ADVENT EXHIBIT – DECEMBER, 2015

ADVENT EXHIBIT – DECEMBER, 2015
First Congregational Church of Rockport – UCC
12 School Street. Rockport, MA.

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-Icons of the Civil Rights Movement-

This inspiring exhibit is both a visual and a written history of the Civil Rights Movement, remembering and honoring the many who sacrificed their lives for freedom and equality. This exhibit features a series of paintings created by Pamela Chatterton-Purdy using handmade paper, oil paints, and found objects. Each of the thirty-five icons is accompanied by a historical description written by the Reverend Doctor David Purdy, her husband. The use of the iconic form represents the sacred nature of the Movement’s nonviolent philosophy. Setting this exhibit for sanctuary display during the Season of Advent invites association between the birth of Baby Jesus and his life showing a way of light, truth, sacrifice, and justice for all the world. This exhibit also stands in the spirit of the national United Church of Christ initiative since 2008, to hold sacred conversations on matters of race – locally, nationally, and globally.

In Eastern Christian tradition, icons are religious paintings on wood panels depicting scenes from the Bible.  They are often set in a golden background or covered with silver. The style is idealized, suggesting the sacred nature of the subject. Icons are venerated for their theological teachings of the church. Chatterton-Purdy was inspired by icons to create a body of work representing people committed to social justice.

Some of the subjects are well known, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Emmett Till, Rosa Parks,

Jonathan Daniels, and Rev. James Reeb.  The exhibit celebrates all of their lives and their common mission. To create the icons, Chatterton-Purdy used wooden objects, pieces of broken frames, hinged doors, broken stained glass, and wooden birds taken from an old carved jewelry box in pieces.  There are yardsticks cut at number 14, the age that Emmett Till’s life was taken. There are pieces of a children’s chess set used to imply the handles of a Torah. Alphabet beads are strung together to spell The Children’s Campaign, Birmingham Alabama, over 1,000 children jailed. Broken metal chains and locks – signs of freedom and release – and verses from Scripture are also used. Each icon was designed to highlight the uniqueness of each person or event.

Pamela Chatterton-Purdy earned a master of fine arts degree from the University of Massachusetts.  Her husband, the Reverend Doctor David Purdy is a retired Methodist minister.

They live in Harwich Port, Massachusetts, on the other Cape!

-OPEN SANCTUARY-
and special events for viewing the exhibit:
Icons of the Civil Rights Movement

Saturday, December 5.  8:00AM – 2:00PM

• Old Sloop Christmas Bazaar. An annual event at which parishioners, townspeople, and visitors gather for fun and fellowship for fun and fellowship for the benefit of the church.

For more information, visit http://rockportucc.org/ChristmasBazaar.htm.
Or call 978-546-3157.

Sunday, December 6. Noon – 3:00PM. Open Sanctuary Exhibit.

Sunday, December 13. 1:00PM – 3:00PM. Special Presentation.

• Special Presentation: Icons of the Civil Rights Movement.
• A light luncheon and presentation by artist Pamela Chatterton-Purdy with her husband, writer Reverend Doctor David Purdy will be offered. The Civil Rights Movement was a turning point in American history. Those who demonstrated for civil rights during the 1950s and 1960s were ordinary people who risked physical harm, imprisonment and death for the sake of equal rights.
• You are invited to view the exhibit and hear from these two artists about this exhibit which they have created!  Call the church office at 978-546-6638 to r.s.v.p.

Saturday, December 19. 5:00PM – 8:00PM. Open Sanctuary Exhibit.

• In the spirit of the holidays, the Rockport Pageant Committee is once again hosting this year’s 70th Annual Christmas Nativity Pageant, in partnership with the Rockport Division of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. The Pageant is a torch-lit live re-enactment of the Nativity, starting at 5PM along Dock Square and Main Street. Along the way, the story of Jesus’ birth is brought to life through alive narration and Christmas hymns sung by a full choir. Enjoy dinner afterward at the First Congregational Church of Rockport – UCC, where the men of the Old Sloop serve their Christmas Pageant Ham & Bean Supper.

Thursday, December 24. 5:00PM – 8:00PM. Open Sanctuary Exhibit.

• Christmas Eve services will be held at the First Congregational Church of Rockport – UCC at 4 & 8PM. Open Sanctuary will be hosted from 5 – 8PM, between the two services, for those who would like to view the Icons of this Civil Rights Movement exhibit.

Sunday, December 27. Noon – 3:00PM. Open Sanctuary Exhibit.

Thursday, December 31. 6:00P – Midnight. Open Sanctuary Exhibit.

• First Night. Celebrating New Year’s Eve with family, friends, and neighbors, with continuous entertainment in Rockport. The Old Sloop Church Sanctuary will be hosting several First Night performances/events, with opportunity to view this exhibit, Icons of the Civil Rights Movement.

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Call the church office at 1-978-546-6638 for more information or to request additional times for group viewing events.