On Sunday, September 27th, we welcomed glass artist Sarah Hall to our church. The purpose of her visit was to reveal the design of the new window.
The theme of the window will be ‘A Pilgrim’s Song’, from Psalm 133. This Psalm is a hymn in praise of unity among the people
of God. The design, according to Sarah, is an interpretation of the Psalm, created in a manner sensitive to the Arts & Crafts architectural style of the church. This is expressed through forms from nature (tree, leaves, fruit), symbolic geometry, ornament, texture and natural colouration.
While the window faces north, there is a lovely, warm luminosity reflected from the courtyard’s walls. The technique used to make the window will be the traditional leaded method, including glass painting, sandblasting and silver-stain. The glass itself is primarily antique (hand-blown), imported from Germany. A kiln-formed textured blue glass may be created especially for the water/sea/sky area.
In the lower section of the window, Aaron cradles a globe in his right hand. His left hand is placed over his heart in a loving, compassionate gesture. The globe, the hand, and the heart all speak to our common humanity and shared destiny. They remind us that even in our diversity,
we all belong to God. Aaron’s gaze invites us to reflect deeply on our spiritual life. Aaron’s cloak is a desert colour, red ochre with black, white, and amber ornaments. Encircling the figure is the Tree of Life, which stands in the Heavenly Jerusalem as described in Revelations: “On either side of the river is the Tree of Life …. and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
The blue panels to the left and right of the figure contain the natural elements of water, sea and sky. At the base of the panels, the musical score (Anglican Psalter) for Psalm 133 is shown along with the inscription from the first line of the Psalm.
In the upper panel, the Tree of Life completes its circle and arcs over the top of the window. In the distance, the landscape of Mount Hermon is seen. Above the mountains, light sweeps through the tracery shapes and starry skies.
