PCJH Quarterly Newsletter, Winter 2024 VOL 22

PINNACLE

PresbyterianChurch Churchof of Jackson Jackson Hole QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER I| VOLUME VOLUME NO NO 22 18 Presbyterian Hole~ ~ QUARTERLY WINTER 2023

SEEING GOD IN THE ARTS...

The Awe-some Creativity of God +

OPENING OUR EYES PG.8

+

YOUNG AT ART

PG.14

TO BE A C O M M U N I TY, ROOTED IN CHRIST, REACHING OUT IN LOVE

Table of Contents VOLUME NO 22 I WINTER 2023

PINNACLE ˇ

ˇ

ˇ

ˇ

ˇ

SEEING G OD IN THE ARTS

ˇ

esbyterian Church of Jackson Hole ~ QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER I VOLUME NO 18

We are made in God's image, and so we are naturally inclined to create too! In this Pinnacle issue, we explore the variety of ways we are inspired to create and glorify God through the arts. While art can mean oil on canvas, or beautiful music, God invites us to create in many ways (think cooking, woodworking, or carving a fresh powder line). As you read these articles, I invite you to consider how God has gifted you to see awe, beauty, and wonder around you! “… and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set Exodus 35:31-33 stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts."

~

04

THE AWE-SOME CREATIVITY OF GOD

06 Q & A

INTERVIEW WITH

JUNE NYSTR0M ~ Rev. Tammy Mitchell ~ Rev. Tamara Mitchell

11

A FRISSON OF JOY

~ Joy Steiner

15

I HAVE LOVED

~ Terri Hayden COVER: PAINTING BY JUNE NYSTOM

12

THE ROCKS CRY OUT, SO TO SPEAK

~ Wes Womack

16

THE MUSIC CONTINUES...

~ Jerome Young

2 SEEING GOD IN THE ARTS ~ WINTER 2023

08

OPENING OUR EYES

~ Kathy Robertson

14

YOUNG AT ART

~ Jane Lavino

17

BEING IN A BAND WITH GOD

~ Melissa Elliott

18

GET TO KNOW US

~ C A L E N DA R @ P C J H . O R G / E V E N T S › PLEASE CHECK pcjh.org CALENDAR FOR UPDATES AT TIMES PCJH EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE ‹

DECEMBER 3~ RD

17~ TH

-

-

20~ TH

31~ ST

9AM SUNDAYS, 3RD-24TH

Adult Class—Advent Series: The Purpose of Christmas 10:15AM

PCJH Annual Children's Pageant 6-7PM

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

4~

Middle School Breakfast Club Restarts

4~

Ordination & Installation of Elders and Deacons

14~

TH

7~ TH

9~ TH

Last Community Dinner before Christmas Break

7:27-8:30AM THURSDAYS

TH

11:30 AM PCJH SANCTUARY

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

TH WEDNESDAY 6:30PM

ASH Wednesday Worship

HighSchool Breakfast Club Restarts

9AM SUNDAY

Adult Class Genesis: The Beginning of the Beginning Restarts in Chapel

21~ ST

Encounter Storytelling Night

CHRISTMAS EVE TH

SERVICES

24 TH

5:00 PM CANDLE LIGHT SERVICE @PCJH

IN PERSON & LIVE STREAM

9:30 AM @PCJH

NO 8AM OR 10:15AM WORSHIP

5:00 PM CANDLE LIGHT SERVICE @ JHMR

HOTEL TERRA IN TETON VILLAGE IN PERSON

11:30AM PCJH.ORG

~

PINNACLE

3

A W E . W O N D E R M E N T . C U R I O S I T Y. MYS T E RY.

The Awe-some Creativity of God ~ Rev. Tammy Mitchell

4 SEEING GOD IN THE ARTS ~ WINTER 2023

E

VERY YEAR CL OSE TO THREE MILLION visitors from around the globe visit Yellowstone National Park and The Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. The most sought-after site is naturally the Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone Park. Because so many people come to see Old Faithful, park officials have had to construct specific boundaries, boardwalks, benches and even hotels, to manage the crowds. When this unique phenomenon spouts off in all its glory, the gasps and cheers are visibly heard. Some people clap.

Some tear up. Some go silent. People brave long lines and traffic jams to try and catch a portion of this unique display. Why? What is it about seeing water spew out from the ground that evokes such heartfelt, spontaneous actions? What do they sense in their inmost being that stirs, emerges, or awakens?

Awe. Wonderment.

Curiosity. Mystery. Felt by every human, in every culture, and in every age, it's commonality is anything but common. Like a well-cut diamond with many facets to heighten the brilliance, so the emotion of awe illuminates the complexities of the human being. Awe inspires. Awe motivates.

Awe challenges. Awe creates. Awe unites.

Awe is a natural response to God’s creation. Awe is what we experience when we encounter the creativity of our Creator and the creativity of our Creator’s creation. I am in awe of the creation around us. However, as amazing as Old Faithful is, I am in more awe of the creativity seen in others! And this awe of others inspires me, (hopefully all of us), to live in gratitude to God. The Reformer, John Calvin, begins his monumental work, The Institutes of Christian Religion, with the doctrine of God as Creator. This God is the author and source of all life, and the One who sustains and provides for the entire created order.

