Appearences and Guest Speaking
Welcome to my Guest Appearences part of my website. This page consists of events I have participated in with my artwork. Some of these events I was requested to speak at as well as show my work. It is a delite for me not only to show my work, but to be a blessing wherever I go. I am not only an artist but also a Pastor of a church in Manistee, MIchigan and an Ordained Minister with the Assemblies of God. I believe that God has invested in me the talents and creative ability not only in the ability to create works of art, but to paint pictures with words that penetrate the heart and challenge people to look at their lives and to find greater purpose and direction for their lives by giving their hearts to God, Who is the Master Carver and Shaper of our lives. I have always looked at my personal relationship with Jesus Christ as the center of all that I do and try to accomplish with my life. The ability to touch people's lives is a gift of God that I will not take for granted and desire to share with every person I come in contact with. I hope that the art that you see on these pages, along with the content that you view and read will enable you to realize that the passion that drives me to do this type of art, comes from the passion I have to love and serve God. I am always open to share my faith, to pray for those who need it and to share a word of hope. Please feel free to contact me, not only for this artwork, for guest appearences or guest speaking, but if you have a personal need that you want someone to come along side of you with... in prayer. Please enjoy the following articles. Parts of this page will be under construction as I will continue to update it's contents.
Great Lakes Mariners Memorial Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, White Fish Point, Michigan November 10, 2008
On November 10, 2008 the 33rd Annual Great Lakes Mariners Memorial and Bell Ringing Ceremony of the Edmund Fitzgerald's Bell was held at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, at White Fish Point, Michigan, where the "Original" bell from the pilot house of the Edmund Fitzgerald is permanently on display. This ceremony is a memorial to the crews of the over 6000 known shipswrecks on the Great Lakes. It was an honor for me not only to show the Edmund Fitzgerald carvings in the museum, but I was also asked to bring the Invocation for this ceremony and participate as a "Bell Ringer." My greatest thanks to Tom Farnquist, James Spurr and all of the crew and volunteers of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society for the invitation to participate. It was a beautiful evening and people were moved by the ceremony. I have been requested by many of the surviving family members of the crews of the S. S. Bradley which was lost in 1958, the S. S. Daniel J. Morrell lost in 1965 and the Edmund Fitzgerald lost in 1975, to post the words I shared during this Invocation. The following manuscript is what I shared that evening.
GREAT LAKES MARINERS MEMORIAL
Edmund Fitzgerald Bell Ringing Ceremony
November 10, 2008
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Launching of the Edmund Fitzgerald. We have come here this evening to pay tribute and to remember, not only those who sailed on that great ship, but to honor, and remember those who built, sailed, captained, and crewed the thousands of ships large and small that have sailed these Great Lakes as well as those who dedicated their lives to the Life Saving efforts of those in the United States Life Saving Service, the United States Coast Guard and the many civilians that put their lives in harms way to save the life of another.
For there are thousand upon thousands of lives that will be truly represented here tonight and each one of them has a story. When a ship is lost to these Great Waters, it is not just about one ship and one crew, but it involves many who are left behind and each of them have a story as well. And some how, we are all connected to these many stories. We drive the cars that came from the ore that these ships carried, live in homes that were built with the bricks and lumber they shipped, driven on roads that were provided by their cement and gravel, and the list goes on! Some how we are all connected.
I know that Gordon Lightfoot is very dear to many of you as his song “The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” has brought significant attention to
Tonight, I have the answer to that perplexing question. His LOVE never left, it has been there all the time! And it is here tonight to heal, to comfort, to draw you near to Him, and to fill you with His presence if you will allow Him to.
The two carvings that I created to dedicate to this ship were carved to encompass the many who were involved over the last 50 years of the history of this ship. The first of the two titled; “Fare Thee Well” depicts the Mighty Fitz as she passes The
That Scripture is often quoted when a ship is launched, for everyone knows when you put a ship on the water, whether it is as small as a canoe or a thousand footer there is always the chance it will be lost.
For the past 33 years, this ship has become the “Icon” of the over 6000 ships that have been lost on the
The second of the two carvings is entitled, “FAREWELL.” Often times when a ship is lost no one witnesses what happened or what actually took place and those who have survived are left with the questions of HOW… WHY… and memories of a loved one now gone. And the love of God is there… and the Love of God is here.
There was a small ship on the sea of Galilee in the middle of the night, in the midst of a storm and the lives of those on her were in peril. They called out to Jesus who was in their ship and He calmed the storm… He saved them. The Bible tells us that… 13For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” I cannot help but think in those moments when one finds their life in Greatest Distress, that God would not give them the opportunity to “Call upon the Name of the Lord.” His Love is there… and His Love is HERE!
On the carving entitled, “FAREWELL” I engraved on the back a verse out of the New Testament in hopes to bring comfort and closure not as much to the many stories of the many lives who have been lost to these Great Lakes… but to those who have been left behind… wondering… “Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours…?” His Love was there… and His Love is HERE. And for those who were given that great opportunity to Call Upon the Name of the Lord… If they were able to speak to us here tonight… I believe in my heart they would say… something very close to what is engraved on “FAREWELL”
Grace be with you all. Amen.
His Love was there… and His Love is Here Tonight… And now I call upon the name of the Lord… SAVE US! Amen… and Amen!
Rev. Patrick B. Pointer, Northern Michigan Artist
After 33rd Annual Great Lakes Mariners Memorial
Posing wit the Original Bell from the
S. S. Edmund Fitzgerald