Come thou font of every blessing Renewing Congregational Publications

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1 Come thou font of every blessing Renewing Congregational Publications KATE TEGTMEIER Prince of Peace Lutheran Dublin, OH KT Publications & Design CHAD FOTHERGILL Temple University Philadelphia, PA Workshop Summary As a writer, Martin Luther not only carefully chose and arranged words but also supervised their transition from parchment to print even to the point of recommending paper types, page layouts, and typefaces! The print revolution of his time is not unlike the digital revolution of our own: decisions about the placement of words and images in blogs, newsletters, and bulletins continue to require thoughtful care, for each offers an invitation to encounter the holy. This workshop takes a closer look at the craft of designing congregational materials for our visually-driven culture that to borrow words from one graphic designer convey through tangible media the essential truths and messages of faith. What do certain typefaces or images convey to visitors about the timelessness or disposability of the Gospel message? What might images overtly or subjectively convey about our congregational priorities? Are our bulletins really as accessible for visitors as we think they are? What are some useful resources for finding lectionaryrelated print and digital images? While publications may not be part of every cantor s portfolio, the refined aesthetic sensibilities of musicians have primed them to serve as effective participant-leaders in conversations about ways in which all of the body s senses are engaged. Why does this matter? Today s religious communicators are encouraged to see graphic design as both a descendant of illumination as well as its present day soulmate. The works of the illuminators can remind graphic designers that through aesthetics the elements of hand, eye, word, symbol, and image become subordinated to a higher order. They teach us that content alone is incomplete without form. They teach us that the communications of one s faith are still worth of our best efforts and brightest talents. They teach us that the hospitality of visual grace can become prayer for both maker and viewer. Both illumination and graphic design have distinct qualities to offer, and when in dialogue they may result in works that pass on the wisdom of tradition and beauty through a fresh, powerful new voice. 1 Commercial Design Religious Design Explain, sell De-mystify Culturally-relevant, popular, current Appeal Here, now Self-expression Invite Wonder, ponder Countercultural, timeless Truth, beauty Pause, reflection Relationship in community 1 Kantor, Graphic Design and Religion, Dawn, Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down: A Theology of Worship for This Urgent Time.

2 2 RISE, REMEMBER W E L L T H E FUTURE The Bulletin: Invitation and Navigation Create trust, be reliable Focus on worship Words and images matter Use white space, consistent margins, and consistent formatting to guide the eye and foster trust Try to make print decisions with fresh eyes: what enables you to reach out without dumbing down? 2 Hospitality of page numbers 2 Dawn, Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down: A Theology of Worship for This Urgent Time.

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9 A S S O C I A T I O N O F LUTHERAN CHURCH M U S I C I A N S BIENNIAL CONFERENCE 9 The Bulletin: Typography and Music Typography, Language, and Music Typography is the craft of endowing human language with a durable visual form. Well-chosen words deserve well-chosen letters; these in turn deserve to be set with affection, intelligence, knowledge, and skill. The typographer must analyze and reveal the inner order of the text, as a musician must reveal the inner order of the music she performs. 3 For Consideration Which provides the most clarity or legibility? Which lets the eye move most gracefully? Which calls the most attention to itself? Which calls the least attention to itself? Which best expresses holiness and wonder? Is the most beautiful always the most clear? Dialogue and Rubrics Comparison The Lord be with you. And also with you. Arial Narrow The Lord be with you. And also with you. Garamond The psalm refrain is introduced by the choir, then sung by all. The assembly is invited to chant the verses in bold type. The psalm refrain is introduced by the choir, then sung by all. The assembly is invited to chant the verses in bold type. The Lord be with you. And also with you. Verdana The psalm refrain is introduced by the choir, then sung by all. The assembly is invited to chant the verses in bold type. 3 Bringhurst, The Elements of Typographic Style, Fourth Edition.

