Mill Creek Parish

Mill Creek Parish Disciples are M.A.D.E at Mill Creek Parish United Methodist Church

“Even when it comes to the pettiest, tiniest things, we need to grieve so that we can make room for the better. There’s ...
04/20/2025

“Even when it comes to the pettiest, tiniest things, we need to grieve so that we can make room for the better. There’s the key, though: our grief cannot become our everything. With memory, testimony, and time, we can recognize that grief is liminal, not terminal. And it need not crowd out other truths: that we have loved and been loved. That we are not alone. That there is still hope in the land of the living.”

—Rev. Jeff Chu () from his commentary on Luke 24:1-12 | A Sanctified Art LLC

“I began this image contemplating Jesus’ posture on the cross. The crucifix inherently spreads its victims’ arms out wid...
04/19/2025

“I began this image contemplating Jesus’ posture on the cross. The crucifix inherently spreads its victims’ arms out wide, willing the body into the shape of surrender. There is no fighting back. It forces one to face death with open arms…

In this image, I referenced the Christ the Redeemer statue, drawing Jesus’ dying position into a posture of warm embrace. I omitted his face in order to focus merely on his arms stretched wide. I repeated this pattern four times, which formed the shape of an open cross. As I worked, I realized the image resembles a cross crosslet, which carries as many varied meanings as the crucifix itself. In this image, my intention is to thwart the brutality and violence of the crucifix with the imagery of a wide embrace, which will soon become a symbol of death-defying resistance.”

—from the artist statement for “A Wide Embrace” by Lisle Gwynn Garrity |

I’d be willing to pray all night,to pray until my voice is hoarse—“Save yourself, and us,” or just,“Save yourself, and m...
04/18/2025

I’d be willing to pray all night,
to pray until my voice is hoarse—
“Save yourself, and us,” or just,
“Save yourself, and me.”
But eventually, my demands soften.
Eventually, the edge in my voice smooths.
Eventually, time wears down my insistence,
and “Save yourself and me” will become:
“If you’re there,
just don’t forget me.
Please, don’t forget me.”

—from “I’ve Been the Thief” by Rev. Sarah Speed |

“This summer my family traveled back to Okinawa and mainland Japan, the places we lived during my infant and toddler yea...
04/17/2025

“This summer my family traveled back to Okinawa and mainland Japan, the places we lived during my infant and toddler years… I was particularly taken by the great deference that the human-made physical structures held for creation. The waters have power and everything reflects that awareness.

This artwork reflects that deference—the humility in the face of the power of the waters—through an adaptation of the Okinawa wave pattern that is found on pottery throughout the island. Here, each wave represents a disciple around a circular table. Judas’s wave flows the opposite direction from all of the others, creating discord in the pattern and in the narrative. He seeks a worldly type of power. Within the table, four rivers flow out from Jesus, who is represented as a 13th wave flowing in the midst.”

—from the artist statement for “Four Waters at Table” by Hannah Garrity |

In a world that wants power like a machine gun,power like a bomber plane,power like a gated fence to keep the hungry out...
04/16/2025

In a world that wants power like a machine gun,
power like a bomber plane,
power like a gated fence to keep the hungry out,
I want power like a seed—
power that will crack me open and grow
something good…

—from “Power Like a Seed” by Rev. Sarah Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC

“Amid a sometimes turbulent and chaotic world, if we enter with faith and Christ in our hearts we shall be delivered. Th...
04/14/2025

“Amid a sometimes turbulent and chaotic world, if we enter with faith and Christ in our hearts we shall be delivered. The figure’s hands are lifted in praise as he navigates the flood of life which can be overbearing. He recognizes that the flood of life is symbolic of sin and separation from God. He closes his eyes, humbles himself before God, and he is delivered into a new chapter of his life, triumphant.”

—from the artist statement for “I Believe” by Steve Prince (.prince.35728) | A Sanctified Art LLC

“Bearing witness complicates things. Divisive soundbites crumble, north and south get confused. But, stones certainly kn...
04/13/2025

“Bearing witness complicates things. Divisive soundbites crumble, north and south get confused. But, stones certainly know the violence, graves, and peace prayers held in this sacred, desecrated land.

On a borrowed donkey from a gracious neighbor, on crowd-sourced paths accompanied by loud rejoicing, Jesus wept on arrival, knowing full well what we humans are capable of doing to each other. He rode right into what stones have seen: criminalization and death-dealing decisions, dehumanization and denial of dignity, disregard for expansive beauty. What would stones shout? What do you shout? What do you silence?”

—Dr. Mindy McGarrah Sharp (.m.sharp) from her commentary on Luke 19:29-40 | A Sanctified Art LLC

Can we turn black and white into shades of gray?Do we call each other out, for righteousness’ sake?Do we call each other...
04/12/2025

Can we turn black and white into shades of gray?
Do we call each other out, for righteousness’ sake?
Do we call each other in? Do we grab something to eat?
As always, love is somewhere in between.

—from “Righteousness & Mercy” by Rev. Sarah Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC

What does it look like to show mercy and still hold people accountable? | A Sanctified Art LLC
04/11/2025

What does it look like to show mercy and still hold people accountable? | A Sanctified Art LLC

Far too often we hold ontoAnger dressed as righteousnessWe forget we serve a God whoCalls us to relationshipSo when thos...
04/10/2025

Far too often we hold onto
Anger dressed as righteousness
We forget we serve a God who
Calls us to relationship
So when those who caused us harm
Repent and choose a better way
Spirit move our vengeful hearts
To choose love instead of wrath

—from the hymn “Righteous Mercy” by Rev. Anna Strickland | A Sanctified Art LLC

“Jesus calls Zacchaeus out of his identity as ‘sycophant’ [from the same root as ‘sycamore’] into his new identity as ‘r...
04/09/2025

“Jesus calls Zacchaeus out of his identity as ‘sycophant’ [from the same root as ‘sycamore’] into his new identity as ‘repentant host’ who invites Jesus into his home and redistributes his ill-gotten wealth. Zacchaeus’s clothing holds a repeated pattern of four figs and halves of coins, referencing the fruits of his transformation.

The area where Zacchaeus sat in the tree is fruitless and dying. His actions were destructive and oppressive to his own community. The crowd is correct in grumbling about him; their anger is righteous, but Jesus offers mercy. In this visual metaphor, Jesus removes him from the tree so it has a chance to heal and nourish the whole community.”

—from the artist statement for “Zacchaeus” by Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman | A Sanctified Art LLC

Address

7101 Horizon Ter
Derwood, MD
20855

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm

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+13019269024

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