Family Faith Formation

Mosaic Poster Tiles: Coloring Posters You Can Print at Home

Today we launched a new poster format for three of our Easter coloring posters: Mosaic Poster Tiles.

While we live and do ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve had to rethink everything. What does school look like? How do we lead worship from our homes over video-conferencing apps? Should I go to the grocery store, order my groceries, or just eat my pantry to the end?

This is why we started to create and offer free, faith formation weekly resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can sign up to receive these here.

The team at Illustrated Ministry has been having many of these same conversations over the past couple of weeks. Many of our customers love using our large coloring posters during Lent, and now that we are all physical distancing, it’s impossible (and unsafe!) to gather intergenerationally, color a poster together, and enjoy community, conversation, and coloring.

We’ve mentioned our Facebook Group before because it is a growing community of our customers and friends. But don’t think it’s just a place where we promote and sell our stuff. Our community posts photos, shares ideas for how they are using our products, and cares for each other! We recently ran across this post in our group, and it got us thinking:

Illustrated Ministry Community Group

Some of our best product ideas have come from our Facebook Group (including our bestselling Illustrated Nativity Sticker Sheets). We know people across the world are following shelter-in-place/stay-at-home orders/recommendations, and we immediately realized this could be a fantastic gift to offer to our community.

So…after a few days and almost a ream of paper (that we repurposed and recycled, of course), we are now able to offer this new poster format for three of our Easter coloring posters.

Mosaic Poster Tiles: Now what…?

Christ Is Risen Coloring Poster — *The photos in this blog post are included for instructional purposes only and do not reflect the actual sizes offered in the products themselves.*

So what does this mean for you, your family, or the community you serve? Essentially, anyone with a home or basic office printer can create a giant coloring poster to use at home. Or you could send out individual PDF “tiles” to members of your church, youth group, or campus ministry. People could individually color them, and then when we all come back and worship together, they can bring their colored tiles, and you can create a giant, beautiful mosaic.

What better way to represent the wholeness and togetherness of the church? When we all eventually come back together after being apart during COVID-19, we are reminded that we were truly never separated.

Details, details, details…

Illustrated Ministry serves an international audience, and given the complex nature of creating these Mosaic Poster Tiles, we wanted to make sure it would be an enjoyable experience for all. For that reason, we have created two versions of the Mosaic Poster Tiles: one formatted to print on US Letter (8.5×11) paper and another that is formatted for A4 paper. We’re hoping that helps our international friends have successful poster-creating experiences.

We’ve also created the Mosaic Poster Tiles in two sizes:

Family Size: This size is perfect to send home to families so they can create a small coloring poster that they can color and put together at home. The family size option requires around 4-6 sheets of paper.
Group Size: If you’re looking for a more significant project for a larger group, the group size is the perfect option. Maybe you want to send it out to a large group in your congregation, or you have a lot of homebound folkx (aside from all who are currently physically distancing due to COVID-19) who would love to participate in a communal art project. The group size option requires around 32-50 sheets of paper.

So, how exactly do I do this?

We tried to make this a relatively simple project that anyone could do at home. That said, there is a disclaimer we should share:

If you are a perfectionist, proceed with caution. We tried many different methods for making these poster tiles, and we believe we ended up with the best possible option. While you’re assembling the “puzzle pieces,” you should keep in mind you are creating a beautiful, collaborative piece of communal art – not a gallery-ready fine art print. That said – it’s a fun project, and we can’t wait to see photos that you all share online.

Mosaic Poster Tiles Pinterest — *The photos in this blog post are included for instructional purposes only and do not reflect the actual sizes offered in the products themselves.*

Mosaic Poster Tiles Instructions

After you purchase, download, and open the ZIP file, choose whether you will be printing on 8.5×11 (US Letter) or A4 paper. Then select the size of the poster you would like to create (Family or Group size).

Distribution

Email: Use the split tile files to email out to individuals.
Hand out/Mail: Print out the PDF and distribute the individual pages (perhaps not the best or safest method during the COVID-19 pandemic – we would encourage emailing the files).

Printing

When you print, select either “Scale” and set at 96% or “Scale to Fit (Print Entire Image).” Each page contains “crop marks” that guide you as you cut margins off around the image. You can get an idea of how they work by looking at the below image:

Assembly

Cut: When it’s time to assemble, use the crop marks to guide you through cutting off the margins. Please be careful not to cut into the image. This format is designed to meet together when placed side by side, and there is no overlap of images on the paper.

