Send Us Your Photos

The iconic Madonna and Child image has been reimagined time and again because it captures both the sacred relationship between Mary and Jesus, as well as reflects a human experience many can relate to and/or long for; the love between a parent and child. It is a pose that invites the viewer to reflect upon the parental love of God by modeling it through those who gave birth to, and enacted, God's redemption in the world.

This image/pose is recreated intentionally and unintentionally everyday, in our own homes and around the world. This advent season, we invite you to keep your eyes peeled for images that echo the Madonna and Child, and submit those photos to the church office so we can post them on a bulletin board for all to gaze upon. Perhaps this is a photo from your own photo albums, from the newspaper, or from your neighborhood. Where do you see God's parental love for us echoed in the world around you? Bring in a physical photo for us to copy or email them to Lauren (multimedia@fumcoly.org).

We acknowledge that for some people, images of a mother and child can be painful. Some of us have suffered the loss of a child or endured infertility. For others, we might have a troubled relationship with our mother/parents. Throughout the Biblical narrative there are stories that reflect these same sorrows. The stories of Hannah, Leah, Naomi, and others tell of heartbreak experienced because of infertility or the death of a child.. Other stories such as the story of Jacob and Esseau or Joseph and his brothers depict family tensions between parents and children. If participation in this activity is too painful, please opt out. Reach out for pastoral care. We are here for you. We also invite you, if you are able, to imagine yourself held in God’s loving arms, nurtured and cared for in the midst of your pain.