.png){kind=small}
Make Art
Expressing Faith Through Creative Gifts: Where Art Meets Discipleship
Created & Creative: Works by Our Church Family
"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them." - Romans 12:6
We believe creativity is a reflection of our Creator.
First & Calvary Presbyterian Church is launching Created & Creative: Works by Our Church Family, an initiative to celebrate and showcase the diverse creative gifts within our church community. This collection will serve both as a platform for our artists and as an introduction to the artistic heart of our congregation for visitors and the wider Springfield community.
Our Vision
As a church that deeply values the beauty of the arts, we recognize that our congregation includes writers, musicians, visual artists, photographers, craftspeople, and creators across numerous disciplines. Created & Creative represents our commitment to honoring these gifts and demonstrating how creativity serves both the beauty of the church and the common good of our community.
All Ages Welcome
Kids, teens, adults - we want to celebrate creativity across our entire church family! Whether you're 5 or 85, if you've made something you're proud of, we'd love to include it.
How to Participate
This is about celebrating work you've already made! Whether it's a painting from five years ago, a song you wrote in college, a recent short story or poem, or a craft project gathering dust — if you made it and you're proud of it, we want to include it. Creating something new is welcome too, but absolutely not required. We are seeking original works in all artistic mediums from members of our church family:
Visual Arts: Paintings, drawings, photography, sculptures, digital art, mixed media, crafts
Musical Works: Original compositions, instrumental pieces, recordings, arrangements
Literary Arts: Poetry, short stories, personal narratives, creative non-fiction
Other Creative Expressions: Any artistic medium that reflects your creative voice
Submission Guidelines
Scope: We welcome the full breadth of creative expression. Works need not be explicitly religious in nature—we seek authentic artistic voices that reflect the diverse ways God has gifted our community. We ask that all contributions be family-friendly and faith-affirming in their overall spirit.
Format: Submissions may include existing work or new creations. Contributors should include a brief artist statement including its title, medium, inspiration, or creative process.
Participation Details
Submission Deadline: Friday, October 3rd, 2025
Submission Methods:
-
Email attachments to t.heckman@firstandcalvary.org
-
Google Drive Links
-
Audio files (mp3 format)
-
Physical works delivered directly to the church office
Artist Support: We are committed to providing a meaningful platform for contributors and will work with each artist to ensure their work is presented with care and appropriate context.
Impact and Purpose
Created & Creative fulfills multiple purposes within our church mission. It provides recognition and platform for the creative gifts God has entrusted to our community, offers visitors meaningful insight into First & Calvary, and demonstrates our belief that artistic expression serves both personal discipleship and community flourshing.
The collection will be shared in late 2025 with our congregation and made available to visitors throughout 2026. We hope to renew this call each year to keep it fresh and give new voices the chance to participate.
Questions and Support
For questions about submission guidelines, artistic vision, or to discuss potential contributions, please contact:
Tyler Heckman, Director of Worship and Music
Additional Resources:
-
Current Sermon Series (for those seeking inspiration)
First & Calvary Presbyterian Church has celebrated creativity and the arts as central to our identity since our founding. Created & Creative: Works by Our Church Family represents our continued commitment to honoring the diverse ways God gifts our community and sharing that beauty with Springfield and beyond.