Water + Renewal

Renewal BOOK OF

Renewal BOOK OF

Brooke Choquette

Published in Lincoln, Nebraska Copyright 2013

Contents Foreward Preface Introduction Definition Water + Ritual Water + Baptism Water + Community Water + Individual Conclusion Bibliography Colophon

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Foreward During the Fall Semester 2013 at the University of NebraskaLincoln, students of “Advanced Graphic Design and Design Studio 421/426” authored a collection of maps, charts and diagrams that centered around the concept of “Water and System.” Each designed artifact addressed aspects of individual design research and illustrates various methods of investigation. Projects engaged students in the invention of unique graphic systems that visualized information about water. The designs represent quantitative and qualitative narratives and illustrate individual perspectives and interest.

These visual displays of water and system were compiled into an atlas--a book of maps, charts, illustrations or diagrams united by the subject of water and system. The atlas represents a coordinated body of methods, a scheme or plan of procedure that was used to organized data from design research. Various production withods were considered and students were encourgaed to explore a wide variety of media and design strategies. These methods were evslusted on their effectiveness as generators of visual information with respect ot their own project goals and intended meanings.

by Stacy Asher

Preface For years renewal has been seen as something good and necessary in the Christian religion. As I started on this project at the beginning of the year, I was not certain how the project would turn out or what would happen along the way. I quickly found that people in the local churches I visited had a connection to their church and the way that their service was done. It became a type of ritual for them and something that was constant in an everchanging world. You could see the love of the church and it’s members in the way individuals would talk. I also share that same experience with the church I attend. For me, it is about coming together to practice your faith in community and ritual that has been done for almost 2000 years.

Through this book we will look together at the traditions of the Christian faith, how some local churches are practicing rituals, and I will tell you my personal story of renewal.

Renewal is something that most people search for in their life.

Some people find that in a religion and other people find it in their job or activity. A constant newness of life is something that we yearn for. In Christianity, members of churches have looked for renewal in councils and meetings, in going back to tradition or moving forward, and in breaking off and altering beliefs. This sense of new life has always been evident within the life of the church.

by Brooke Choquette

Introduction For years renewal has been seen as something good and necessary in the Christian religion. As I started on this project at the beginning of the year, I was not certain how the project would turn out or what would happen along the way. I quickly found that people in the local churches I visited had a connection to their church and the way that their service was done. It became a type of ritual for them and something that was constant in an everchanging world. You could see the love of the church and it’s members in the way individuals would talk. I also share that same experience with the church I attend. For me, it is about coming together to practice your faith in community and ritual that has been done for almost 2000 years.

Through this book we will look together at the traditions of the Christian faith, how some local churches are practicing rituals, and I will tell you my personal story of renewal.

Renewal is something that most people search for in their life.

Some people find that in a religion and other people find it in their job or activity. A constant newness of life is something that we yearn for. In Christianity, members of churches have looked for renewal in councils and meetings, in going back to tradition or moving forward, and in breaking off and altering beliefs. This sense of new life has always been evident within the life of the church.

by Brooke Choquette

Re•new •al

the state of being made new

to begin again with more forece or enthusiasm

give fresh life or strength to

WATER + RITUAL in Christianity

When looking at the traditions of Christianity that dates back almost 2000 years, it seems that a lot has to be covered. However, many of the same practices that were done in the early Christian church survive today. These practices are sacred, but mostly bring people closer to a higher being. The rituals serve as a bridge to another place or person that otherwise might not be possible. In this way, the intangible immortal realm becomes more tangible and real, something that we may be able to see or to hold. Throughout my process of searching in this project, I have found that the congregations in these churches are convinced that it is not just in doing a ritual but in what that ritual means and how it connects you with this person of God.

Sign of the Cross 3 1

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The sign of the cross is considered one of the most basic prayers and in some denominations the very first prayer a person learns. Even though this prayer is more routine for certain denominations, it is still seen as something all Christians can say.

+ Religions that use this practice include Catholic, Episcopal, Orthodox, Lutheran + Done to remember baptismal promises + Used to ward off evil spirits + Is considered a form of prayer

Matthew 28:19 John 14:13-14 Acts 2:21

Steps to follow do ritual

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Facts abou the ritual

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Bible verse ritual is about

Name ##:##

+ Most sects of Christianity do this ritual + Most commonly performed on Maundy Thursday + Maundy Thursday is the remembrance of the Last Supper when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples + Some denominations include it in their Passover ceremony

John 13: 1-17

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Steps to follow do ritual

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Facts abou the ritual

Name ##:##

Bible verse ritual is about

Washing of the Feet

Washing of the feet is seen as an intimate ritual done in reference straight from the Bible. People take this ritual as something to do for another in service and humilty.

