One Sunday morning, an intergenerational event had parishioners paint on the pink ceramic tiles; multi-coloured ceramic paints and Q-tips were provided. People were asked to paint something that represented a piece of them. As the event happened, a facilitator hoovered to engage participants in conversation. Participants were asked about what they were drawing, why they had chosen that, and to listen to the stories of other peoples’ tiles. Through the event we learned a lot about each other – the fellowship was great.
In the week following the event, Placemaking Halifax – a group that brings people together in neighbourhoods to work on a co-operative project (like a street mural, community garden, carnival…) asked to use the church hall as their planning event place. The neighbours were invited to the planning event. The church laid out their painted ceramic tiles and invited everyone who attended the Placemaking event to paint one too.
All the tiles were grouped and glued (using concrete adhesive) to the foundation of the church. The tiles are seen by the neighbours when they walk by --- their own art work in their neighbourhood. And church people are constantly reminded that they are people in the world – outside the walls of the church.