Newtown’s Trinity Episcopal Church invited Roger, bringing his

      special skills, to minister to the traumatized survivors and their fami-

      lies. There, under his benevolent gaze, the children could work out their

      distress as the painting table became the image of the Lord’s Table where

      they received communion and the promise of healing. You could almost

      call it art therapy, but such a term would be reductive. Roger’s Christian

      faith combined with his artistic gifts enlarges his work into a higher

      realm.

      Now, Under the Fig Tree appears with its invitation to adults. Above

      all, it is deeply biblical, which commends it especially to those seeking

      a closer identification to the Gospel. Roger’s seemingly simple sketches

      catch the eye, but more important, his way of combining biblical texts

      and pictures gives rise to thought. There is humor, yes, and surprise, but

      also depth. Passages from the Old and New Testament have inspired his

      images in a way that brings the participant deeper into the narrative of

      salvation. It is a joy to commend this lovely book to adults and older

      children alike.

      Fleming Rutledge

      Rye Brook, New York

      April 21, 2015

      xii Under the Fig Tree