Water Mixed with Wine

Water mixed with wine has been practiced since the Early Church. It takes various forms today and is starting to become less common among Protestant churches.

+ Religions that use this practice include Catholic, Episcopal, and Orthodox + Signifies the blood and water from the side of Jesus + Was originally a cultural practice + Later gained spiritual significance + Jesus performed this at the Last Supper

Isaiah 1:22 John 1 9:34 Romans 5:2

Steps to follow do ritual

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Facts abou the ritual

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Bible verse ritual is about

Name ##:##

+ Religions that use this practice include Catholic, Episcopal, Orthodox, and Lutheran + Done to remember baptismal promises + Water can also signify farewell

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Steps to follow do ritual

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Facts abou the ritual

Name ##:##

Bible verse ritual is about

Sprinkling of Water at Funerals 1

Practice of sprinkling water at funerals is done to remember the beginning of the Christian journey and to renew those baptismal promises at the end of earthlt life. It is done as a farewell but also as a symbolism for a heavenly birth.

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3

WATER + BAPTISM in Christianity

Baptism

+ Signifies the removal of Original Sin + Refers to Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan + Seen by many sects as an initiation into Christianity + Some denominations believe it washes all sin away and produces a clean soul + Recognized by almost all types of Christians

Matthew 3

Steps to follow do ritual

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Facts abou the ritual

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Bible verse ritual is about

Name ##:##

Immersion Baptism Person is fully covered in water from top to bottom

This was the type of baptism used in the Early Church

Most agree that Jesus was fully immerged in the Jordan

Some sects, like Fundamentalists, believe immersion is the only legitimate form of baptism

Many protestant churches that use immersion have pool-sized baptismal in the church. Often near the front of the church or the altar

Non-Immersion Baptism Came about because of infant baptism

Aspertion and infusion came about in 1311 AD after the Council of Ravenna

Often use bowls or sponges to sprinkle the water over the person being baptized

Asperdion is a type of sprinkling and infusion is a type of pouring in non-immersion baptism

Common practice in Catholic, Orthodox, Episcopal, and Lutheran. The sects that are most commonly using infant baptism

WATER +COMMUNITY in Christianity

When I started looking at local churches I had a list of 35 churches in the downtown area. After calling a few churches and visting some others, I realized that I would only be able to do a handful. I carefully narrowed down the group and tried to get a variety of churches. I also included all of the churches located on campus. These churches became the beginning stages of my project and helped me in research to uncover ideas about renewal and Christianity.

Water has been seen as a renewal symbol throughout religion for many years. The following is a study on eight churches within the selected downtown area in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Specifically, the research shows water usage in worship services in Christian churches.

CATHOLIC

EPISCOPAL

LUTHERAN

METHODIST

BAPTIST

NON DENOMINATIONAL

Number of Churches Surveyed

Number of Churches Surveyed at UNL

Percent of Churches Surveyed

The denomination breakdown of the churches surveyed is displayed on the previous page. The breakdown includes various factors that input meaning into the research I have done. By looking at the denominations and further aspects within each denomination we can make more connections to water, ritual, and religion.

About church here....

1. St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church 1 Holy water available daily in small bowls. 2 Water used in Sacraments such as Baptism, Marriage, and Holy Orders. 3 Water used to wash hands of priest.

Non-Immersion Baptism No Use of Water in Service Rectangle Baptismal

Weekly Use of Water

Cross Baptismal

Full Immersion Baptism Daily Use of Water Octagon Baptismal

Round Baptismal

2 Lutheran Chapel 1 Use of water in Baptism. 2 Baptismal font in back of sanctuary. 3 Crystal bowl for baptismal font.

Non-Immersion Baptism No Use of Water in Service Rectangle Baptismal

Weekly Use of Water

Cross Baptismal

Full Immersion Baptism Daily Use of Water Octagon Baptismal

Round Baptismal

About church here....

About church here....

3 St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 1 Use of water for special blessings. 2 Use of water in Baptism. 3 Water used to mix wine during service.

