Brushstrokes of Justice: Presbyterian Moderator’s Sermon Inspires Artistic Pledge at Youth Advocacy Conference

Lauren Christian painted Van Gogh-inspired leaves during worship at the 2026 Jesus and Justice conference (Photos by Beth Waltemath)

During opening worship at the 2026 Jesus and Justice: Young Adult Advocacy Conference, Rev. Dr. Kris Schondelmeyer preached while a painting unfolded nearby. Created in real time by Columbia Theological Seminary worship intern Lauren Christian, the acrylic landscape featured a burning bush framed by vivid autumn leaves painted with repeated brushstrokes inspired by Vincent van Gogh. Christian said the layering symbolized the steady, ongoing work of justice and advocacy, a theme that echoed throughout Schondelmeyer’s sermon and his call for Presbyterians to “be the leaves” that bring healing to the world.

That image became a fitting frame for the message brought by Schondelmeyer, one of the Moderators of the 227th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), during the 2026 Jesus and Justice: Young Adult Advocacy Conference hosted by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Office of Public Witness at Columbia Theological Seminary. Elected in June alongside Moderator the Rev. Marta Pumroy-Cordero, Schondelmeyer has spent the months since traveling across the denomination, visiting ministries and convening conversations about the church’s future.

Preaching opening worship on Oct. 23, Schondelmeyer rooted his message in Revelation 22, the vision of the river of the water of life and the tree whose “leaves are for the healing of the nations.” That Scripture has become central to the Moderators’ ministry.

“What if the leaves are something we are called to become?” he asked. “What if we are called to be the leaves?”

With cadences reminiscent of St. Francis of Assisi’s famous prayer, the refrain “be the leaves” echoed throughout the sermon, inviting participants to embody that call in many shapes, sizes and situations.

“Where there is hatred, be love. Where there is cruelty, be compassion. Where there is injustice, be courage,”

During the conference, participants reimagined the invitation as an artistic pledge, adding their unique thumbprints of paint to a communal art project traveling with the Moderators.

The mural, created by an artist from the El Paso-Juárez region, depicts the river of life flowing between two trees. As congregations contribute painted leaves, the artwork becomes a visual witness to the church’s call to healing.

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