Tuesday, July 15, 2008

ABC Wednesday - Z


Most Tuesday evenings I try to get along to Zac's Place for what's called a tribal gathering (a Bible study/coffee and cake meeting for friends). Zac's Place is also called Church for Ragamuffins, and on a Tuesday you'll find bikers, addicts, rough sleepers, alcoholics, ex-cons, along with a variety of other ragamuffins who all have their own reasons for being there. Some have found traditional church to be off-putting or unwelcoming; I went originally to offer support but receive far more than I could ever give.
The stained glass in the photo is above the main door. When Sean, who runs Zac's, commissioned it, he specifically asked the artist to use up all the left-over, broken, rejected, good-for-nothing bits of glass that were lying around the studio. And see what a beautiful picture they make when brought together.
To take part in ABC Wednesday, visit mrs nesbitts place.
xxx

35 comments:

Leslie: said...

Oh Liz! This is so beautiful and poignant. Thanks for sharing it and its meaning! :D

Gee, am I first?

Kjersti said...

Beautiful Z-choice!

Anonymous said...

Very pretty.

Anonymous said...

Thats lovey - photo and post :0)

Katney said...

What a wonderful Z!

Jane Hards Photography said...

This was such a personal choice. Thanks for letting us in on your world you obviously feel so passionate about.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I think it's great that all of us broken people can come together with the healing and love that God provides.

Puss-in-Boots said...

That stained glass window is beautiful and I think is most appropriate. Broken, rejected glass made a beautiful window for broken rejected people, who are beautiful inside.

EG CameraGirl said...

That's made from leftover glass? Amazing! Art that reflects what Zaks is trying to do, make something lovely out of a group of ragamuffins.

Unknown said...

That's a beautiful glass window - made from scrap and waste material - making good use of that which would ordinarily be thrown away, rather like the people they help - brilliantly symbolic.

Good work.

Gary
Bodge's Bulletin

Juliana said...

great z pic

Mine in here At My Imaginary. Thanks

Anonymous said...

nice...

Visit me in here Thanks

BEAST said...

Liz , I love stained glass , and that is beautiful and vibrant :-)

CaBaCuRl said...

Thoughtful post for Z, & the window is breathtaking!

Anonymous said...

Is the Crypt still open for similar gatherings - just opposite the Valerio's ice cream parlour near the Civic Centre ?
Good to have 'Z' to hand, so to speak.

Liz Hinds said...

aileni, no. It's an Indian restaurant now! Miah's. Very posh.

Dragonstar said...

What a beautiful work of art, and so very symbolic. Lovely post Liz.

Gordon said...

A beautiful stained glass window; and very fitting for the location. Nice post.

Wolfie said...

This very much reminds me of the mysterious Chapel we found at Mummelsee Lake.

Rose said...

I'd forgotten it was Wednesday! You have the perfect choice for "Z". Thanks for explaining more about Zac's Place; it's wonderful that there are places like this.
Hope your cough is better; could be pneumonia or throat cancer or...I'm kidding, I'm kidding!! Probably allergies.

Richard Havers said...

It's beautiful

Miss_Yves said...

Thanks for sharing!As a french woman, I really discover american way of life !
AmaZing !
Stained glasses windows come from recycling...and they are beautiful !
I have leant today the words "ragamuffin" and "con"...(a different meaning in french !!!!)
These people are also recycling their lifes ...
Miss Yves

Miss_Yves said...

Sorry "learnt"
miss Yves

Rosebud said...

Lovely stained glass window. Sounds like a lovely group of people too. Interesting "church" concept. Hum?

Suburbia said...

That's beautiful :)

CherryPie said...

That is so beautiful and what a lovely idea for the window!

Barbara said...

What a great idea for the stained glass window, very good Z post.

Bear Naked said...

How beautiful.
Just shows that even broken pieces can be made into something useful.
Thank you for this post and photo.

Bear((( )))

mrsnesbitt said...

LOL...........so Jon and I will be right at home! Get the kettle on Liz!

Granny Smith said...

I almost cried over this. It brought back so many memories of the similar so-called "Free Church" which took up so many years of my life. The symbolism of the discarded glass put into that beautiful stained-glass window is irresistible.

Susan said...

I loved your post and I think that the same idea works with the broken or people that don't have it all put together. When you blend us all together no matter the problem,issue, defect we all work and look beautiful~just like that stained glass.

James Higham said...

Tribes can be supportive and tribes can tear apart. Yours is the former, I see, Liz.

jams o donnell said...

That's a beautiful piece of stained glass. I love the idea of the ragamuffin church.

ChickPea said...

Christ Himself would feel most welcome here, too, by the sounds of it..... Real people, Real Relationships - you cannae beat it.

stillers said...

Well Liz - what a reaction - me thinks I'll print this out for the window artist to see!