God created our world for our good so that we might know God’s power and grace. Calvin believed the beauty of creation was intended for two purposes: to show God’s glory and bring joy to God’s children. It is the place in which we, as humans, were specifically purposed and placed to care for and to

participate in. As the Psalmist says, “All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you.

They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power” (Psalm 145: 10,11).

Calvin may have the reputation as being a cold intellectual, a serious theologian, or a highly pietistic scholar, but he had an immense heart for the beauty around him. In Calvin’s mind, the wonders seen in the natural world, as well as those seen in the persons who were incredibly gifted in the creative arts, demonstrate and contribute to God’s majesty, omnipotence, and glory. The heartbeat of Calvin’s theology is soli Deo gloria - for the glory of God. As historian and scholar Belden Lane writes, “Calvin was smitten by God’s beauty as he was overwhelmed

by God’s power.” Every creature has been created and called to relish in the glory of God. Awe is the natural response to God’s glory seen in the creative work of God. One author specifies awe as, “the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your current understanding of the world.”

Calvin and the Christian world would answer, “there is a name to that ‘presence’.” That name is the Triune God. We are surrounded by people who consistently invoke awe in us. Through music, artistic talent, creative words, or poetry of motion, they provide the feeling of being in the presence of something that is transcendent. Awe is a powerful emotion that can spur us to perhaps change their attitudes, beliefs, values, and thinking. However, the goal of creative arts is never meant to focus on the person, but on God in Jesus Christ.

This Pinnacle is a small attempt to honor the creativity of Christ and to give us another opportunity to help us see God’s glory all around us. As we read our friends' stories, may we enjoy the immense creativity of our Lord God as expressed through them. To God be the glory, great things God has done. ✝

PHOTO: BETH RICCIARDI

"For we are surrounded by people who consistently invoke awe in us.

Through music, artistic talent, creative words, or poetry of motion, they provide the feeling of being in the presence of something that is transcendent.”

REV. TAMARA MITCHELL Serves as PCJH Associate Pastor. She has two married daughters, and a dog named Charlie.

PCJH.ORG

~

PINNACLE

5

Q & A

INTERVIEW WITH JUNE NYSTROM

~ Rev. Tammy Mitchell

JUNE LIVE PAINTING AT PCJH WORSHIP SERVICE

6 SEEING GOD IN THE ARTS ~ WINTER 2023

“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." ~ Isaiah 64:8 TAMMY: Thank you for meeting with me, June.

You taught art to elementary students for 25 years here in Jackson. Please tell me about what it was like teaching art.

JUNE: Teaching art has been the absolute joy in my life. I loved getting kids excited about coming into the room and making something. I would have whatever we were working on set out like placemats at every table. You’d see anything like clay, wire, pipe cleaners or paint and then I'd say, “today you're going to make something so cool.” The kids loved the challenge of creating different forms of art. We did way more than just painting. We would weave with polar fleece or make sculptures with random objects. I had big boxes full of weird stuff like broken toys, caps from jars, toilet paper rolls and things like that.

Then we would turn it into something fun, like a building or a person or a robot. I wanted to put in front of them something to touch and feel. We would do puppets and you could see their eyes light up doing puppet shows. I would have so much fun!

PHOTO: BETH RICCIARDI

TM: I can see the joy you have and the wonderful memories you treasure. Tell me, how did teaching art help you in your faith in God? How did faith and your love for art intersect?

JN: I guess loving children like Jesus loved children. When you see all those little eyes and all the hands making stuff and everybody’s art is coming out differently, it makes you realize how special everybody is. I think that God created such a variety and has made everything be so interesting. I am always learning new things about people and about how to represent the world and how to understand the world. Having a strong faith helped me share with kids the message, "You're going to be OK". We need to be kind and good to each other and help each other.

Faith helped me think more positively. Then the student would have something tangible and special to take home and share with their family. The children would inspire my faith.

I had one fourth grader in my Art Room and we made little JUNE NYSTOM was born and raised in Wisconsin, and moved to Jackson in 1980.

She taught elementary art for 35 years and loved it. She now paints landscapes and occasionally stools and chairs.

wire people. His little wire was reading a book. He had written on one side of the page L,O, and on the other side, V,E. He told me that his person was reading the Bible and it's all about love.

I thought this kid was really special. But I’d see that again and again. Children would just know things and say things that just feed more into your love for God and your appreciation for God.

TM: You have also shared your talent of knitting by making hats for others, and especially for the Big Five Drive we have each year. How did that begin?

JN: Part of art is knowing the order of the colors on the rainbow. So, if they learned the colors, I’d let them have a hat.

Then that practice just grew and I started making hats for all kinds of reasons. The school started using them as part of their reward system and part of the school store.

TM: You also have graced PCJH with your painting for Vacation Bible Adventure and a wall in the courtyard.

JN: I like to show people what I see. For example, look at an aspen tree. There is just such symmetry and beauty. They are all connected in their roots as if they are holding hands. Some of the largest organisms in the world are aspen groves. I just can't help but see the beauty in nature. It is so important for people to slow down and look at what's right in front of us, especially here in Jackson. I also enjoy painting close-ups.

TM: When we look at this beautiful creation, we recognize that it's pointing to something so much more and beyond ourselves that we don't understand.

