Leonid Afremov (1955-2019) was born in Vitebsk, Belarus, and into the Jewish tradition. He painted with a palette knife or wide brush and is known for his impressionistic land and city scapes that explode in color. He shows us here what he saw on a city night of storm and reflection.

This piece seems a felt statement for our current days and nights filled with both the rain of recent events and the constant path pulling us into a new year. As we live in this tension we have many choices – light or darkness, faith or despair, gratitude or apathy. As we walk the path ahead, may our choices be steeped both in the pain of this world and in the truth of all that is not of this world. Can we imagine the brilliant colors as we walk? Can we keep our focus on God’s good news and the story of his son as we walk? Can we carry each other when needed and accept others’ help when we stumble?  This path seems both gauntlet and pilgrimage. May we walk it as the faithful of thousands of years have, side by side in God’s love. Amen.

In gratitude, faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty  
Minister of Children and Families
Montview Church