First United Methodist Church at Chicago Temple
www.chicagotemple.org
May 10, 2006
Dear fellow sojourners,
This is to inform you of the preparations for our journey. It is still unclear
how many will join us, but right now it looks like the number is 15, about ten from
our church. Enclosed is the enrollment form for Seminars International (the
travel agency) and if you have not yet sent your deposit to Seminars
International, you need to have that done by May 26th. If you know of others who
might like to join us, please have them contact Cheri Magrini at the church.
The picture above is Brunelleschi’s Dome at St. Maria Fiore in Florence,
shot on Jerry’s last trip there from the gardens above the Pitti Palace. It is just
one of the many sights we will encounter on our trip.
To begin our journey, we are going to offer five sessions preparing us for
the experience of the religious art of Italy. There will be three Saturday sessions,
and two Sunday sessions. The Saturday sessions start at the church and go
elsewhere; the Sunday sessions will be at the church.
We are going to invite the entire congregation to these programs. We will
probably have another session on a weeknight in September to discuss last
minute details of the trip with the company.
We are looking forward to journeying together. Jerry has found much to
strengthen his faith as he has entered the sacred spaces and viewed the artistic
depictions of the church’s artists. Cheri has found that the depths of Scripture
come alive for her through exploring the creative spirit of artists and through her
own creative spirit.
Feel free to call or write either Jerry or Cheri about your ideas or
questions.
Grace and Peace,
Jerry Forshey
Cheri Magrini
Getting Ready for Italy! All are welcome for these excursions.
Meet at the Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington
Sat., June 17, 2006 at 10 a.m.
We will see a video about Romanesque and
Gothic church architecture, then go to Oak
Park to visit Ascension and St. Catherine of
Siena, In Italy, will visit Romanesque churches in
Pisa and Florence, and Gothic churches in
Milan and Rome.
Sat., July 15 at 10 a.m.
We will take a sculpture walk around Chicago,
talking about ways to think about sculpture, the
materials, the content, and the historical
understandings of the time in which they were
made.
Sat., August 12 at 10 a.m.
We will visit the Art Institute and discuss the
form and function of some of their religious works of art.
You will need to purchase an entrance ticket on your own
or bring your own Art Institute membership card.
Sun., September 17 at 12:15 p.m. (Sanctuary)
We will examine the stained glass windows of
our own church, identifying symbols and color
and the way in which they were planned to be
used liturgically. For trip participants: at the
conclusion of this session we will talk about
“housekeeping” details for the trip.
Sun., October 1 at 12:15 p.m. (Pierce Hall room 3)
We will look at a Power Point presentation of
frescoes, particularly Leonardo’s The Last
Supper and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. For trip
participants: at the conclusion of this session we
will have your final questions answered about
“housekeeping” details.
Cheri’s photo from a rooftop in San Gimignano overlooking the walled village. Taken March
2005.
Photo taken by Cheri from a rooftop café in the Piazza de Republica in Florence. March 2005.