JN: It is a beautiful mystery that we can appreciate and give thanks to God. I think that can apply to our friends, too. We do not understand everything about them, but we can love and appreciate the mystery of who they are. That is why the Holy Spirit is my favorite person of the Trinity. Because even though we may not understand God, there is purpose behind God’s love. Things have been made so wonderfully and so perfectly. There must be a God. I feel like anything I can do is a gift I've been given.

TM: Thank you, June, for not only sharing your gifts but being a gift to us at PCJH and to our community. ✝

PCJH.ORG

~

PINNACLE

7

WE EXPERIENCE HIS STRENGTH STRONGER IN OUR WEAKNESS

8 SEEING GOD IN THE ARTS ~ WINTER 2023

“The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me." ~ John 12:45

OPENING OUR EYES

~ Kathy Roberston

I

HAVE ALWAYS LOVED PHOT O G R A P H Y. A N D WHEN I W A S A T E E N A G E R and asked for a camera, I got an instamatic, which was not quite what I had in mind. Later I saved up and bought a fully manual film Pentax K 1000, that I loved, but not having money for expensive lenses I purchased some Sears camera lenses and went out to practice. But being born legally blind in my right eye, I never had depth perception. I still had to see to focus, so my images lacked the crispness I wanted. It was not until I was around 50 that the ability to deal with some of my blindness was possible. After 2 years and 4 different eye surgeries I finally had depth perception and a crispness I had never seen! I could see the individual leaves flicker on the tree,. As well as seeing trees, rocks and wildlife come alive in my new 3-D world.

You see, they had always in reality been this way, I just did not have eyes to see them. ›

PCJH.ORG

~

PINNACLE

9

WE EXPERIENCE HIS STRENGTH CONT.

So many verses in the Bible refer to God opening our eyes. This never is to see things that are not there, but to see things that have always been there, that we blindly walk past.

I continued to take classes and capture images, finding the love of photographing people, relationships and lifestyle in the area I have been blessed to grow up in. Matthew 6:20-21 jumped out at me. “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” That was when “Treasures I Seek” was inspired. I have had the great joy of photographing hundreds of weddings, portraits and events with one goal in mind: How can I be and create images that are a blessing to my clients? It did not take me long to become aware that skill and talent only take you so far. I created a habit of praying before every shoot, to be a blessing to the families, remember the technical aspects of the shoot, and to be inspired by God to creatively see light KATHY ROBERSTON grew up in Jackson and married her high school sweetheart Billy.

They raised three boys on the Robertson Ranch—worked hard, enjoyed exploring the backcountry and authentic ranch life.

ABOVE: BURT RAYNES TALKS WITH AN OWL AT RAPTOR CENTER. BEFORE BURT PASSED A FEW YEARS AGO, KATHY WAS ASKED TO TAKE HIS PORTRAIT FOR HIS BOOK. HE HAD A WEEKLY COLUMN IN THE PAPER ABOUT BIRDS. PREVIOUS PAGE: WYOMING WINTER MULE, FOUNTAINS AND SCULPTURES FROM THE HOLY LAND. and how to capture the event. I could do my homework, but because I always photographed on location, so many things were out of my control. I had to trust God completely as there were never any do-overs. I remember I doubted my strength when I had kidney stones and another time 4 broken fingers on my left hand. I prayed and believed in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

We experience His strength stronger in our weakness!

Now I no longer am doing weddings and fewer portraits, but am trusting that God, who knows me and my future better than I do, will guide me in the direction I will take with my photography. Because the “Treasures I Seek” are to be continually inspired to create images that will be a blessing to others and bring Glory to God! ✝

10 S E E I N G G O D I N T H E A R T S ~ W I N T E R 2 0 2 3

A F R I S S O N O N J OY

T

HE LARGE FORMAT BOOK ON THE TABLE IN front of me is heavy, filled with photographs and information about birds around the world. I read about a large bird native to Asia. Though its markings are not flashy, the athletic prowess of the bar-headed goose is unrivaled.

Bar-headed geese have exceptionally large lungs and hearts to process oxygen efficiently into their bloodstream. These geese need it when they make their annual 23,000 foot migration over the Himalaya. Around me, the library walls seem to fade away. In my imagination, I can see the struggle and determination it takes to persevere despite high mountain cold and storms.

23,000 feet! I am gobsmacked by the wonder of it all. Tears prick my eyes and I know: this is God’s handiwork. It is a story that needs to be told. I have found another of God’s miracles.

I am filled with gratitude for our Creator. Psalm 19:1 says “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

I love to find miracles. All around me, I see evidence of God’s workmanship and it gives my heart a little frisson of joy. I also love words, for I had a mother who read to me and took me for weekly library visits to get another armload of books. It is no surprise then, that I feel close to God when I use words to declare the miracles of creation. When I create a story, I feel a sense of purpose and my body hums with energy, as if my actions were pleasing to God. Perhaps we are called to create so we can be close to our creator.

I imagine God wiggling playful eyebrows at me. “Check this out!” I feel a nudge. “What if you told people about THIS little item from my creation?” I investigate further and discover the earth’s largest, most dense organism is a 100 acre wood of aspen trees weighing in at 13 million pounds, a community of individual trees connected by their roots. Another day, I learn that God has flooded the body of the humble wooly bear caterpillar with an ingenious chemical formula that enables it to survive unharmed in even the harshest arctic winter. Next time you see a wooly bear patiently crossing your path, stop and consider. This little critter can eat all summer, and in case it needs to grow a bit more, it can sleep under the snow,

~ Joy Steiner

awaken in spring, and eat again until it is ready to make a cocoon. What’s the secret? The wooly bear is filled with natural antifreeze! Our God is full of surprises!

