Icons
"One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple." Psalm 27.4
Welcome to your tasters for September.
Human beings are “in the image and likeness of God” (Gen 1v27). The Orthodox say that this means we have the raw material in us (God’s image) to grow more like God (into God’s likeness), and that this is our life’s work. “God saw all that he had made and it was very good” (Gen 1 v31). This month we will explore how the symbolism of Ikons can help us to recognise things about God which are new to us, leading us into worship.
So, time to begin.
Experience the power of Icons to communicate truths about God:
As you reflect on the icons in this month's tasters what might they say to you about your own journey of transformation into God’s likeness, as seen in Jesus:
Experience the richness of Icons
Don't forget to book your place on this month's 'Meet the Chefs' session on 25th September, 2025.
This session will be led by Catherine Lomas. Catherine is a priest based in Wiltshire UK. She is exploring ministry as a full-time iconographer and sacred artist.
As well as her own art she teaches and speaks on a range of subjects related to art, spirituality and icons.
Three of Catherine's icons will be exhibited alongside numerous others for the British Association of Iconographers’ exhibition at Westminster Abbey from 18-20 September. Details here:
Exhibition: Icons for Hope and Faith
If you do wish to visit the exhibition entry prices are available here, not that there is a 2 for 1 offer on rail travel for abbey visitors and free entry for clergy: Prices & entry times | Westminster Abbey
Doing - Get stuck in
In this section you can download simple, clear instructions on how to get started:
A simple guide to meditating on Icons
Dr. Sheona Beaumont (b.1979) is an artist and writer whose photographic work explores religious traditions and beliefs. Connected to her family’s work in the Church of England both in the UK and East Africa, her photographs and publications focus on the visual theology of community, landscape, motherhood and the Bible. Over the past few years she has been developing a series of photographic meditations based on the Psalms which you can use as a visual focus for prayer and reflection:
The Bright fields - Sheona Beaumont
Watching - Learning from others
We've asked people to share their experiences of how engaging with art has helped them to connect with God in new ways:
Simon Taylor shares how art has been an important part of his faith journey, sharing an example of how it has sometimes transformed his understanding of God and his call on our every day lives.
Eleanor Jane Lee is a fine artist working in Bristol UK. She works principally with drawing, but also makes installations from lo-tech materials, uses a variety of digital media, writes and enjoys graphic design. She was artist in residence at St Michael and All Angels, Bedminster and recently at St Mary Redcliffe. In this video she shares how Henry Nouwen's book, The Return of the Prodigal, introduced her to Rembrandt's picture of the same name. Inspired to create a version of the painting herself using a special technique called monoprinting she discovered God speaking to her in a deep and reassuring way.
To see more of her work inspired by the painting of William Hogarth visit this link
Read more about Rembrandt's 'The return of the Prodigal son'
Further resources and links
The Christ we Share is a wonderful resource of images of Christ from around the world. Seeing Jesus through the eyes of others allows us to deepen our understanding of our God.