Faith and Art - Heather

You might call her a bit of an overachiever, but over time, Heather earned four different college degrees. And as non-traditional student embarking on her fourth degree in textiles at the University of Kansas, this beagle lover found herself distanced from church and her faith. Lara West, LCM-KU Minister of Music, at the time, knew Heather and invited her to join campus ministry worship at Canterbury House, where LCM-KU was residing at the time – in cooperation with the Episcopal campus ministry on campus.

Heather found herself in a group of students who were mostly graduate students and seniors – folks a little closer in age to herself. She found a home in the people at Canterbury House. She found her faith again. She enjoyed Wednesday night spaghetti dinners (she emphasizes they were usually with “no meat” sauce) and the interesting debates and discussions the community of students engaged in. Heather remembers the intimate discussions about faith and contemporary topics which she engaged in enthusiastically.

As Heather grew more aware of where she was in her faith journey, she became more conscious of what she needed and what she wanted to be in her Christian faith. This included her interactions with campus pastor, Shawn Norris. Their conversations informed her own growing faith which revealed itself in her final textile project. Heather created a set of liturgical stoles for a new pastor (a former LCM-KU student) that included special designs of seasonal liturgical symbols and hand-embroidered scriptures on the ‘insides’ of the stoles. These liturgical expressions of faith gave Heather a way to share not only her artistry but also her deepest beliefs.

Just as Heather recalls her journey of faith at LCM-KU, we remember your faithfulness and generosity to and with Westwood House. Thank you for your ongoing connection to and support of our ministry. Thanks be to God!