Sometimes, when I am in a beautiful natural setting, my skin shivers with wonder. Several years ago, while living in Idaho, my husband and I were asked to write an alphabet book about the state. As it happened, the timing was perfect, because I was a freelance storyteller, visiting children in schools and libraries all over the state. I explored points of interest during my travels to gather information for topics in the book. One afternoon, I made my way to a cedar grove in the panhandle of Idaho.

Standing among the lacy leaved giants, hearing the wind sigh in the branches, I felt I was in a cathedral. Yet, how could this forest even be growing here? I thought Idaho was too dry for cedars to flourish. I called the University of Idaho forestry department and chanced upon the cedar grove expert. As best we know, he said, the ancient volcano that formed Crater Lake blew up; the ash storm drifted northeast and settled into

“May the words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, oh Lord." ~ Psalm 19:14 the plains and canyons of northern Idaho. Fog and mist settled into the box canyons and offered a moist microclimate for the deep rich soil. Perhaps a bird dropped a single cedar seed over the canyons. We can only surmise, but no matter. All of the events aligned, and the Devoto and Hobo Cedar Groves are here to astound us. You may call this simply natural history, but I see God’s signature plan of creation.

What inspires you? It is likely that inspiration is a nudge from our Creator to draw close. Feel the wonder. Tell of His glorious work in your creations. Your efforts will please him. ✝ JOY STEINER traveled widely, telling stories to children in schools and libraries. These days, she creates personalized tales as the Granny Nanny for her beloved granddaughter.

PCJH.ORG

~

PINNACLE

111

T H E R O C KS C RY O U T S O T O S P E A K

~ Wes Womack

1

F

OR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” in Ephesians 2; and again in Romans 12, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them …”

Few indeed have been the times in my life when I’ve felt strongly that I was particularly called and placed for God’s purpose in some particular thing. Few, I suppose, but meaningfully, formative. I am thankful for these times, when one gets to see what He is doing and is invited to participate in it, consciously.

More generally—at least in my experience—one seeks to know and serve God following His more general revelation and call on us; we prepare soil such as we can, we serve our community and work to create opportunities to sow into others, and we trust God with the outcomes. These things feel intentionally, explicitly God-honoring. They feel called, if generally.

But I’ve often felt that there’s another kind of call, a more general call to excellence, to living in the fullness of one’s created being, as vessels designed for a purpose. Though the attribution of the saying “whatever you are, be a good one” to Lincoln may be apocryphal, the thought holds true.

WES WOMACK is an engineer by day who enjoys his family, the outdoor life in all its forms, mentoring robotics, and an excess of creative pursuits.

Even skiing a perfect line, flawlessly executed, to me feels more than simply fun, but even good. And if you ski like I do, also rather surprising. Perhaps this is over-spiritualizing a mere aesthetic pleasure, but I do feel like there is something wholesome and true in it. A beautiful design, a well-executed art piece, a perfect execution in sport, the symmetry of a perfect equation, to me all of these feel intrinsically God-glorifying.

Yet we still must take the opportunity to participate in glorifying God; a perfect mountain sunset itself reveals His glory —the rocks cry out, so to speak—but we can so easily enjoy the thing without recognizing it as His creation. We as humans can miss out, can fail to appreciate creation as His handiwork.

For me, a short prayer before a hike, thanking Him for the day, helps me center my perspective and appreciate the subsequent outdoor fun as being not just fun but a gift.

So, when I stumbled upon a perfect and unique matched set of monster shed elk antlers in the middle of the night during the annual shed hunt while surrounded by hordes of fellow searchers, I knew I had to do something worthwhile with such a unique find. I couldn’t just sell them, or hang them on a rack, the antlers themselves demanded a worthy presentation. It took me a few years – and a few false starts – to come up with something both suitably beautiful and within my limited artistic capabilities, and months to complete it; an assemblage of wood and weldment, birch and bone. I was pleased with the result.

I only ever intended to build the one shed antler mount, as a presentation for my wall for that first set of sheds I found.

12 12 SBURSTING E E I N G G OFORTH D I N T INTO H E A RSONGS T S ~ OF WIN JOY TER ~ 2 0 2 3W I N T E R 2 0 2 3

3

5

2

4 BIRCH & BONE—PROCESS, FROM LEFT; 1) WES'S ORIGINAL ANTLER SET ON A FINISHED PIECE 2) A FINISHING STEP 3) MOLDING & CASTING PREP 4) ASSEMBLY 5) STAINING 6) DETAILING 7) FITTING THE ANTLERS. But when I was done, to my surprise, it came out so well that I began to feel like the work itself called for me to make more. It has felt like the variations on the original theme that I see in my mind were calling out to be created, a kind of beauty needing to be brought into being, to be shared. I began to feel that somehow I would be doing a disservice if I didn’t create them, although I could not articulate to what or for whom.

