Arriving at Station XIII - Michael Takeo Magruder

Arriving at Station XIII is a short series of videos exploring the development of a newly commissioned artwork for the Stations of the Cross project, running from February 10 to March 28 in 14 locations around London, from museums to cathedrals.

The videos follow the progress of the artist Michael Takeo Magruder as he conceives, develops and finally presents his installation at St Stephen Walbrook. In the first video, Context, Michael discusses being approached to take part in the project, themes he regularly explores within his work, and the inspiration for his contribution. In the second video, Research, Michael discusses his ideas for the artwork and talks about gathering data for the installation's different components. In this third video, Production, Michael outlines the design of the artwork’s technical infrastructure and shows a completed section of the modular installation.

Further videos will follow, including one based on the installation of the artwork today at St Stephen Walbrook. For more information about the exhibition, including podcasts and associated events, visit: coexisthouse.org.uk/stations2016.html. The Bishop of Stepney, the Rt Revd Adrian Newman, says that the Stations “navigate a journey” that was still relevant to “dispossessed communities, fleeing refugees, displaced identities, and all who suffer injustice and oppression”.

These videos are made by Emma Puente who in her own work, likes "to examine the poetry in the commonplace, the beauty that goes unnoticed, and the 'what if?'"

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Michael Takeo Magruder - Apocalypse Now?

Nuancing notions of church growth

Adrian Newman, the Bishop of Stepney, has written an excellent article in the Church Times explaining why a 'good Vicar' (whatever that means!) does not necessarily equal church growth (whatever that means!):

"I find that the "standard" growth formula of expanding suburban churches rarely works in deprived parishes, where confident and able lay leadership is scarce, upward mobility robs churches of asset bases, and the dysfunctionality of everyday living means that congregations contain a disproportionate number of needy individuals. There are numerous well-researched inhibitors to growth in the inner city - even in the most vibrant churches, and even with the best clergy."

"... when we talk about a growing Church: it is only partially about the numbers. Growth cannot be an end in itself."

"... in an increasingly fragmented and tribal world, perhaps God is calling his Church to create and become communities of difference. If we are to be icons of hope, perhaps diversity is the key, a kaleidoscopic community struggling with harmony."

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Lifehouse - Nobody Listen.