Arrange: Piece together the poster by arranging the images on a large table or floor, as you would a puzzle. Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t line up 100%…this is a fun project, remember?

Alleluia Butterfly Mosaic Poster Tiles — *The photos in this blog post are included for instructional purposes only and do not reflect the actual sizes offered in the products themselves.*

Tape: We recommend focusing on one page at a time as you begin to tape the pieces together. When two pages match and line up to your satisfaction, tape them together. Match the next page, line it up to your satisfaction, and tape them together. Continue until you complete taping all the pages together and make a complete poster.

Create and Share!

One of the joys for us on the Illustrated Ministry team is seeing your tweets, Instagram Stories, Facebook Posts, and MySpace updates (okay, no one is really on MySpace anymore…right?) where you share with us your beautiful creations! We think this new format of Mosaic Poster Tiles are going to allow even more groups to take advantage of our coloring posters, and we can’t wait to see your creativity unleashed!

Be sure and use the hashtag #illustratedministry or tag us in your posts – we’re @illustratedmin on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Mosaic Poster Tiles Examples

We’ve already started seeing some really fun examples of the ways people have used our Mosaic Poster Tiles. Here are some photos of the Alleluia Butterfly that people created over Easter, and below that you can see a video that was put together by Resurrection Covenant Church (Chicago):

Easter Resurrection Mosaic Poster Tile — Easter Resurrection

Order Mosaic Poster Tiles

As of the time of this post, we currently have the Mosaic Poster Tiles format available for the following coloring posters:

Shop for Mosaic Poster Tiles Now!

Uncover the Majesty of the Divine Feminine This Mother’s Day

Alissa Ellett 1 Comment

Celebrate Mother’s Day this year by uncovering the power and majesty of the Feminine Divine with your children.

Perhaps this Mother’s Day you celebrate because you mother lots of children. Or perhaps you aren’t a mother of children, but of ideas. Maybe you don’t have a relationship with your mother or you speak with her every day. Or perhaps your mother is now gone.

No matter where you find yourself fitting or not fitting this Mother’s Day, there may be even more to celebrate than you’ve imagined.

On Mother’s Day, we celebrate God our Mother. God who loves and offers faithfully, who nurtures, advocates for, and believes in us, who stands, speaks, fights, and births so life can prevail.

And on Mother’s Day we celebrate women, those with and without children, who embody Mother God. The women in the fields feeding us, those caring for the living and the dying, those cheering us on, those birthing their inspiration and inviting us to do the same.

We always love hearing from you. Share your thoughts on relating to Mother God this Mother’s Day in the comments below!

Finding God Our Mother in Scripture

Our sacred texts have so much to offer us on Mother’s Day. Look to these scriptures for reflection and prayer! I hope you find joy and appreciation for the feminine within us all as you do.

Mother Eagle – Deuteronomy 32:11-12

God guarded Jacob as an eagle stirs up its nest,
and hovers over its young;
as it spreads its wings, takes them up,
and bears them aloft on its pinions.

Birthing Mother – Isaiah 42:14

For a long time I have held my peace,
I have kept still and restrained myself;
now I will cry out like a woman in labor,
I will gasp and pant.

Comforting Mother – Isaiah 66:13

As a mother comforts her child,
so I will comfort you.

Mother Hen – Luke 13:34

How often have I desired to gather your children together [Jerusalem] as a hen gathers her brood under her wings…!

Ways of Reflecting Upon the Scriptures This Mother’s Day

Paint or Draw

On Mother’s Day, read the scripture repeatedly aloud with your kids. Invite them to look for the words and images that stand out to them as they listen. Perhaps even colors will come to mind. Then, after paying attention to what comes to mind, bring pens or colors to paper and create.

Give your kids ten minutes to draw and color. Then, invite them to share their creations with each other. Close by reading the scripture once more together.

Practice Lectio Divina

On Mother’s Day, read the scripture aloud three times with your kids.

First, read the scripture slowly. Invite your kids to simply listen openly and to gather their focus to the present.

Second, read the scripture and encourage your kids to reflect on what God is giving to them, a word or image in the scripture perhaps.

