SUM is ‘Drawing the Circle Wide” at the Bushnell Performing Arts Center
In May and June of this year, SUM participated in a collaborative art exhibit titled Resilience at the Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford Jewish Community Center. Based on the song, "Draw the Circle Wide," SUM parishioners of all ages “made their marks” in paint on a canvas to help us draw the circle wide. The artist's statement is:
Over the past several years, Simsbury United Methodist Church has faced several challenges that tested the resilience of our congregation. COVID intensified the decline in church attendance nationwide, and the United Methodist denomination split over the issue of full inclusion of our LGBTQIA brothers and sisters. However, at SUM, we came together unified under a vision to welcome everyone, no matter who they are, whom they love, where they are from, how they identify, or whether they question or seek. We strove to heal ourselves by continuing to reach beyond our borders to help people in need, strengthening our interfaith relationships, and supporting many other social justice issues.
Collaged on the canvas, the song, “Draw the Circle Wide” by Gordon Light, music by Mark Miller, is the inspiration for our artwork. Subsequent layers of paint, added and scraped back to expose some of the words to the song, represent our congregations’ resilience and commitment to come together during times of controversy & division to heal ourselves and others. Placing God in the center of the circle reminds us that God is the center of all life, our foundation for strength, peace, love, wisdom, and joy. Parishioners of all ages painted the canvas and wove fabric, creating perfectly imperfect circles. The ever-widening ripples are metaphors for inclusiveness and community. Hearts, created by our young people, emanate from the circle, spreading love throughout our congregation, our community, and our world.
We are excited to share that the SUM community painting, "Draw the Circle Wide," has been moved to an exhibit at the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts through December. The paintings in the exhibit are a compelling collection that celebrates the stories of diverse people, organizations, and ideas as related to a shared theme of resilience, and we are thrilled to have our painting included in the exhibition at the Bushnell.
Thank you to everyone who helped create this beautiful piece of art, and a special thanks to Jan Baker for donating fabric to the project. Thank you also to Lori Catlin Garcia and Cheryl Langin for their help with the painting's design. In 2026, the painting will find a permanent home at SUM.
Lori Racicot-Burrous