 

Watching his brush meticulously move across 

the stretched canvas to make a master piece

 in a matter of minutes was truly incredible.  

At the time I never thought I would be the one 

in front of that canvas. 

God obviously had a different plan for me.

Since the National Youth Gathering 

and watching Mike Lewis for the first time,

 I have grown in my talent and have shared

 my own speed paintings with my school, 

community, and church home.  

I can only imagine the full impact it has on others.  

When I hear in the crowd whisper as I paint,

 and then after I am finished have them thank me

 for sharing my God given talent

 I feel blessed to have been able to do so.

Emily Neuschafer is 17 years old and a Senior 

at Cleveland High School in Clayton NC.  

She has been a member
of Holy Cross Lutheran Church for 12 years. 

 At the age of 9 she started to show signs
of being able to draw and paint.  

Emily started taking art classes from a local studio. 

 Right away everyone could tell she had a natural talent for art.  

Emily's final confirmation paper 

was based on Ephesians 2:10 

 “For we are Gods workmanship created in Christ Jesus

 to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do”. 

 She wrote about her finding her talent in art 

and hoping to be able to share this talent with others.  

October 2014 Emily did her first live speed painting 
at the High School Talent Show.  

The next week the year book interviewed her 

about what she had done and she told them

 she was inspired by Mike Lewis, the Jesus Painter.  

After the interview the class pulled up his video on YouTube 

and watched Mike do a painting of Jesus. 

 Since then Emily has done speed painting for Holy Cross, 

the Open Arms preschool, and her High School.  

September 2016 Emily will attend SCAD

 (Savannah College of Art and Design) 

and plans to major in Animation and Illustration.
We give thanks for the way she celebrates her gift in the 
work of the Kingdom.

Her Facebook page is here-Ems Gems And Art work
Check it out for a video 
of her doing the painting featured here.

Here is a link to see more about
jesus painter 

Michelle Barden- Southern Region

Michelle Barden- Southern Region

1) What gives you joy right now? 

            A few things give me Joy. First being able to share my faith in Jesus Christ with others, especially during this time of persecution of Christians happening in the Middle East.  Then, being able to go forward with the passing of health insurance coverage for hearing aids. (Please pray for this) Last but not least is being able to sign in my church.  

2) What do you see the Holy Spirit doing in your life right now? 

           I believe the Holy Spirit is doing two things for me right now.  I am seriously considering becoming a Deaconess of the church for a the deaf community. I also believe the Holy Spirit is leading me to have a bill pass for Health Insurance coverage for hearing aids.  (If you would like more information or would like to help pass this bill, please contact me at michellelbarden@gmail.com)

3) What words of encouragement do you have for fellow faith travelers? 

           I believe all Christians should spend time each day in God's Word and prayer, especially when we do not feel like it. In addition to this, I believe we all will go through a season of dough or suffering. My words would be to you to "keep going". There is a light at the end of tunnel as I have experience this recently.

Michelle Barden attends Risen Christ Lutheran Church 

in Myrtle Beach, SC. She humbly services in the sound booth, 

with VBS, signs for her church as on a need bases. 

She also serves her neighbors at Lowe's Home Improvement, 

and by being a Blood Drive coordinator for Risen Christ Lutheran Church.  

Women's Retreat-#3- The Joy of the Lord is my Strength

 Messiah Lutheran - Charlotte, NC

 Women's Retreat 2016

A Full Weekend Event

March 4-6

The event included

a Thank You to Sue Baldinger 

for her gift of service 

for 40 years in Ministry.

 Meeting new People.

 Learning about Visual Prayer 

and Time to Pray and Color

 Intercessory Prayer 

 and Blessing Others with Visual Prayers

 Retreat Team Leaders Included:

Sherri Twente

 Jenny Long

Charlene Jenkins 

There were sister groups, and

Grandmother- Daughter- Granddaughter.

Singing and time to Praise

 Paula Weiss was a great helper 

in preparing and leading 

the Sunday Worship

 Always great conversation 

around the tables-

 Thanks Table leaders!

Ice Breakers and Get up and Moves-

 Led by Jenny Long

Retreat Leader- Connie Denninger - Left

and a wonderful reunion

 with the Spear- and Long family

a family from our first years

 in ministry in Nebraska

Each table led a piece of the 

Sunday am worship service

For His mercy is Good.

And we are always loved.

If you have photos you might want to include- 

email them to Connie at  condoit@aol.com

Women's Retreat #2- the Joy of the Lord is My Strength

Joy- Nehemiah 8:10

Visual Prayer

Seeing the World as a Prayer Canvas

 Time to create

a Journal for 

Counting Gifts.

One gift per day

To SEE HIS FAITHFULNESS.

Prayers by the Month

One page per month

Collecting the prayer concerns and praises

on One page for the Month

 Personalized Covers

Collage and Words to 

Make it YOUR OWN

Visual Prayers

To Slow Down

Pay Attention 

and Deal with Distractions