I don’t often single out a specific project to highlight on the blog, but this one is special. First Baptist Church of Indianapolis reached out to me with an unusual request: they had an event where the congregation collectively drafted a poem, about diversity and inclusion within the church community. Could I illustrate the poem that would result in a beautiful, vibrant piece representing who they are as a congregation? Oh yes, such a lovely idea.

Here is the poem:

We are American Baptists, and we come from many backgrounds and traditions: American Baptist, Catholic, Christian Church, Church of God, Disciples of Christ, Episcopalian, Evangelical Free, Lutheran, Methodist, Northern Baptist, Pentecostal, Pilgrim Holiness, Presbyterian, Quaker, Rwandan Protestant, Southern Baptist

We are Hoosiers, and we are from: Alabama, Burma, Chicago, Congo, Cornfields, East Coast, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Philadelphia, North Carolina, Rwanda, Rural South, Texas, Thailand, Virginia, West Virginia

Within Indiana: Acton, Mexico, Logansport, Inner City Indianapolis, Haughville, Garfield Park, Irvington, Nora, Anderson, Cicero, Hobart (Land of the Brickies), Ashland,

We are human, and we are: Multi-generational, Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, Male, Female, Queer, Gay, Straight, Bisexual, Pansexual, Progressive, Conservative, Diverse

We are using our gifts as: Analyzers, Architects , Artists, Athletes, Authors, Caregivers, Chaplains, Counselors, Dancers, Educators, Entrepreneurs, Foodies, Friends, Gardeners, Good Listeners, Helpers, Historians, Homemakers, Interns, Journalists, Leaders, Ministers, Musicians , Pastors , Planners, Preachers, Quilters, Scientists , Servants, Teachers , Thinkers, Volunteers, Writers

We are people of faith: constant learners, doubters, dreamers, explorers, justice-seekers, new thinkers, opportunists, questioners, pathfinders, readers, rememberers, searchers, seekers , strugglers, thinkers, wanderers, wonderers, Still Learning, Ongoing, Trusting, Inward Journey, Slow starting, Grace, embracing change, Hope-ers, Sharing, innovative, to love, twists and turns, questioning, openness, non-judgmental, work in progress, redemptive, a beautiful catastrophe, despair and grace, traditional, favored, “All Things are possible with God”

We are God’s beloved children and we welcome all to join us as we discover together who we have been, who we are, and who we might become.

I sketched my concept:

• A tree as the main metaphor
• Roots below with embracing hands holding a banner with the final words/conclusion of the poem – which coincided with their worship series on being rooted, and their 200th anniversary focused on rootedness
• At the top is the first line from the poem leading down to the tree
• The words from the poem would fill up the tree and the trunk
• 5 circles for each of the five sections of the poem