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2001
IMPRESSIONS: STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
(The following reflection on our stained glass windows was written by Mildred Stephens and I am pleased to place it on The Pastor's Page. It is not only an insightful meditation but reminds us as well of the importance of art in helping express our
faith - David W. Andersen)
It was comforting to see the unveiling of the two stained glass windows; "The Baptism of Jesus" and "The Last Supper," displayed in the narthex as a permanent presence in our church. The foresight of a parishioner was reflected in the retrieval, storage, restoration and the choice of location of the display for the two stained glass windows.
The progression took over twenty years from the time the windows were removed from our Collingwood church to our present church on Pilliod Road. The dream was realized. This does not infer closure.
The windows were placed at eye level. The children, especially, will experience the closeness to the subjects, and thoughts will challenge them to connect the written word with the visual in a more meaningful way.
Some will ask about the relationship of Jesus and John. Some will count the number of disciples and the implication of Jesus being surrounded by these men and for what purpose. What happened to all of them?
Adults will renew their quests for answers to the meaning of life.
A second set of stained glass windows is located above the doors connecting the vestibule and the narthex. It was given by the family of a devoted long time member of our church. This gift reflects a pastoral atmosphere.
The third stained glass is the centerpiece of the sanctuary. It reaches from the floor to the ceiling and is several panels wide. There are no faces to interpret - only those that you place there.
A teacher observed that when you purchase your tickets at the box office, you have checked your imagination at the door. You are asked to accept the thoughts of the artisan. The artisan's intention in the windows is to emphasize "in the beginning - God."
The base outreach of the two yellow wingspreads suggest that abundance to come. The abundance continues toward the cross and the impact of Jesus in the world.
A helpful thought is this: When a woodsman fells a tree, he inspects the trunk, starting at the center and counting the growth rings to determine the approximate age of the tree. The rings may not be the same width or color. Some rings suggest the effect of rainfall that year. Other rings show the effect of stress in other ways such as disease.
The woodsman must consider the location of the tree. Did it have competition with other trees in getting enough sunlight or was it in an open space?
Compare the above to the cross on the stained glass window. Christ is the center of the crossbars and the vertical piece. The first ring around the center reflects the family and followers of Jesus as the beginning of His ministry. The circle or ring is the smallest of all the rings.
Soon an additional ring emerges. . . A bit wider. The scoring denotes uncertainty. Further growth of additional scored rings imply an acceptance and encompassing the universe.
The bright yellow medallion surrounds the image. It affirms and reflects the Glory of God.
In Gratitude,
Mildred Stephens
          
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