30th
Annoucement :: The Word Made Flesh Re-Design Launch~
I can’t believe the day has finally come!
It’s been nearly 14 months since our community, Word Made Flesh, started an image audit process. Over the past year this process has culminated in a new logo, an updated website (it will still take a few more days to upload and transfer all the content from the old site—we’re trying to be patient) and a newly designed layout for our journal, The Cry.
The journey was initiated and led by Daphne and Jara. They’ve both been amazing. I wish there were words to describe how impressed I am with how hard they’ve worked for us all. They’ve led us in a new place of reflective thoughtfulness.
It’s hard for me to decide what I like the most. The new layout of The Cry pops, the new website will have current content frequently updated (and people will be able to comment on articles and blog posts), we’ll even have a webstore where people can buy WMF gear (the t-shirts are super hip), but the logo might be the freshest part of the re-design.
At first, I wasn’t convinced we needed a new logo. I understand that the logo we’ve used since 1991 seemed a little static. There had also been questions over the years about why the darker figures were set in the East while the light ones in the West—it wasn’t intentional and didn’t mean to suggest anything. But even with that, I think it’s still a great logo and it’s served our community’s visual identity well.
Our new logo is simple and tight. It’s inspiring. It invites reflection.
A bird—the offering of the poor. With nine feather tips—representing our Lifestyle Celebrations. Rising—vibrant, redemptive and alive.
It’s nearly iconic.
I wanted to shared some reflections from Phileena on the image,
“Recently during morning prayer with the Omaha staff, we gathered on the red rug; candles lit at the altar; the cross of the San Damiano hanging above; incense burning opposite the Christ. Our new logo—a spray-painted representation of a bird sat before us. Over the course of several months during the past year, the staff at Oxide listened to the story of WMF—our collective story and this image emerged.
Daphne and Jara led us into reflection through music, Scripture, poetry and stories of the seraph and the phoenix. It wasn’t long before several people were inspired and profound thoughts surfaced. I sat in wonder. Who knew that a bird with six wing-tips or nine feathers (depending how you look at it) could render such deep meaning?
A bird—small, seemingly insignificant
A bird—the offering of the poor, Jesus’ family offering (Luke 2:23)
A bird—symbol of promise, symbol of the Holy Spirit
A bird—one who is closest to God in the form of a Seraph
As thoughts formed dreams and dreams turned to prayer it grew apparent that this image, this bird is like an icon—a sacred work of art with layers of meaning. A spirit of humility and awe came over me. Clearly, this icon’s representation and symbolism is something for us to live into. As time unfolds, layer after layer of sacred meaning will reveal ever deepening truth and inspiration.
We are a community, united in a collective call to serve Jesus among the most vulnerable of the world’s poor; the vulnerable ones, like birds, who point us to the heavens and to the Creator of the heavens—to the One who call us ‘My beloved.’
Reflecting on this icon allows each of us to find more truth in who we are individually and collectively. Reflecting on our sacred bird allows us to grow into all that God has called us to be and do. May we receive the grace to unfurl our wings and fly!”
Today is the official launch of our re-design. Starting with Phileena’s reflections, I’m excited to see what our new logo will become for us. I’m hopeful for all the ways it will be fused with symbolism and meaning. I’m excited to explore new ways to reflect on what our offering of life, community and service can be before our God.
