The study of religion is fascinating because it is inherently the study of all the social sciences. But it is the many living, breathing faith traditions that show us the beauty of belief and our shared commonalities in life. These vibrant faith traditions help us to understand the relationship between human life and the natural world. Art, be it a visual medium, music, dance or the spoken word, helps us to communicate that understanding to others.
Delinda Chapman, vice president of programs with the Liturgical Arts Festival of Springfield, says, "The purpose of the festival is to bring together as many different religions as we can to share different perspectives on creation so that more people have a better understanding about each other."
The theme of this year's festival, "Creation: Revelation of the Divine," is a call for us to learn about other faith traditions, understand our responsibility to be stewards of our planet and inspire us to continue to advocate for it. It is also a celebration of the creative process which is itself a divine act of revelation.
The Liturgical Arts Festival of Springfield was founded in 1995 and supports "interfaith connections across the spectrum of faith through mutual appreciation of artistic expression." The first festival was held in 1996 and included an art exhibition, an award-winning documentary and programs featuring education and performing arts.
Each festival of the biennial event was held in May until 2020 at which time the COVID-19 pandemic made public events difficult. That year, a mini-festival was held in September. It featured the "Sacred and Liturgical Art" exhibition, which was open for viewing at the Springfield Art Association, and a concert at the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon in Washington Park.
The event is now back to its May schedule and is once again offering "inspiration, education and appreciation" of the many forms of spiritual expression.
"Sacred and Liturgical Art"
Opening reception Saturday, May 4, 4-6 p.m.
Exhibition continues through May 31
Springfield Art Association
700 N. Fourth St.
The festival opens with the national juried exhibition, "Sacred and Liturgical Art," hosted by the Springfield Art Association. It is an exhibition that describes all the ways people connect with the divine through creativity and beauty in the visual arts. The original works in all spiritual interpretations, approaches and media were welcomed from artists from throughout the U.S., fulfilling the goal of the exhibition to support diversity, promote understanding and foster tolerance by exploring spiritual and religious themes related to the ways different people connect with the divine and our connection with the natural world.
"Missa Gaia/Earth Mass"
Saturday, May 4
2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
First Christian Church
700 S. Sixth St.
The music of Missa Gaia/Earth Mass, an album released in 1982, is a melding of world-music traditions and sounds of the natural world. Selections from the collection will be performed by a large community choir, led by the Rev. Michael Riggs, and a music ensemble featuring soprano saxophonist Blake Aaron Market. This ecological exploration concert celebrates Earth by "featuring lyrical melodies, dynamic rhythms from Africa, Brazil and American gospel traditions, incorporating traditional Latin and biblical texts, and interweaving the voices of wolf, whale and harp seals."
Dan Frachey, a member of the Greater Springfield Interfaith Association, says the bright and vibrant rhythmic sounds are intended to draw in and engage the audience, and the memories of which are meant to be "a call to a renewed commitment to act on behalf of our environment – to continue the work" long after the concert has ended. Afterward, audience members will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from Sierra Club Sangamon Valley Group and Faith in Place.
"Earth Prayer"
Sunday, May 5, 3 p.m.
Rochester Community Park
90 Wild Rose Lane
Madonna Jones, LAFS board member and music director at St. Francis Cabrini Church, will lead "Earth Prayers" at Rochester Community Park. The program is described as "an interfaith prayer of the arts in solidarity with the Earth." Jones says "Earth Prayers" is comprised of local worship groups, adding, "The spiritual wisdom of the many faith traditions will come together with our common concerns about our common home – Earth. It is a time where we share our prayers with profound respect for every faith's form of worship." Jones says many area faith traditions will be represented, along with the five major religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaisim and Islamism.
Recognizing the sacred balance created by the complex connections of all of Earth's living entities, the celebration will include music, singing and dancing, as well as readings from the sacred texts of different faith traditions. A participant will read part of the biblical book, Genesis, in artistic form; another will do the reading in the Jewish tradition. There will be a Native American flute performance, a Native American reading of a version of Chief Seattle's Letter and African American dancers.
"Every faith has a creation story," said Jones, "and 'Earth Prayers' is a way to express those stories in worship."
The event is planned to take place outdoors at Rochester Community Park, but in case of inclement weather it will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St.
"Antiphon: Verse Responds to Art Responds to Spirit"
Opening reception Monday, May 6, 7 p.m.
Exhibition continues through May 12
Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space
633 E. Adams St.
In traditional Western Christianity, an antiphon is a brief sentence recited or sung before or in response to a canticle or psalm. For the "Antiphon: Verse Responds to Art Responds to Spirit" program and exhibition, the antiphon will be fresh ekphrastic poetry written and recited by members of the Springfield Poets and Writers in response to art created by spiritually inspired artists.
The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space is hosting the program and is also hosting "SPIRITUALITY," an exhibition of artwork by its members.
"Creation Stories: An Interfaith Discussion"
Tuesday, May 7, 6 p.m.
Temple Israel
1140 W. Governor St.
"Creation Stories: An Interfaith Discussion" brings together panelists from several area faith traditions to discuss each tradition's story of origin and the interconnections between the spiritual and natural worlds. In particular, the panel, including leading members of the Springfield Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities, will address "how faith communities can be responsible stewards of our planet Earth and commit to living out their highest aspirations towards this responsibility." Rabbi Arthur Stern will also chant part of the biblical book of Genesis in Hebrew as part of the program.
Tour of art exhibition and children's art workshop
Wednesday, May 8, 4:30-6 p.m.
Springfield Art Association
700 N. Fourth St.
Children from kindergarten through high school are invited to visit the "Sacred and Liturgical Art" exhibit as part of a special showing for young people co-hosted by the Springfield Art Association and Children of Abraham Youth Group, an interfaith group that meets regularly during the school year.
"We split them into two groups based on their ages. They look at the show and talk about the artwork, and then we have a craft they do in response to what they've seen in the gallery," said Betsy Dollar, executive director of the SAA.
"Evolving: A Contemporary Interfaith Creation Celebration"
Wednesday, May 8, 7 p.m.
Laurel United Methodist Church
631 South Grand Ave. W.
Music groups from Laurel United Methodist Church and Christ the King Catholic Church, along with soloist Diane Dietz and performers from other local faith traditions will present "Evolving: A Contemporary Interfaith Creation Celebration." The organizers of this event aspire to draw in a new audience to the festival and introduce them to the diversity of faith traditions found in our local community.
"A Program of Hymns and Spirituals"
Thursday, May 9, 7 p.m.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
524 E. Lawrence Ave.
The program "Revelation of the Divine Through the Creation of Music: A Program of Hymns and Spirituals" will feature baritone Justin Johnson, accompanied by Mark Gifford. The Springfield Choral Society has recently introduced Johnson as a soloist and he has also performed during the First Friday concert series at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, which is hosting this program. Gifford is the director of music and the organist at Cathedral and is also half of the Dual Piano duo that performs throughout the state.
"The Opening Out: Songs of Creation"
Saturday, May 11, 7:30 p.m.
Central Baptist Church
501 S. Fourth St.
At the final festival program, three small ensembles of the Springfield Choral Society, directed by Jacobsen Woollen, will perform at Central Baptist Church. Woollen is associate conductor of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, conductor of the Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestra, director of the Springfield Choral Society and director of the UIS Orchestra. He is also a talented cellist and tenor.
Many of the festival programs will also include a post-event reception where attendees will have opportunities to speak with performers, speakers and panelists. As Jones points out, "If you want to understand a religion, you have to get to know the people."
All of the programs are free and are open to everyone of any faith tradition and those with none.