Third, read the text and invite your kids to respond to God. This can be a time of sharing verbally together, silence, prayer, etc.

Fourth, invite your kids to rest and let go of their thoughts, listening deeply for whatever God brings to them.

Breath Prayer

On Mother’s Day, read together one of the scriptures. Invite your children to choose, as you read, a word or phrase that they will speak in rhythm with their breath when you all pray. For example, from Isaiah 66:13, “I will comfort you.” On the inhale perhaps recite silently “I will” and on the exhale “comfort you.”

Consider bringing the group back together playing music or ringing a bell. Invite them to share with each other what the experience was like. Explain that they can use this kind of prayer with any phrase or scripture.

Blessings in Your Mother’s Day Celebration

I hope these scriptures help you connect to God, to women who do and have mothered you, and to the Sacred Feminine within you this Mother’s Day. And don’t forget to share your thoughts on relating to Mother God in the comments below!

Further Resources for Mother’s Day Reflection

Swallow’s Nest: A Feminine Reading of the Psalms
God Our Mother, a poem by Allison Woodward.
“God Our Mother,” an episode on The Liturgists podcast
A Mother’s Day Prayer, by Rev. Marci Glass
An open letter to pastors {a non-mom speaks on Father’s Day}
Two prayers by Rev. Ashley-Anne Masters: Prayer for Parents & Those Who Want to Be and Prayer for Children of All Ages

6 Colossally Meaningful Ways to Inspire Creation Care this Earth Day

Alissa Ellett Leave a Comment

The Earth is a masterpiece of God’s artistry. Invite your kids into practices of creation care to celebrate this on Earth Day!

Oh, lord, there are times when habitat destruction, pollution, and death can feel like almost too much to take in. So, let me offer you some hope this Earth Day. We are not powerless. Let’s inspire our kids to be a generation that takes creation care seriously and brings about change!

What are you doing with your kids this Earth Day to celebrate God’s beauty and bring healing to creation? Share with us in the comments below!

Using Our Power

Getting honest is important, even and especially when it’s uncomfortable to do so. We need to be real with ourselves about the state of things. It doesn’t help any of us if we avoid and deny.

Our holy texts tell us that “The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.” Yikes! We’ve been on this path for a long time.

But, we have the power to make change happen. We do not have to live as victims, overwhelmed. God is with us, faithful and gives us the strength to protect, restore and create the world in partnership with the relentless Divine Force of Life. So, in turn, we might flourish along with her.

Creation Care with Your Kids

Support struggling animals. There are several animal species currently on their way to extinction. We can come together and help! We are all a part of God’s creation and deserve the best opportunity to flourish. And our lives will be drastically affected. On the other hand, we have the power to make a difference in our future.

Pick up trash. Head to the coast or to the sidewalks. Bring a bag, gloves, and help clear the land of waste. This helps our animal and plant brothers and sisters. Additionally, it increases our health. Lastly, it will make your community more beautiful to live in.

Clear your garage and pantry of pesticides. The fact of the matter is that these harmful chemicals are decimating insect populations. Why does this matter? Pollinators are something we CANNOT live without. So, we need to stop killing them off inadvertently.

Plant native plants. Dig in the dirt with your kids! First, this increases beauty. Second, you will use less water to keep them alive. Third, the insects will benefit from having plants they are designed to ingest and pollinate.

Create your own Act of Green. Earth Day Network is launching a series of major campaigns to bring about global collaboration. Support the effort by creating your own Act of Green — and helping them reach 3 billion. These acts are anything from quitting smoking to using fabric bags.

Switch to non-plastic bags and wraps. Zero waste alternatives include beeswax-infused fabric wrap, stainless steel and glass containers, silicon storage bags, and so many more. Some of these are easy to make at home with your kiddos, too!

Don’t forget to tell us what you’re doing with your kiddos to celebrate Earth Day in the comments below!

Earth Day Prayer

I leave you with a prayer from St. Basil the Great. As you celebrate Earth Day this year may you feel deep connection to the Earth where we find our home and our peace. And may you find joy and purpose in caring for Her.

O God, enlarge within us the sense of
fellowship with all living things,
our brothers/sisters the animals to whom thou
gavest the earth as their home in common with us.
May we realize that they live not for
us alone but for themselves and for
thee, and that they love
the sweetness of life.