Non-Immersion Baptism No Use of Water in Service Rectangle Baptismal

Weekly Use of Water

Cross Baptismal

Full Immersion Baptism Daily Use of Water Octagon Baptismal

Round Baptismal

4 First Baptist 1 Baptismal font is 20 feet long and 4 feet deep. 2 Fontis at the front of the church.

Non-Immersion Baptism No Use of Water in Service Rectangle Baptismal

Weekly Use of Water

Cross Baptismal

Full Immersion Baptism Daily Use of Water Octagon Baptismal

Round Baptismal

About church here....

About church here....

5 St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1 Holy water available daily in small bowls. 2 Water used in Sacraments such as Baptism, Marriage, and Holy Orders. 3 Water used to wash hands of priest.

Non-Immersion Baptism No Use of Water in Service Rectangle Baptismal

Weekly Use of Water

Cross Baptismal

Full Immersion Baptism Daily Use of Water Octagon Baptismal

Round Baptismal

6 First Christian 1 Baptismal font next to altar. 2 Font has steps to walk in and out of. 3 Have both an old and new baptismal font available.

Non-Immersion Baptism No Use of Water in Service Rectangle Baptismal

Weekly Use of Water

Cross Baptismal

Full Immersion Baptism Daily Use of Water Octagon Baptismal

Round Baptismal

About church here....

About church here....

7 St. Paul United Methodist Church 1 Perform Baptism several times per year. 2 Water for font is held in a bowl.

Non-Immersion Baptism No Use of Water in Service Rectangle Baptismal

Weekly Use of Water

Cross Baptismal

Full Immersion Baptism Daily Use of Water Octagon Baptismal

Round Baptismal

8 The Lutheran Center 1 Water is always in baptismal font. 2 Font is in the middle of the isle in the sanctuary.

Non-Immersion Baptism No Use of Water in Service Rectangle Baptismal

Weekly Use of Water

Cross Baptismal

Full Immersion Baptism Daily Use of Water Octagon Baptismal

Round Baptismal

About church here....

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27th St.

8 1 2

O St.

10th St.

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1. St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church 2. Lutheran Chapel 3. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 4. First Baptist 5. St. Mary’s Catholic Church 6. First Christian 7. St. Paul United Methodist Church 8. The Lutheran Center

WATER + INDIVIDUAL in Christianity

For every person they find a sense of renewal in something. The individual experience of renewal is sacred and an aspect to be respected. In this section of my project, I will be taking you through my personal story of renewal. I will show you how I have and currently experience renewal in water within religion.

My Renewal

As I started my journey in the Christian life, much like this project, I did not understand the idea of water and renewal. I actually didn’t understand the idea of religion and structure and ritual at all.

I felt like

During a spring break trip to Rome, I discovered much beauty within the churches we visited.

Each church became a new experience and a sensse of renewal for me. The circular forms that are so present in church architecture and religion continued to repeat themselves in the places I visited. When making this trip to the Pantheon, I was blown away. I had never been to a building that was built so long ago. In this particular picture to the left, the opening at the top of the Pantheon is displayed. This hole serves as the drainage system for the structure. It lets the water come down and create a puddle in the middle. While I was visiting, it was raining out.

I got to experience the sound the water made as it dripped down into the middle. The image of water coming over the middle of the structure is something that I remember vividly. It certainly reminds me of renewal.

As this situation was fresh in my head, I began to think about my life and these church. How I interacted with them and how they influenced me mattered. I realized the everyday importance of renewal for my life. In a world where I struggle to do good all the time, constantly being tempted, I have the opportunity to gain renewal through religion and through this symbol of water. It becomes this means of warding off the evil that I encounter and re-focusing my life on greater things. The idea of renewal is a new beginning. In many ways, I am constantly starting anew every time I interact with water as a ritual or religious symbolism.

Upon walking into St. Peter’s Basilica, I was confronted with the various shapes and forms of church architecture. I became overwhelmed with the way the pure forms were acting on me, bringing out many emotions. I experienced a renewal through form and structure. The altar shown on the previous page struck me as a place where I come to worship and through the worship use the substance of water to renew my belief in Christianity. As I watch water being mixed with wine, the light shines through the stained glass window. A sense of hope and peace are renewed through these situations. Without water, my experience would be much different, maybe even less full of meaning. I become grateful for the water given to me and the significance it continues to have in my spiritual life.

Bibliography

Colophon