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Symbolism of Christ United Methodist Church
INTRODUCTIONStained glass, pictures, statuary, icons and art forms are part of our church structures. For centuries, images have been provided for people as teaching instruments or for personal meaningful interpretation. As we look at a particular work of art, we interpret its meaning from our own perspective and experiences. The language of the church, then, is expressed by its building and art. This symbolism information provides other persons' interpretations of the symbols of Christ United Methodist Church, but invites you to read into the symbols your own experiences. As you approach the Fifth Avenue S.W. entrance of Christ Church, you will note the triquetra symbol above the encised name of the church. The interwoven circles represent the completeness of God. The triquetra is formed from the portions of the circles that are removed in forming a trefoil. The three equal parts remind us of the three aspects revealed in the Trinity-Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer. All three aspects convey the distinctiveness of the three, yet they are interrelated, inseparably joined. So it is with us, the community of faith. We are each very distinctive and unique with many gifts and talents, yet we are united by the One Spirit of God. Our continuing prayer for you is that peace and serenity shall fill your life. SANCTUARYThe sanctuary of Christ Church in its entirety is a symbol. The narthex through which we enter from the Commons is preparatory to our experience in the sanctuary. Here we emotionally prepare ourselves to worship. It is in the sanctuary that we bow in awe and admiration, are humbled by our need for improvement, rise in praise and celebration, and go forth with a new resolve to be in ministry. The great vaulting arches remind us of the mystical greatness of our Creator. One can sense, as the arches meet high overhead, the touching of fingers in an attitude of prayer. The bases of the arches create an awareness of God's presence with us and we are aware, when viewing the pillars, of the strength of those present and of those who have gone before us. As one moves into the sanctuary, it is down a long center aisle. The aisle is a symbol of the journey of life from birth, through the experiences of living, through death and eventually to eternal life. At the front of the sanctuary, just below the steps, there is a modified version of the classic concept of two aisles which intersect making the pattern of the cross on the sanctuary floor. The great loving act of God took place on the cross where the cross beams intersect. It is here that major events in the life of the congregation take place; baptisms, weddings, funerals, acts of dedication and commitment. This area is commonly called the crossing. GOOD SHEPHERD WINDOW
The full figure of Jesus The Good Shepherd is depicted superimposed on the well-defined cross which is both a part of the background and also an integral part of the figure of Christ. With "rod and staff' and the precious lamb nestled comfortably, Christ is shown as the Divine healer in a spiritual as well as a temporal physical sense. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." --Psalm 23 David seated upon a throne brings to mind the psalms of David and symbolizes, also, the people who came to our Lord to sing God's praises, and ask for grace, guidance and comfort. The circle in which David seems to rest represents the subservience of the universe to the law and will of God, as well as the universality of God's teachings. Within the pattern of the background, one can discern the Sun of Splendor -- the radiance of God's love of us.
To the left as you face the altar, six stained glass windows symbolize the stages of life using the seasons of the year. Though there are only four seasons, the change from one to the other is subtle. So it is with the windows, and all six are used to make the transitions. The ambers, reds and oranges of the fall season give way to the season of winter with grays, blacks and browns. The blues and greens of spring and summer become apparent as one moves forward. Incorporated into the theme are the vine and branches directly relating to the words of Christ and are used to symbolize spring, Easter and renewal. The light which shines through these windows is a symbol of the resurrection, the promise of Easter The young leaves are reminders both of spring and the renewal of human life. COMMUNION RAIL
The header design on these panels alternate between grapes and wheat, symbolizing the bread and wine of Communion. The center panel incorporates both the grapes and wheat header design over a contemporary setting of the Last Supper.
