Jonathan Kirkendall on mon 27 aug 07
Hi folks,
I received a very unusual request from a big church here in downtown DC.
I think the request has potential, but I'd like to know what you think.
This is a bit long, but I wanted to include their request as they
presented it:
> I am writing from Foundry United Methodist Church in downtown
> Washington, DC, (just blocks from Dupont Circle).
>
> Foundry and its senior minister, Rev. Dean Snyder, will be conducting
> a worship series this coming September and early October, titled "In
> the Potter's Hands." This worship series will explore biblical ideas
> of how God shapes us . . . much as a potter shapes the clay into a vessel.
>
> Because of the theme, we are seeking a potter to work on vessels
> during our services on Sunday mornings in September and early October
> (we have two services each Sunday, one at 9:30 am and one at 11:00
> am), in which, among other items, we would want the potter to create
> communion plates and cups that can be used for the final series
> service on October 7^th .
>
> We are looking for someone of experience, who is comfortable working
> in front of an audience (ranging in size from about 150 to upwards of
> 400 at a time) where they are not necessarily the focus, but,
> nonetheless, always present and always creating.
>
I responded with some questions about payment and space, and this was
the response:
> Thank you for responding to my message about Foundry's upcoming worship
> series, "In the Potter's Hand."
>
> We understand that this may be an unusual type of request and welcome
> your clarifying questions, which have helped us to understand more
> clearly what we are looking for.
>
> As part of this worship series, we would like to commission the making
> of eight sets of communion cups and plates (seven of the sets would be
> for the actual serving of communion, and the remaining set will be the
> ceremonial set to be used at the altar).
>
> We will be preparing a specific place in the Chancel, viewable from the
> entire congregation, where the potter and a wheel can be set up. So the
> work would be done from the same place throughout the 5 or 6 weeks of
> the worship series.
>
> We are also setting up space in the vestry, which is just steps away
> from the potter's area, for the work to air dry.
>
> As for paying expenses, I frankly don't know the answer to that question
> yet. We are exploring ways to make this venture of benefit to the
> potter, and are willing to discuss what that might require.
I'm thinking about this in terms of marketing: Foundry Methodist is a
bit of a "power church." It's the church of senators and congress men
and women, it is a large, wealthy, downtown, liberal congregation. It
would really be something to be there Sunday after Sunday, which
congregants getting to know me, with my contact info in the church
bulletin week after week.
Here's some of my thinking:
1) They want me to throw 7 communion sets (7 chalices, 7 plates), and
they will buy those.
2) They want me to be there throwing several Sundays in a row. On top of
buying the communion sets from me, they'll need to compensate me for my
time.
3) I will clearly be able to throw more than just 7 communion sets
several Sundays in a row: I was thinking that I would ask them for the
opportunity to do a sale closer to the holidays after a church service.
4) I cannot commit to every Sunday - I already have plans for one or two
of those weekends. That will have to be ok with them.
Has anyone ever done anything like this? It almost feels akin to a
performance art piece! I find it slightly bizarre - and that's why it's
caught my imagination, I think. I almost turned it down, but they've
been very interested in pursuing this with me, so I'd appreciate
whatever ideas you might have.
Let me know....
Jonathan in DC
Cindy Gatto on tue 28 aug 07
I think it sounds like fun. I guess apart from the obvious "dog and pony"
show I think it would be interesting to see if the congregation watches the
priest or if they have more interest in watching you. The sale is a good idea
also, if they are willing to compensate you for what you want go for it.
Cindy Gatto & Mark Petrin
The Mudpit
228 Manhattan Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11206
718-218-9424
_www.mudpitnyc.com_ (http://www.mudpitnyc.com/)
mudpitnyc@aol.com
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claystevslat on wed 29 aug 07
Jonathan -- Foundry's the one at 16th and P, right?
You should take the opportunity to work with them
-- first, if you're there during services,
they have one of the finest organs in the D.C. area,
and have had several very good organists there. It's
a treat to hear it played well. (I believe it's a
Casavant.)
Second, it's a really open church. They dealt with
the race issue a LONG time ago (it was Lincoln's
church), they've been GLBT friendly for decades,
and were one of the first major churches in D.C. to
come out* with a statement to that effect.
Third, they do have a membership that's heavy in
people who appreciate hand-made things and willing
to spend for it. They've had Central American
ministries for quite some time, and that keeps
people thinking in those terms.
Last, a paten and chalice combination is traditionally
precious, even when not made of precious materials.
You could ornament and decorate to your heart's content
and still have something they probably would consider
reasonably priced.
Of course if I'm thinking of the wrong Church,
possibly none of this applies ...
Best -- Steve Slatin
*Well, I'm sorry, but a joke's a joke and I'm a crude guy.
--- In clayart@yahoogroups.com, Jonathan Kirkendall wrote:
>
> Hi folks,
>
> I received a very unusual request from a big church here in
downtown DC.
> I think the request has potential, but I'd like to know what you
think.
judylee947 on wed 29 aug 07
Jonathan,
I belong to the Los Altos (CA) United Methodist Church here in the Bay
Area. Our pastor is a potter and once a year does his 'message' while
throwing at a wheel set up in front with cameras on him projecting so
all can see. Each year he has a different message, but relating to
stories in the bible having to do with clay, e.g. the scrolls have
always been kept in clay pots to keep them safe. Although it is not a
mercenary opportunity, it brings the whole "make me, mold me" to bear.
I think it would be interesting for you to do it, and think that you
might create a 'product' that others in the church would want to order.
You could look into participating in the annual Harvest Faire or Rummage
Sale that most churches have to raise funds for their missions. They
usually permit hand crafted products to sell where you only pay for a
table space.
Judy
>
Chris Campbell on wed 29 aug 07
Hi Jonathan -
Beneath all the information lies one
question you need to answer first ...
What do you hope to get from this
experience?
What will make this positive for you?
Good revenue from sales?
Good references for future sales?
or
The experience of being in such a
unique situation?
The fun of being a curiosity ...
since everyone will have their eyes
on you ... ?
You may get sales or you might get
people hot footing it to the parking
lot ... either way you have to be
satisfied that your time was well spent.
Chris Campbell - in North Carolina -
p.s. no showing off during the sermon!
Chris Campbell Pottery LLC
9417 Koupela Drive
Raleigh NC 27615-2233
Designs in Colored Porcelain
1-800-652-1008
Fax : 919-676-2062
website: www.ccpottery.com
wholesale : www.wholesalecrafts.com
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