Art Together is a Ministry of Community Church of Barrington

 

Our Mission, Our Ministry
 

“Community Church is a fellowship of caring, compassionate Christians,
committed to growing spiritually and serving God by extending our hearts
and hands to the community and beyond.”

The CCB Art Together program is our church’s major extension into the larger
Barrington area community. As such, it is not simply a place, a business, that
provides art classes. It is a ministry built on a proud history of proffering welcome,
love and grace to all.

 

Art instruction is a powerful vehicle for touching everyone from the inside out. As
originally intended and offered today, the program is particularly well suited for
children and adults alike who have a strong need to feel that they are seen,
loved, accepted, and celebrated for simply being themselves.

As the body of Christ, the people of CCB live to serve those who need us the
most. The Art Together program is a strong and clear incarnation of our mission
and our Christian identity.

 

Our Program

 

In 2020, Art Together was approved to be a ministry of our church. Generally
speaking, the definition of Christian ministry is an initiative or program aimed at
expressing faith, spreading the gospel, or providing unconditional support to
others, whether they are believers or unbelievers, through formal church
structures or independent initiatives.

Art Together instruction is centered on the unique interests, abilities and needs of
students of all ages. Some classes are step-by-step, where an instructor guides
the whole class in one lesson from beginning to end. Some are open studios,
where everyone is working on their own project with the expertise of an instructor
at the ready and available. Others are a hybrid of the two styles, with part of the
group working independently while others follow a guided lesson. All classes
encourage pleasant, on topic, conversation during the creative process.

Art Together students are invited to try new things and share their insights with
each other as their creativity and confidence grows. Whether new to art or a life-
long artist, these classes offer a comfortable and nurturing space for every

student to discover the joy of being able to make something interesting and
beautiful. The instructor is always there to make sure students feel safe in being
and expressing themselves. They quickly learn they can overcome challenging
situations with grace, finesse, and a little help from their friends.  

Additionally, Art Together serves as an open door to the Community Church of
Barrington. Students and their families enter and experience the welcoming,
caring, and compassionate qualities of CCB that stem from its mission. Beyond
their classes, they are invited and encouraged to participate in CCB fellowship
opportunities including Monday Fundays, Teen Tuesdays, special holidays, and
art themed Sundays, as well as the annual “Anniversary Art Show” where
participants proudly display their works to the congregation and community.

Consistent with the church’s mission, Art Together is a caring, compassionate
Christian example, engaging the community by offering a space where people
can feel safe, supported and creative. One of our beloved members, Lauren
Davis, puts it like this: “I love painting at art class. Art class is one place I feel I
can be myself. I am grateful for Community Church of Barrington!”