The Challenge:
Create a fish prayer object.
Or, create a shoal!
Use your talents and whatever creative resources you have available in your home to make your fish!
You could make a fish by:
* Knitting (pattern included with this challenge!)
* Crocheting (pattern included with this challenge!)
* Painting it on a stone
* Paper Mache
* Lego
* Iron-on beads
* Clay
* Or any other creative means you can think of!
Why a fish prayer object?
The fish has long been a symbol of Christian identity, hope and salvation.
At times like these, perhaps it is good to hold on to our Christian identity, hope and salvation! Literally! With the fish we create, we can hold them in our hands and we can hold what they represent symbolically in our hearts and minds.
Why do this?
The fish could be an object for prayer during this time.
They could also be gifts for others; whether they can be gifted now, if there are others in your household, or later, when the time is 'right' (according to government health and safety instructions and advice).
If you plan to gift your fish, consider what story your fish might tell its new owner!
Your fish could be a tool for evangelism. Consider the fishy stories in the Bible, like The Miraculous Catch of Fish (Luke 5:1-11) and the Feeding of the Five Thousand (Matthew 14: 13-21).
Your church, circuit or district might, at a later date (when the time is 'right'), request to gather in all the fish created, to be presented as a whole, to a wider audience. To reflect our prayers and hopes, while we were all being 'alone together' at this time; united in our identity, hope and salvation.
The fish may then be requested to be offered as gifts for the local community – to be used in a similar way as, for example, knitted angels at Christmas time.
You could document your fish making, and or the prayers that you've said in this time. You could record these in a notebook, in photographs, or if you're online, you could share them with your online communities via your social media platforms. If you share them online, it'd be great if you could include the hashtag #fishingforhope2020 so your content can be easily searched for and found.
Please see the attached printable version of this challenge, including simplified knitting and crochet patterns. This challenge could be completed indivudally or in a group -- it is intended for all ages!
***If you decide to post this challenge to members of your community, please consider writing on the envelope something like 'remember to wash your hands after handling your mail', or consult the Royal Mail websites to keep updated on their advice.***
