Shining Our Lights

Celebrating Someone Who Sees the Light

It was such a joy to spend time this week with my longtime friend and colleague, the award-winning photographer Sue Ogar.

It was especially powerful to celebrate her Artist Project,  Shine Your Light.

I AM so grateful that Sue shared my work—and the work of so many others, especially young people—who are shining their lights to make the world a better place.

When we so often hear about all the bad in the world, here’s proof that there is so much good.

There are so many people living with LovingKindness.

And Sue is one of them.

A Photographer Who Captures More Than a Moment

When I think of Sue, I think of a “salt of the earth” person—with a warm smile and a tender heart, someone who is so generous in every way.

She sees… and captures… and shares… so much beauty in the world.

Sue says that "moments captured are the heart and soul of her work."

It is so very, very true!

As a photographer, Sue has taken so many photos for me over the past 20+ years:

• Portraits of me and other colleagues

• Photos at events ranging from statewide intergenerational symposia I coordinated to my diaconate ordination

• Senior portraits for my children, nieces, and nephews

And one of the things I appreciate most about Sue’s amazing work is her ease at taking multigenerational photos.

Even when that means photographing my parents and the 25 members of our family—including the dogs!

That takes some serious talent. 😊

Check out Sue’s website and see for yourself.

Shine Your Light

In 2023, Sue created the fun—and powerful—Shine Your Light project.

It was inspired by this quote from Michelle Obama:

“When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it.”

I love that idea.

Because sometimes we need someone else to help us see the light that is already within us.

And sometimes, when we recognize our own light, we can use it to help someone else see theirs.

Shining Our Lights

All this to say—can you imagine how thrilled I was this week at the Artist Reception?

And how grateful I AM that Sue is shining her light on so many people who are making our world a brighter, more beautiful place.

People who are choosing goodness.

People who are using their gifts.

People who are making a difference.

People who are living with LovingKindness.

People like Sue.

What about YOU?

And perhaps that is the invitation for each of us:

What is the light that burns within you?

How are you shining it?

And who might need the light you have to share?

May we each recognize our own light—and then have the courage and LovingKindness to let it shine.

Let’s Pray

At a recent Easter Vigil service, we focused on celebrating God’s beauty - in Scripture and in our world. Our prayer was the refrain from the song, Make Something Beautiful by Ben Rector. It’s the prayer Sue lives… Let it be our prayer today and throughout our lives:

Please let me make something beautiful

A thing that reminds us there's good in the world

A thing that reminds us there's still something out there worth fighting for…

Ooh-ooh, let it be something wonderful

Ooh-ooh, let it be something beautiful

Please let me make something beautiful

A thing that reminds us there's good in the world

Amen. Ameen. Ashay and So It Is!

Connect with Sue

To get in touch with Sue about a photoshoot, reach out to her directly.