Digital download for one-time use in your ministry context.

“New in Christ” is inspired by 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

• This image was created as part of a bundle of Lenten Year C resources from A Sanctified Art. More resources can be found here: Sanctified Art Lent Year C Resources.

How does one image the transformation we experience in Christ? I began with this verse: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Cor. 5:17, NRSV)

When I closed my eyes and repeated this verse over and over again, I began to see the silhouette of a person filled with the echoes of the first creation narrative in Genesis. This came at no surprise to me, considering I like to think of the first creation narrative in a radial fashion, with the imagery of each day starting from the center and building in rings upon the next. Within this person experiencing new life in Christ is imagery of the delineation of light and darkness, water and sky, water and earth. They contain seeds yielding vegetation, the light of the sun and the moon, the feathers of winged creatures, the patterned wings of butterflies, and the closed buds of Sabbath. From there the creation narrative begins again, continuing to ripple and move toward the edges of the figure. 

At the center of the creation narrative is a fire poppy, which symbolizes new life, for it grows and thrives in the ash following the destruction of wildfire. A butterfly is poised on the flower, also representing new life, for it transforms from a caterpillar into an intricately-designed, delicately-winged creature. The poppy grows from the wound of the golden figure who is meant to personify the transformative love of Christ. The figures, one experiencing new life, and the other sharing the love of Christ, embrace and dance, offering a new picture of what the ministry of reconciliation might look like. 

Examples of Acceptable Uses:

• On printed or projected resources used in worship services, educational events, and ministry programs (i.e. bulletins, Sunday School publications, Powerpoint presentations)

• In print and digital communications for your ministry (i.e. newsletters, emails, weekly updates, etc.)

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• Files for print and web use

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