So, in the last couple of years, I’ve been following that thread to see where it would take me. It has been fun working with more Birch and Bone, creating something beautiful. I have enjoyed working with elk antlers in their variety and natural beauty. And while the antlers themselves glorify God as a part of His creation, and I have the opportunity to emulate Him in the creative act, I pray that I may not forget that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” God will be glorified; may I glorify him too. ✝

6

7

PCJH.ORG

~

PINNACLE

13 13

YO U N G AT A R T

~ Jane Lavino

W

H E N O U R D A U G H T E R WA S J U S T T W O years old, my husband and I took her with us to the University of Wyoming Art Museum to see a traveling exhibition. On display were some works by the famous French sculptor, August Rodin. Rodin created many fabulous bronze sculptures, including The Thinker in 1904. We walked into the museum’s large gallery and stopped in our tracks, stunned by what we saw. Arranged before us were at least a dozen exceptional masterpieces by this famous, impressionist sculptor. Our toddler walked straight up to one of the sculptures, a huge composition of abstracted forms. She stood still in front of it, staring intently.

As I approached the sculpture, all I could make out, at first, were massive oblong shapes and sinuous curves. Upon closer inspection, I saw the figure of a reclining female nude with a baby cradled in her arms. Our daughter was absolutely transfixed. I imagined she might be reminiscing about breast-feeding in her infancy, or feeling the emotions of the mother-child bond that was the essence of this piece. After a long while, I approached her and reverently whispered “What do you think?” She turned to me, and joyfully exclaimed “Doggie!”

“So much for my lofty imaginings!” I thought; “She’s way too young to appreciate this exhibit.” Then I began to think differently.

There are many ways to enjoy art. There is no wrong way. Everyone likes something different for different reasons. This sculpture had spoken to her, and she was delighted by it. That’s valid. Art gives us an experience like no other; a chance to connect, use our imaginations, explore perceptions, feelings and new thoughts. Museums provide space for this. Should you bring a two-year-old to a Rodin exhibition? Absolutely!

Try it. Take a child to an art museum. Ask them what they like JANE LAVINO is the Sugden Chief Curator of Education at The National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, WY. She loves making fine art relevant and accessible to diverse audiences.

and tell them what you like. Ask them what they think is going on in the art, or how it makes them feel. This can lead to a free-flowing dialogue that can be hard to come by in the day-to-day busyness of life. You might start the conversation: “I like this sculpture because, to me, it looks like a mother and her child. It reminds me of when you were little and we used to snuggle in bed reading books before you fell asleep at night.” “It makes me feel happy and warm inside.”

That’s the thing about life. It is infinitely richer when it is filled with art. Intentionally surround yourself with all kinds of art: visual arts, music, theater, dance, and film. Visit places where you can step out of your everyday routines in order to expand your imagination. We are creative beings made in the image of a creative God. We must support, encourage and sustain creativity in ourselves and others in order to feel complete. And while you’re at it, strive to be a producer of art, not just a consumer of what others create.

I have spent my entire career working in the arts, first as a school art teacher, and more recently as an art museum educator.

I make art myself, and have mentored a few young artists over the years. Here are some surefire tips for encouraging young artists to become lifelong artists and art lovers:

› Bring children to a variety of art places and events: museums, gallery walks, art fairs, and artist demonstrations.

› Introduce them to artists you know, both historical and contemporary. Introduce them in-person to artists.

› Provide good quality art materials and art instruction so they can develop their skills and creativity.

› On back-to-school night, visit the art room and talk with the ›

art teacher (hardly anyone does). This will show your child that you value the arts as much as any other subjects.

Most importantly, share your joy and curiosity as you learn alongside your child. Paint together, side-by-side. Hang art in your home together, including your child’s artwork. Scientific studies have proven what I know to be true: art delivers a multitude of benefits that improve our health, our success, and our lives! ✝

14 S E E I N G G O D I N T H E A R T S ~ W I N T E R 2 0 2 3

I H AV E LO V E D

A

S I SIT DOWN TO WRITE THIS ARTICLE, I am adding the finishing touches to an order for a wedding here in Flathead. As I pack up the centerpieces, I am moved to say a little prayer for the bride and groom, my small part in what will be a beautiful start to a new beginning.

I have loved “arts and crafts” for most of my life, starting with gum wrapper chains in grade school.

My mother always provided me with encouragement and the tools to color, glue, cut, draw, and assemble. My science fair projects always had an artistic flare, especially my “layers of the atmosphere” paper mâché diorama. I could spend hours out in the woods finding things in nature (and in the trash) that I could redesign and recreate into something new.

Over my years as a preschool teacher, and on a strict budget, I found that I could find the best items for projects in the trash and recycling bins. Paper towel rolls became beautiful sculptures, donated carpet squares became spaceships and boats, cardboard boxes strung together became a town. This passion has carried on into my adulthood and now into my retirement.

~ Terri Hayden

My business, Resurrected Gifts, gives new purpose to discarded or found materials. The local thrift stores know me, I even have the Tuesday crew at the local non- profit thrift store save items for me. I also have discovered the beauty in nature’s “crafts”.

For example, I am an avid collector of sea glass. Its humble beginnings start out as glass that has been thrown away, discarded and broken. If the glass happens to land in water and is tossed about by waves and rocks taking some hard knocks along the way, it emerges smooth, refined, and beautiful, and finally pursued by someone who can turn it into a piece of art. I feel God does that with us. We find ourselves being discarded and tossed, unsure of direction or purpose. All the while we are being gently refined by our Father, who loves us, pursues us, and transforms us into something useful and beautiful.

