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Hoosier United Methodists together |
July/August 2005 |
Potter shows we are molded by grace
By Matthew Oates
and Daniel R. Gangler
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Potter Russ Harris and his wife, Karen Greenwaldt, were moving a table across the Elliott Hall auditorium for a Bible study presentation during the North Indiana Conference sessions June 2-4 at Purdue University.
Both Harris and Greenwaldt teamed with Indiana Area Bishop Mike Coyner to present a series of six Bible studies dealing with various aspects of church leadership based on Scripture.
Before one of the sessions, Together caught up with him onstage as he was setting up his tools and interacting with Bishop Mike Coyner, reviewing notes and talking to others about his creations that were scattered behind him on stage.
Harris, who has been working with clay for ten years in his Nashville, Tenn. studio, got hooked on clay from selling antique art pottery for numerous years. "Karen suggested that I take a class. I took a class and went back to school."
His work is sold through wholesalers and galleries across the United States. His goal is to not only connect the potter with the clay, but also to connect the finished clay project and the potter with the one who purchases the item. "It enriches you and your life."
Harris and Greenwaldt, who serves as the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship's general secretary, team teach Sunday school, but this was the first time they have done a Bible study together with clay. Harris gives clay presentations regularly for churches and other groups. "It's been fun and a real challenge with the unique Scripture verses. It's been a real good time working with Bishop Mike."
The three of them met in April to review numerous passages and plan the Bible studies. "We're pretty unscripted, though," says Harris. "This was just fun to do."
To say that Harris enjoys pottery is an understatement. "It's being a part of the creative process," he says. "For me, it's like Christmas every time."
Sometimes the best pottery is by "happy accidents" when things go better than planned. "You're always getting better at what you do," he said. "Each pot leads you to the next pot. I'm working for that pot that really sings."
During annual conference
During the annual conference, Harris threw pots as Coyner and Greenwaldt commented on a particular passage of Scripture dealing with church leadership.
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"Clay is the thing that civilized us, when clay hit fire." -- Russ Harris |
For instance, during a Friday evening session, Harris said, preparation has much to do with pottery. He said, "If I don't center the clay (on the wheel), I can't throw a pot. If it's off center, it wobbles. That's somewhat like life if we aren't centered."
Coyner said, "Jesus knew how important it was to center. He would get away alone."
In Mark 6, Jesus gathers the disciples and says to them, 'come to a deserted place and rest yourselves.' Jesus teaches his disciples how to rest, said Coyner.
Greenwaldt said, how do you learn from Jesus, if we want to be the person God wants us to be?
Harris said at the beginning everyday at the study, I read about the saints (of the church). It reminds me of my heritage.
Greenwaldt asked the audience, do you have a quiet place to go? So that when you go there you have entered a holy place.
She said that two of her pastor friends have different places. One had a kneeling rail and spent an hour a day centering alone. His associate made fun of him for "praying in a closet."
Fast forward 30 years, now the associate is trying to find herself.
"Jesus' going away was a habit. He had crowds following him. Part of my rhythm is to close the door and be by myself. Whatever works for you. Everyone needs a place (to center)," said Greenwaldt.
Coyner told the audience that his special place is Epworth Forest, one of the conference campgrounds. "If that had not been the place, would I have another special place? Everyone has to find a space and a place to keep the rhythm of Christian life. If is was necessary for Jesus, it is necessary for us," Coyner said.
Greenwalt then commented, worship on Sunday is probably not enough time for us to center because because we are a participant. I ask those who don't (take time to be alone), what are you afraid of; what are you hiding from? There was a rhythm that was important to Jesus."
Harris said, when I come back from vacation, I need to get back into a rhythm and I feel I am better.
Timing is everything
Commenting during another Bible study session on Matthew 28:16-20, Harris said, clay has a certain timing. You have to be there at the right time (to work with it). He said he left a thrown bowl out last night. "I can't do anything more with it now, so I will reconstitute it," he said.
Coyner replied, "Making disciples has something to say about timing."
Greenwaldt said, "some doubted. How many of us think when we become a Christian we stop doubting. It's not a part to be ignored."
She said that John Wesley, after his Aldersgate experience, had doubt. Then he discovered new ways of understanding the Gospel. The Gospel also says GO.
Harris and Coyner asked and selected several "volunteers."
Clay is the thing that civilized us, when clay hit fire, Harris said. "Next they had a vessel to cook in. They put a lid on it and had a storage container. This allowed people to stay in one place."
Harris taught the volunteers how to make pinch pots. Volunteers were taught and then headed for the audience to teach someone else.
Greenwaldt said teaching is a topic dear to her heart. "When we invite people to faith, we baptize them and TEACH them. Pastors are both preachers and teachers.
Coyner said, "Every pastor needs to be involved in a teaching ministry."
Greenwaldt quoted Wesley saying, "Will you instruct the children? Do you know our doctrine and polity?" Teaching and preaching are interwoven. She said pastors have a responsibility to teach, read and think theologically with their congregations.
For the new class of Elders to be ordained, Harris made chalices and patens. "It's something you will remember of your ordination every time you look at it and how the person who made it gave it to me," he said. "It humanizes people to have things made by other people."
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008