Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
God’s Nearness By Rev Richard Russell, Chaplain MAY 2023
Lawrence Presbyterian Manor announces Art is Ageless® winners Lawrence Presbyterian Manor recently hosted a reception for the winning artists in the annual Art is Ageless® juried competition. “We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” said Desi Flerlage, executive director. “Art is Ageless is unique in featuring only the works of artists age 65 and older. Our artists prove that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.” Winners in the Lawrence Presbyterian Manor Art is Ageless juried competition were:
Best of Show professional: Jewell Willhite, “Purple Cabbage”
Best of Show professional: Jewell Willhite, “Purple Cabbage” Best of Show amateur: John Boyer, “Toby Keith” People’s Choice amateur: Donna Russell, “Goose Parade” People’s Choice professional: Barbara Hall, “Iris in Mexican Vase” Judge’s Choice amateur: Donna Russell, “Wolf Pack” Judge’s Choice professional: Jewell Willhite, “Arkansas Autumn” Drawing amateur: Karen Henry, “Poised” Drawing professional: David McCuistion, “Mother and Daughter” Fiber Arts amateur: Ellie Unruh, “Huck Lace Fabrication”
Best of Show amateur: “Toby Keith”, by John Boyer
Mixed Media/Crafts amateur: Lynne Chase, “Spring” Mixed Media/Crafts professional: Marsha Poholsky, “Descent” Needlework amateur: Angela Lowe, “Autumn Harvest” Painting amateur: Fred Mersmann, “Wetlands” Painting professional: Jewell Whillhite, “Purple Cabbage” Photography amateur: Michel Watkins, “Japanese White-eye (Warbler)” Quilting amateur: Marsha Fowler, “Hearts Afire” Sculpture/3-D amateur: Tom Adamson, “Old Man” u People’s Choice amateur: Donna Russell, See the Art is Ageless winners – continued on page 3 “Goose Parade”
As I write this article, I am sitting by my wife’s bed in the local hospice house. She is nearing the end of her battle with cancer. She and I have spoken a lot recently about how God is very near to us. This made me think of a familiar old hymn, “Nearer My God to Thee.” In the first stanza, it says “Nearer my Rev. Russell God to thee, nearer to thee, even though it be a cross, that raiseth me, still all my song shall be, nearer my God to thee, nearer my God thee.” We have certainly had a difficult cross to bear throughout these months. But God’s nearness has been the thing to help us through. He says in His word, as you draw nearer to me, I draw nearer to you. In the second stanza, it says, “If like the wanderer, the sun goes down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone, yet in my dreams I’d be, nearer my God to thee, nearer my God to thee.” In our dark days that we have journeyed through, it has been the tenderness of God’s care and love that has been our support. The psalmist said, “He loves you with everlasting love, and underneath are His everlasting arms.” We truly have sensed Him holding us in His love. The third stanza says, “There let
Chaplain – continued on page 2
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