When I work on an idea or project, I feel a renewed energy and blessed that I was given creativity from our Maker. It took me quite a long time to accept that this is a “gift”. God gives us a portion of creativity and grace that is unique and helps us achieve what we are called to do. God is creative, and because we are formed in God’s image and likeness, we’re creative. It has taken me years to embrace this and to understand it is “a calling”.

Taking the spiritual gifts inventory a few times confirmed this over and over.

Throughout the years I had the affirmation from friends and family to take the leap and try the craft fair circuit. Before this I was happy to give out my crafts as gifts, not ready to put my items on display or even charge money for them! Talk about a leap of faith!

I started out with a table at one of the first PCJH crafts fairs on a cold Saturday in December. A quick prayer before hand helped to calm my nerves, along with the encouraging support of friends. What I discovered was that it was not about making money, but engaging with people, sharing my passion and connecting with fellow artisans.

I have continued to show at craft and art fairs all over the West. It’s not to say I have not had crafters block or had my spirits dampened when I would hear from shoppers “I can make that myself,” or they just walk on by my booth not even stopping for a chat. I would say to myself “wait, I didn’t even have a chance to tell them about my mission and passion!” It’s funny how one can dwell on the negative and tend to forget all the positive comments. I am reminded of this from my pastor husband all the time. ✝

TERRI HAYDEN is a former member of PCJH and 32 year resident of Jackson. Now retired she lives in Bigfork, Montana with her husband Rev. Paul Hayden and fur baby Wrigley.

PCJH.ORG

~

PINNACLE

15

THE MUSIC CONTINUES...

M

~ Jerome Young

Y FAMILY LIVED AND WORKED MY GRANDPA'S farm in Wake County, North Carolina, about eight miles from Raleigh. My start in music goes back to Christmas Day 1957, when I was surprised with a cheap little six-string acoustic guitar, a lesson on tuning and a few melody ideas. This first lesson came from my dad’s cousin, Uncle Hexie, I called him. From there, I was off and running.

I couldn’t get enough of learning new tunes and played my short little fingers sore. I suppose most players go through different stages of interest in various players and styles of playing. Some of mine were the Carter Family, Johnny Cash, Duane Eddy, The Beatles, and, later, Doc and Merle Watson.

There have been a lot of good flatpicking guitarists and several five-string banjo players, mainly Earl Scruggs.

When I saw our first son being born, I accepted Jesus into my life and it wasn’t long before I was playing guitar in the Community Bible Church worship band. Pastor Don Handis’ brother Dean and I played with a variety of vocalists over the many years there.

Before I get ahead of myself, I should say that I met my wife Chris while I was working at the next ranch over from her parents’ place in Buffalo Valley (where we still live). I had moved to Wyoming from back East in 1975 and we got married in 1977.

Before Chris and I started attending PCJH we had been regulars at River Crossing (now Gateway) for 15 years. When JEROME YOUNG musician, rancher, father, lives with his wife Chris in Buffalo Valley.

He has played music for many ensembles since coming to Jackson in 1975.

pastor Mike Atkins moved back to North Carolina and River Crossing became Gateway, I stopped in at PCJH one Sunday morning in May 2018 for a looksee. I saw Kenny Hadden that morning and he knew that I played music and invited me to join in the following Sunday. I had always admired Kenny’s singing and his skill on his instruments—this first experience was enjoyable for me.

I found that the music that was being played at PCJH was to my liking and something that I could play along with.

I knew several people who were PCJH members and was welcomed by Ben and Tammy. I prefer more of an acoustic style of music for a for a worship service and there is a lot of music being done elsewhere that is too loud and electric-sounding for my taste. There’s room for all of it, but I connect with what’s being done at PCJH. There are so many good vocalists thathave been or are actively participating here. My favorite thing to do is accompany singers with the guitar or mandolin. I have never felt that I have much talent for singing but I feel some instrumental embellishment is a great addition to worship music. There have been times when the Spirit leads us to a place that leaves me with goosebumps and near tears. I think that is felt by others as well.

I play a lot of music in and around town, and Fremont County with different players and, for me, the enjoyment of the music by the audience or congregation is what makes it worthwhile.

We do get paid most of the time, but there are places where we play for the listening pleasure of those unable to leave home, in assisted living facilities, senior centers and museums.

I have had some problems with my hands over the years that crops up in playing music, but I think God has showed me ways to work around those issues. Sure, I have had several surgeries and long series of Botox injections for focal dystonia and torn muscle tissue, but I feel blessed that I keep playing. There are people my age that are unable to continue because of arthritis or other issues. I feel blessed to continue to be a part of the music at our church.

Chris and I recently saw a movie in town called ‘After Death.’

The focus was on many people who had near death or actual death experiences and came back to life to tell their stories. They all had similar positive reflections of seeing dazzling light and incomparable music. So music has been a big part of worshipping our God since, even possibly, before King David’s era and will always be a part of how we express worship to our God. To my way of thinking, I should give it back to the one who gives it to us. I hope to be able to do this the rest of my life. Praise God! ✝

“Yet you, Lord, are our you are the potter; we are

16 S E E I N G G O D I N T H E A R T S ~ W I N T E R 2 0 2 3

P

BEING IN A BAND WITH GOD

I C T U R E T H I S : YO U A R E O N A S TAG E B Y yourself for the very first time, standing in a bright spotlight in front of all of your classmates ready to say the monologue you have practiced over and over again. When you step up to the microphone, your mind draws a blank. You stand there like a statue - wide eyed, sweaty palms, scanning everywhere in your brain for the words you need to say. The audience begins whispering to one another, and before embarrassment completely takes over, someone backstage feeds you your lines and you meekly repeat them and run off stage.

