FARGO — This Christmas season, the artistic contributions of Justin Morken are illuminating the services at all three campuses of Hope Lutheran Church. As the director of technical arts for the past 15 years, Morken has transformed traditional Christmas decor into meaningful liturgical art, blending both secular and spiritual elements. His creations have captivated churchgoers, enriching their holiday experience.
Morken, alongside his wife Ashley Morken, played a pivotal role in fostering a crafting community in Fargo through their vendor events, known as Unglued. While Ashley serves as the public face of the initiative, Justin works behind the scenes, constructing displays that have gained popularity among visitors. His artistic talents not only enhance the community’s crafting landscape but also resonate deeply within the church environment.
Reflecting on his approach to liturgical art, Morken noted the importance of storytelling within the visual and built environment. “I’ve learned a lot about how we can use these things to create community and express values that are important to us,” he stated. His involvement in Christmas installations began when he proposed to create scenic decorations during his second year in the role, evolving from basic set design to profound artistic expressions.
Planning for this year’s Christmas theme, “A Thrill of Hope,” commenced in July. Morken collaborates with the pastoral staff to determine the mood, themes, and scripture readings that will guide his artistic vision. “What’s going on in our city, in our church, in the nation at large, and how do we want to speak to those things?” he explained.
This year’s focus on “thrill” led Morken to explore the etymology of the word, which means “to pierce.” He aimed to capture the essence of “piercing hope” found in the Christmas narrative, drawing inspiration from the Gospel of John, which speaks of a light that darkness could not overcome. To embody this concept, Morken designed lanterns intended to cast both light and shadow throughout the church, creating an immersive experience.
The centerpiece of his installation is a lantern divided into three components. The bottom section features earthly nativity figures, including Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and wise men, while the top showcases heavenly figures, such as angels and stars. Suspended between them is the Christmas star, symbolizing the connection between Heaven and Earth through Christ’s birth. Additionally, Moravian stars hang from the church ceiling, each equipped with LED lights that change color and intensity during the service.
Morken crafted each of the 180 individual pieces from thin plywood, utilizing a laser cutter for precision. He employed a 3D printer to create fasteners that hold the installations together. “I turned my home this year into a factory,” he remarked, noting the extensive effort required to complete the project. Over the past month, he dedicated approximately 16 hours a day, seven days a week, to bring the artistic vision to life.
Despite the significant time and effort invested in creating these installations, Morken acknowledges their temporary nature. “The art participates in the service, and when that moment has passed, it’s done its work,” he said. This perspective draws parallels to his experiences as a musician, where the ephemeral nature of performances is a core aspect of the art form.
Morken plans to repurpose the materials from his installations, either recycling components or finding new uses for them. One notable exception is the rebar crucifixes designed for the Lenten season, which are reused annually. Each holiday presents unique creative challenges. “Christmas comes with a lot of expectations, whereas Easter allows for more latitude with creativity,” he noted.
The recent year posed particular challenges for Morken, as he underwent back surgery that limited his physical involvement in the art-making process. “I felt the vulnerability of the nativity that year,” he shared, describing how he relied on friends to assist with the installation. This year, he expressed renewed excitement and gratitude for the ability to create and install the art himself, saying, “I haven’t been this excited to make art in a long time.”
As the Christmas season approaches, Morken is eager to share his artistic creations with the church community. “I love hearing that the art is a reason for people to invite their friends to Christmas or that it makes people excited to be a member here,” he said. He emphasized the value of art within the church, stating, “It has come to represent a value and a cultural expectation here at Hope that art matters and has a high value.”
Through his dedication and creativity, Justin Morken continues to enrich the spiritual experience of his community, ensuring that the stories and meanings of the season are beautifully expressed through his work.
