Altered books, meet Christmas carols! Learn and share stories around favorite carols of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. What moved composers to write those carols? Which ones are dear to you, and why? What have they taught us about the incarnation?

After viewing some ancient and not-so-ancient illuminated manuscripts, we will use color and mixed media to “illuminate” the Christmas section of an old hymnal or song book (or a printout of a song if you prefer). Start creating a musical and artistic keepsake that you can continue to illuminate throughout the liturgical year.

Gather these supplies:(*=necessary)

*An old hymnal. (or printout of a carol) Bonus if it is one from your formative years . I have extras of the 1990 Presbyterian Hymnal, the 1955 Presbyterian Hymnbook, and Primary (children's) Hymnal.

*Color pencils or markers or possibly watercolors, whatever you’re most comfortable using

Optional:

Christmas pictures of you and your loved ones

A few small images for collage from magazines or old Christmas cardsSome patterned paper you like, or Christmas wrapping paperRibbon or trim

Scissors and glue stick

This three-hour workshop is a prototype for the morning session of a full day workshop the following week with the Grunewald Guild. Learn more about the Guild and its workshops at www.grunewaldguild.com

Rev. Cynthia O'Brien, pastor of the Presbyterian churches of Aurora and Woodburn, Oregon, is a graduate of the USC School of Music and an amateur calligrapher who spends as much time as possible among artists and musicians. She loves to re-imagine church music and never tires of coloring in her hymnal.

There is no charge for the workshop. Those who would like to make a contribution will be invited to make a donation of any amount towards the visual arts at First Presbyterian Church of Woodburn, using this page:  http://www.firstpreswoodburn.org/give/ 

You will receive an email on Friday, Nov 27 with a Zoom link.