That was my experience being an emcee at my fifth grade talent show and somehow I still yearned to be on stage.

Throughout middle and high school I performed at piano recitals, choir concerts, plays and musicals. Performing is this incredible mix of nervousness and excitement, and after my frozen talent show debut I was determined to make the stage a comfortable place. There were (and still are) moments where I forgot the words to a song or missed my entrance, but in the moments when I really nail it there is no greater feeling.

The love that I gained from being in the performing arts in school inspired me to study Jazz and Commercial Music in college. My time at jazz school taught me one of the most important skills as a performer - how to improvise. There are fundamentals to improvising that I learned in the classroom and in my voice lessons (scat-soloing, phrasing, what scales to use over certain chords), but the real magic happens in the rehearsal room and on stage when you and the band are creating in real time. By tuning in to the other instruments around me, I can calm my mind and open up my heart, allowing creativity to flow through me. There is an unspoken depth to friendships with musicians because you communicate through the music in ways that can never fully be articulated in speech. Creative connection is

Father. We are the clay, all the work of your hand." ~ Isaiah 64:8

~ Melissa Elliott

sacred, and I feel the presence of the Spirit speaking through every note and chord change, reminding me that God is ever present with me in life and on stage, all I have to do is listen.

When I am playing a gig by myself I rarely have a plannedout set list. Sure, I have a long list of songs I know, but I don’t really know what I’m going to play until the guitar is in my hand, because I always get a gentle nudge of inspiration of what to play (I know, it sounds a little out there, but bear with me). I recently performed at a wedding up at the Wedding Tree. After the couple said “I do,” I had planned to play some post-ceremony music. I had the nudge to play “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash and sang and strummed while the guests mingled away for champagne.

One woman stayed by me listening, and when I finished she came up to me and told me that “Ring of Fire” was her husband's favorite song. He had a Johnny Cash tape in his truck that he would play over and over, and she said that she was always annoyed with it, but on that day she had never been so happy to hear that song because he had passed away just a few months prior. I got chills and she had tears in my eyes, and I believe that God was working through me through song to speak to her heart. In an instance like that, I truly feel like my gift as a musician is to be a vessel for God’s message of comfort and hope. To be patient, to be present, and to sing what is on my heart because it might be a message for someone listening.

Now when I’m asked if I get nervous before going on stage, my answer is always: “no, not really.” Through pursuing performance, I have been able to curb my spotlight jitters by focusing on those around me, and when I make a mistake I can improvise and move on. By tuning into the present moment, I feel myself as close to God as I can possibly be. When we are in situations where we are struck with fear, we can either choose to freeze, or to ease into the present moment and make space for God to speak (or sing) through our hearts and minds. ✝

MELISSA ELLIOTT is a singer, songwriter, and music teacher born and raised in Jackson Hole.

PCJH.ORG

~

PINNACLE

17

~ P C J H B I R T H DAYS / A N N I V E R S A R I E S

DECEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

Pastoral Staff

01

Cameron Page

01

02

03

Naomi Pascal

04

John Shipman

03 David & Marian Meyers

(42)

Rev. Ben Pascal bpascal@pcjh.org Senior Pastor

x 101

05

William Soltau

Daniel & Elizabeth Hennessey

(43)

06

Debbie Iobst

05

07

Cammy Lawson

10

Sarah Beninga

11

Heather Gray

14

Daniel Hennessy Kathy Johnson Tom Deltz

15 17

Carol Poole Wes Womack Susan Conner Shirley Piper Bob Benz

18 Fred & Linda Walker

(36) 19

Michele Halle Merrill Ritter

21

Carol Kelleghan Rich Viola Vickie & Charles Atwater

(53) 22

Bill Fox

23

Isaac Hayden Barb Huhn Rick Unruh

24

Robyn Jones

25

Patricia McDonald

26

Nancy Dunlap

29

Grace Berg Dorothy Neckels Billy Robertson

06

Macye Maher

04 Kate Kool Larry and Paula Jorgenson

(57)

tmitchell@pcjh.org x 104

05

Kathy Robertson

Office Staff

06

Don Harger Nancy Lori

Brian Bultema

Linda Hanlon Brad Herman

bbultema@pcjh.org

x109

07

Cindy Dahlin

cdahlin@pcjh.org x107

Ally Kiefer

akiefer@pcjh.org x102

Brian Remlinger

08

Ralph Hudelson Michael Massie Pastor Tammy Mitchell Karin Unruh Jennifer Baki Sue Bybee Cindy Zabriskie