BAPTISMAL FONTTo the right of the Sanctuary located near the door, symbolizing the way of the entry into the church, is the baptismal font. Here, the second sacrament of the church is enacted. The descending dove, associated with the baptism of Jesus, is the symbol of God's spirit coming to us. The pure water of the font symbolizes the beginning of our Christian faith journey. THE SEVEN STEPSThe seven steps up to the Chancel area recall the journey through life should be an upward one. They also may refer to the gifts of the Holy Spirit-the promises of Christ. Or, they may remind us of the seven days of the week the six days of creation and the seventh day of rest. Seven is thought of as a complete number in the Bible. THE CHANCELThe chancel is the total area at the top of the seven steps. It is from this area that the Word is interpreted, is spoken, is shared. Very appropriately, the chancel area includes the organ and choirs which become major instruments through which the Word is spoken, interpreted and celebration happens. LECTERNThe Bible, the central writings of our faith, is read to the congregation in worship at the lectern. The concerns and the events of the life of the congregation in worship are also shared from here. PULPITTo the left in the chancel area is the prominent pulpit from which the interpretation of the Word is preached. The reading of the Scriptures and the interpreting of the story is a privilege open to everyone. THE FOCUS OF WORSHIP
CANDLESThe lighted candles represent the source of light for early Christians and remind us that Christ is the light of the world. God is with us at home, school and at work, as well as in the worship service. The process of lighting the altar candles as worship begins symbolizes that light flows from Christ to the church. Carrying the flame back down the aisle following worship symbolized the movement of the faithful back into the world to serve. BANNERS
BALCONY RAIL SYMBOLS
STAINED GLASS FROM OUR PAST
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Upon entering the sanctuary of Christ Church,
one's attention immediately focuses upward to the great
faceted, jeweled glass window. It sets the dominant theme of
the church and its worshipping congregation. The Good Shepherd
Window reminds us of God's caring for all people and invites
us to be caring, responsible persons as well.
The stained-glass clerestory windows running the
full length of the sanctuary on the right and left have
a distinct pattern of forward movement. The symbol is of
life's continuing journey toward God including delays and
setbacks as seen by the heavy interrupting lines. The wheat in
the windows is a symbol of the gifts and graces of the people
of God being brought to God though intentional service.
Moving forward in the center aisle of
the Sanctuary brings us to the communion rail, a very
important aspect in the life of the church. Here is where one
of the two sacraments of the church takes place. The Lord's
Supper or the last supper of Christ during which the disciples
were instructed to continue the breaking of bread and drinking
of the wine, has many facets of meaning. Significantly, these
meanings meet the needs of different people in different ways
at various times. There is forgiveness, remembrance,
fellowship, new life, hope and peace. We are reminded that as
citizens of two worlds, the physical and the spiritual, we
reach across this symbolic line of the communion rail hoping
to receive God's eternal answers to this life.
The Communion rail symbols are hand-carved,
butternut panels. There is a total of 13 panels, six on either
side of the main sanctuary aisle, and a center panel used
during communion to complete the rail. The artist is Ivan Whillock of Faribault, Minn.
The panels are designed to be a simple
and ageless representation of life experiences on one's
journey. Expressive tonal moods allow of us to feel and make
our own interpretation. The artist chose to use hands in the
carvings as the instrument to convey the many and varied
aspects of our lives.
Pictured are the panels with the
"concept words" used for each panel -- from left to right as
you face the Chancel area.
On a raised platform, in beautiful
white marble at the very center of the chancel in the
Sanctuary of Christ Church, stands the focus of all of our
worship. It is here that we are reminded of Christ in the IHC
(uppercase for the last three letters of the name of Jesus in
Greek). Our eyes follow upward and we see the table of the
last supper and then the cross. The cross is the ultimate
symbol of Christianity, reminding us that in Christ God
demonstrated once and for all that God is love. Incorporated
at the front and center of our sanctuary is the constant
reminder of the central figure of our faith. Unless our focus
is there, we miss the mark of worship. But, it is also to this
table that we bring ourselves, our gifts, our dedication to
service and our willingness to say, "Here am I, send me. . ."
Other symbols become apparent as one
faces the back of the church. First, there is the large,
beautifully handmade banner. The series of banners was
produced for Christ Church for the purpose of interpreting the
seasons of the church year. Color, symbols, motion,
celebration involve people with the liturgy of the church year
whether it is the season of Advent, Christmastide, Epiphany,
Lent, Eastertide, Pentecost or Kingdomtide.
Across the balcony railing are
symbols of the church, all formed with the characteristics of
a cross. The first symbol on the left forms a simple ancient
ship, the early symbol of the church as a place where the
voyagers of faith could gather and sail over the rough areas
of life to the good destination God had for them. The second
symbol suggest that Christ is our anchor, our steadiness in a
storm. The third is the lamp of knowledge superimposed over a
cross symbolizing growth in the knowledge and love of God. The
fourth is the ancient double symbol of the cross and crown
representing the fulfillment of the Christian life and eternal
life - victory of life over death. These symbols are located
so departing worshippers may leave the Sanctuary with a sense
of reassurance and hope.
A section of the stained glass
windows from the Doran Chapel is now hanging in the entryway
of the Education Conference Center. The Doran Chapel was
located for 63 years on a part of the old Dubuque Trail in
Cascade Township, Olmsted County. Pastors from the First
Methodist Church of Rochester led worship at the chapel for
many years.
