Making Crosses: A Creative Connection to God (Active Prayer Series) [Paperback]

Ellen Morris Prewitt (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 1, 2009 | Series: Active Prayer Series

Making Crosses introduces a new spiritual practice for those who want to experience God beyond day-to-day prayers. More than analytical thinking, the practice of making crosses offers a way of prayer where understanding comes from doing.

This new prayer form can take as little or as much time as you have or want to commit. You bring your own creativity to bear and make a representation of the cross of Christ. Each cross is unique, but they all share some deep truths, and Ellen Prewitt invites all to explore the ways in which making crosses can deepen a life lived for Christ. As she explains:

“I’ve found that anyone can make a cross, and by making crosses we are better able to understand what God needs for us to understand about ourselves, our church, or whatever may be working in our lives. To make a cross is to pray in a new way, but it’s not as simple as old-fashioned petitionary prayer; making crosses is a way for God to pray through you.”

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ellen Morris Prewitt is an award-winning writer who turned to making crosses after the tragedy of 9/11. Her writings have appeared in Image, River Teeth, The Rambler, and elsewhere. She was the Peter Taylor Fellow in nonfiction at Kenyon College’s Summer Writing Program and her commentaries aired on the local NPR affiliate for many years. She lives in Memphis, Tennessee where, in addition to making crosses, she facilitates a writing group of men and women who live on the streets.

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Paraclete Press; Original edition (February 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557256284
• ISBN-13: 978-1557256287
• Product Dimensions: 0.4 x 6.6 x 8.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #934,354 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ellen Morris Prewitt was pursing a writing career when the country was rocked by the attack of September 11th. To deal with her grief, she began making crosses from broken and found objects as a way to stay grounded in physical prayer. "Making Crosses: A Creative Connection to God" (Paraclete Press) resulted from that physical prayer practice. She blogs about the experience of making crosses on makingcrosses.com and offers workshops in the practice of quietly, spiritually making crosses. She lives and worships in Memphis, Tennessee.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Joyful Little Book June 24, 2009

By Emma F. Connolly

Format:Paperback

A charming new book from Paraclete Press, Making Crosses: A Creative Connection to God, by award-winning Memphis writer Ellen Prewitt, can change your perspective on the way you interpret everyday things. This book is a guide for finding and using simple, sometimes discarded, perhaps once-loved, objects and pieces of your life and prayerfully incorporating them into a focal point - a cross. As Prewitt guides the reader into the process, she gently reminds us, "it is not our purpose to make a beautiful cross," but instead the purpose is to lead us into our own theology, how we think about God. When participating in one of her workshops, her statement that when we work on a cross the cross begins to work on us, struck me as absolutely true. After reading her book, I cannot go for a walk that I do not pay closer attention to objects that I pass, or things that may block my path. Items that I may have once thrown away suddenly have new value. Readers are drawn into the beauty of God's creation as we look for items to incorporate into a cross, and I am continually amazed at what God Brings. As Prewitt says, "Trust the one who knows the secrets of our hearts and whose joy it is to give them to us." Ellen Prewitt has certainly brought joy into many lives, and continues to do so, through "Making Crosses".
Making Crosses: A Creative Connection to God (Active Prayer Series)

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a 'how to guide' for making crosses ... December 31, 2010

By MeMa in Michigan

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The title of this book would lead you to believe that there are instructions for making crosses and different kinds of crosses. Indeed, the LOOK INSIDE function took me to a page that seemed to have some promise. However, the focus of this work is not on MAKING CROSSES as a craft that gives you A CREATIVE CONNECTION TO GOD. The focus of the book is A CONNECTION TO GOD by exploring your creativity with general shapes, that could be a cross. It is a lovely book for your spiritual journey. It was not at all what I expected it to be. If you are a crafter who is interested in ideas about creative crosses -- keep looking.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A book leaving a big impression December 13, 2009

By S. Kipper

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This was an impulse buy-one of those you bought this, you might like this suggestions. Am I ever glad that this purchase was made. The book is quiet and humble in it approach, but the impression it leaves is great. It is the right amount of organization, evangelization and artistic know how. It is a good book for a foundation in teaching a class about cross making or using it to explor your personal faith.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Kinesthetic meditation May 9, 2010

By Leona Manke

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

A delightful form of meditation is detailed in Making Crosses. The only problem is having to take time to gather the materials, but the process is worth the wait. A marvelous companion to Praying in Color.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting idea, not a very helpful book June 3, 2010

By M. Fairchild

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The author began making handmade crosses from found materials as a spiritual exercise. So far, so good. While the book describes some general principals and has a number of illustrations of finished crosses, it has few clear directions and lots of white space. I would have preferred some example crosses with detailed directions, and maybe some more reflection on the spiritual process with a bit more depth. I understand that part of the goal of making a handmade cross is to accept the found materials available and work with the creative impulse of the moment as an expression of the Spirit moving within you - but most people need a bit more help getting started than this book gives. As a spiritual leader myself, I may use the book's general idea for adult or youth activities, but I will have to do a lot more work to actually set up a class or workshop to round out the book's advice, which isn't detailed enough to really help me. On the whole, a disappointing book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable reading January 29, 2013

By B. Deakins

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I enjoyed this book and made some crosses. It is a type of meditation which I never had done. I will be making more crosses in the future and will refer to this book.

4.0 out of 5 stars Creativity to God Through Crosses April 14, 2011

By lovetodream

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Cross is our ancient symbol of Christianity. If our life has been broken by some tragedy or illness or even an accident, we can help to mend the broken pieces simply by creating Crosses made out of broken material from many
different materials. An example would be a broken leg from a table or a twisted vine or a piece from a broken wind chime. The possibilities are endless. Through this creative process a new connection can be made to our Creator. We are working directly with God and turning our hearts to Him. He is
there beside us marvelling in the beauty of our creation. Have faith that what you are creating is exactly what you need at this time.