Last Sunday morning I went with my friends, Lovey, Glo and Beth, to the El Pueblito United Methodist church in El Prado, just outside of Taos. It was a special outdoor service as the pastor, Steve Wiard, rode in on horseback and shared his thoughts while seated on his beautiful Palomino, Biscuit.
This is a very welcoming church filled with old fashion acceptance. Here all are welcomed. No judgment. It was refreshing.
The El Pueblito United Methodist Church isn’t necessarily a pretty church from the outside. The building is plain with a very tall turquoise cross at its entrance. The building has had several lives….it was a gas station, bar, cafe and now a church.
This little church by the side of the road has what they call a “shared table”. They serve 500 – 600 hungry men, women and children, every other week.
Steve, the pastor, talked about getting back up on the horse after falling off, never giving up, always trying again and again. This is so true for artists. We go into our studio and sometimes fail in sharing our vision. Our colors are dull, the design doesn’t work, our subject matter is boring….why didn’t we notice that before we decided to paint that still life? The next day we go into our studio again. We are determined to wrestle this painting to the ground and by golly, we are going to win.
This is the determination needed to be a successful artist.
I felt full of peace that Sunday morning. Outside in a field filled with the colors of autumn, sun dancing on the newly cut grass, violin music playing…………pastor on horseback sharing the love of humanity.
The photos in this blog were taken by photographer Lenny Foster http://www.lennyfoster.com
Check out his website for gorgeous photos of “healing hands”