Cindy Dahlin

08

Diane McGee

10

Gloria Edwards

12

Lori Dodd

11

Mike Jackson

14 Paul & Shirley Piper

(31) 16

Charles Atwater

Ingrid Watsabaugh Harry Talermo

17

Kacy O’Hare Preston Gordon

13

Donna Clark

19

14

Tom Jordan Bill Neal

12

Rev. Tammy Mitchell Associate Pastor

Tiffany Tate Mike Jones

07

11

Yvette Werner

15

Liz Collins Pam Flores Therese Metherel John and Linda Hanlon

(22) 23

Nancy Fauntleroy

25

Bob Kopp

26

Greg Fulton

28

Effie Edwards

29

Patrick McGaugh

Church Administrator

Church Administrator Assitant

Communications Coordinator

Program Staff Laura Huckin

huckin@silverstar.net x123

Amanda Lack

alack@pcjh.org

x111

Megan Walker

mwalker@pcjh.org x124

Worship & Music Coordinator Little Lambs Director

Youth & Young Adult Ministry Coordinator

Cathy Blount Gemma Ford Bob & Vivian Jones (58)

Ruling Elders Class of 2023

2024

2025

21

Chris Sandvig

Wes Lucas* Stewardship

Sarah Romorini Mission

22

Jack Larimer

Caryn Haman Adult Ministry

23

Betsy Forster

25

Debbie Schlinger

Josh Ziolkowski Young Adult Ministry

Steve Iobst* Buildings, Grounds & Vehicles

Trent Doyle Children’s Ministry

30 Andi & Huntley Dornan

(6)

Alan Lund Personnel Patty McDonald Assimilation & Nomination

Clerk of Session: Ken Blount

Marian Meyers Youth Ministry

Tiffany Tate Congregational Life

Becky Kimmel Worship

John Scott* Finance

Teaching Elders: Rev. Ben Pascal & Rev. Tamara Mitchell

Deacons Class of 2023 Michael Schrotz* Ponteir Sackery Brian Bultema Sandra Guido Fernandez

Class of 2024 Lori Dodd* Brad Herman* Joy Steiner* Tom Segerstrom

Class of 2025 Cameron Page Dorothy Neckels* Karlene Owens Sierra Fulton*

*Serving second term

18 S E E I N G G O D I N T H E A R T S ~ W I N T E R 2 0 2 3

~ GET TO KNOW US BROOKE & JOE HUMPHREY / NEW MEMBERS I (Brooke) was raised in Richmond, VA and graduated from Furman University with a degree in biology. I (Joe) am a native of Hopkins, MN and graduated from University of Montana with a degree in resource conservation. We met in 2015 while both were working for the US Forest Service for the summer. I (Brooke) completed my master’s degree at the University of Idaho later that year. I then moved to Jackson in early 2016 to take a job with Alder Environmental as a water resources and wetland scientist. I (Joe) followed Brooke to Jackson and worked a series of jobs, eventually finding his niche as a project engineer with Dembergh Construction, building custom homes.

I (Brooke) am a lifelong Presbyterian and began visiting PCJH where I quickly found friends and Joe and I both got involved in the Ascent 20’s & 30’s group. Pastor Ben married us in 2020 at the Wedding Tree, and baby Eliza arrived in June of this year. She was baptized on Sept. 10, when we also became members of PCJH. We enjoy traveling, cooking, and year-round outdoor activities, especially hiking, camping, and cross-country skiing.

COLLIN BINKO & MAGGIE GOODMAN / NEW MEMBERS Hi PCJH, Collin and Maggie here. We have been living in Jackson going on three years and are excited to take the step to become members here at PCJH. I (Collin) grew up in Rochester, NY and attended a very similar Presbyterian church to our church here.

Focusing on finding God through community is something that I hold dear and was very transformative in my youth. I am currently the JHMS choir and guitar teacher and lead the community jazz ensemble in town.

I (Maggie) grew up in Pittsburgh, PA,. I am a PA that works in a pediatric office in town (Paintbrush Pediatrics). I love getting to be in this community and hanging out with awesome kids every day!

We met in Pittsburgh and then moved to Boston for a short stay as Maggie finished her PA program. We have been married for almost three years and when not working, we spend our time skiing, climbing and spending time outside. We look forward to getting to know everyone at PCJH.

AVERY KOOL & CHRIS STOUT / NEW MEMBERS My husband, Chris, and I live in Klamath Falls, Oregon with our daughters Sable (3) and Selah (1). We also share our home with Angus (black lab) and Squid (black cat).

I grew up in the Midwest and Chris grew up in the Pacific Northwest. We met at a logging sports competition at Oregon State University (go Beavs!) and have been saw partners ever since. Chris is a forester for the Bureau of Land Management and I work for the Forest Service. We both have deeply held values of caring for the land and serving the public. We were introduced to PCJH through my sister, Kate (Kool), and her husband, Daniel (Primich). We would attend when we came to visit and would tune into the livestream sporadically. We began tuning in regularly in early 2020 after we made a move to Michigan and were trying to find our bearings. Listening weekly helped bring us calm and refocus as we learned to navigate new waters (the Great Lakes are big). We continue to listen in regularly and enjoy coming in person when we are in town! Our girls were baptized in July and coming into the church felt a bit like coming home. Thank you for welcoming us to the PCJH family!

PCJH.ORG

~

PINNACLE

19

Address Service Requested Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit # 189 Jackson, WY 83002

1251 South Park Loop Road, P.O. Box 7530, Jackson, WY 83002 I pcjh.org I 307 - 734 - 0388

S P iRiT

SIGHTINGS

"He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.” ~ Exodus 35:35 PHOTO: Kathy Robertson