10 10 RISE, REMEMBER W E L L T H E FUTURE The Lord be with you. And also with you. Unico The psalm refrain is introduced by the choir, then sung by all. The assembly is invited to chant the verses in bold type. The Lord be with you. And also with you. Minion Pro The Lord be with you. And also with you. Optima The psalm refrain is introduced by the choir, then sung by all. The assembly is invited to chant the verses in bold type. The psalm refrain is introduced by the choir, then sung by all. The assembly is invited to chant the verses in bold type. The Lord be with you. And also with you. Goudy Sans Book The psalm refrain is introduced by the choir, then sung by all. The assembly is invited to chant the verses in bold type. Heading Comparison Gathering Word Meal Sending Britannic Bold Gathering Word Meal Sending Mason Sans Gathering Word Meal Sending Trajan Pro Gathering Word Meal Sending Papyrus Gathering Word Meal Sending Copperplate Gothic Bold Gathering Word Meal Sending Dark Roast Gathering Word Meal Sending Uncial Antiqua Gathering Word Meal Sending Archeologicaps Inserting Music Compression of musical graphics hinders singing It is better to split the graphic across the page

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13 A S S O C I A T I O N O F LUTHERAN CHURCH M U S I C I A N S BIENNIAL CONFERENCE 13 Art Resources Art (like the language of worship) is always purposeful, not filler What are the central symbols of a community, season, or service? Consider a congregational photo ministry? Synodical Resources Evangelical Lutheran Worship Graphics CD-ROM (ELCA) Concordia Art Library: Lutheran Service Book Icons (LCMS) Ian Welch, Paramentics (WELS) KT Publications & Design Databases and Subscription Services Art in the Christian Tradition (Vanderbilt Divinity Library) Bowden Collections Eyekons Newsletter Newsletter Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive Sacred Art Meditations (John A. Kohan) The Text This Week, Art Index

14 14 RISE, REMEMBER W E L L T H E FUTURE General Images and Indices Philadelphia Museum of Art The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Collection Online Unsplash WallpapersWide WikiArt: Visual Art Encyclopedia Individual Artists Cerezo Barredo Tanja Butler Mary Button Laura James James B. Janknegt Rafael Lopez Nicholas Markell Libuse Lukas Miller Stushie

15 A S S O C I A T I O N O F LUTHERAN CHURCH M U S I C I A N S BIENNIAL CONFERENCE 15 Further Reading and Study Bringhurst, Robert. The Elements of Typographic Style, Fourth Edition. Seattle: Hartley and Marks, Dawn, Marva J. Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down: A Theology of Worship for This Urgent Time. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, DeBoer, Lisa J. Visual Arts in the Worshiping Church. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, Fothergill, Chad. All our Treasures: A Musician s Care for the Visual Arts. Prelude Music Planner Blog, May Jensen, Robin M. The Substance of Things Seen: Art, Faith, and the Christian Community. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, Kantor, Daniel. Graphic Design and Religion: A Call for Renewal. Chicago: GIA Publications, Ozment, Steven. The Serpent and the Lamb: Cranach, Luther, and the Making of the Reformation. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, Pettegree, Andrew. Brand Luther: 1517, Printing, and the Making of the Reformation. New York: Penguin, Potter, John. Reformation 500: 50 Reformation Artworks. Living Lutheran, 17 April In Your Congregation 1. Think for a few moments about the publications generated for and used by your congregation on a weekly or monthly basis. What are some of the strengths of these publications? What works well? 2. In what way(s) could they be improved? 3. Name three ways in which your regular Sunday bulletin could become clearer or more hospitable. How might you go about constructively making those changes within the next few months? 4. Who in your congregation might be able to coordinate or contribute to a photo ministry?

16 16 RISE, REMEMBER W E L L T H E FUTURE 5. How does your congregation use visual art? 6. What are some pieces of art that you find moving? Why? How to they contribute to your own faith? 7. What are some models of good design that which is clear, hospitable, and beautiful that you know of in your church? How do they invite viewers to encounter the holy? 8. Bring a copy of a Sunday bulletin to a family member, friend, or colleague who does not attend church. Do they find it easy to read or follow? What abbreviations, symbols, or other instructions do they have questions about? Ask what other words they might use to describe the bulletin s ability to guide or invite. 9. What other questions should guide discussions of print and digital publications in your congregation? 10. Who can help do this work? How can you as a musician support publications in your community? Author? Editor? Proofreader?