Dedication of the Stained Glass Windows
January 20, 2002
Remarks by Rev. Patricia Clark (revised)
St. Stephen Presbyterian Church

We begin by giving special thanks to David Salzman, the artist who created and installed these windows and to the stained glass committee: Judy and Joe Snyder, Pat and Pam Hillis and Billie Crockett. The project began several years ago with the former pastor, Marty Shelton-Jenck. He asked David to think about a stained class project for the sanctuary which would be contemporary. He gave him two Scriptures: Genesis 1 and John 1.

Marty left the church, and the project was put on hold until Judy Snyder revived it last year. She formed the committee and they met with several stained glass artists. David Salzman was chosen for three reasons: He had done work with St. Stephen before, and the congregation liked his work. He was a committed Christian. He offered a competitive price.

He was commissioned to do the stained glass panels and met with Reverend Clark and the committee several times during the process. The windows you see are different from the ones he envisioned years ago. They are a testament to a lifelong journey in faith and reflect the current congregation.

Stained glass has been a wonderful art form for centuries. Much of our learning in life is visual. Before the days when people could read, they could look at the pictures in cathedrals and churches and learn the story of faith. David Salsman was telling me that in his church, every now and then, they will walk the children through the building and look at the windows. The children will identify the symbols and say why they are important to the faith.

Having said this, we need to recognize that this is an art form and we are a little leary about telling you what to see when you look at the glass. For art to do its work, it must pull something from you. What I want to do is to explain the basic things going on in the glass, and then allow you to fill in the spaces.

The Resurrection Window John 11:25-25; John 1:1-4; Hebrews 13:8

We begin with the Resurrection window which is the centerpiece of the work. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of the Christian faith. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die...”

There is aesthetic balance on either side the doves on the right and the left, the people, the arcs and rays, the clear glass which narrows in the center and widens to the edges. On the one side, the side closest to the entrance of the sanctuary, are Old Testament symbols. The other side of the cross is the New Testament.

There are two passages of Scripture which were instrumental for David in making this the centerpiece: John 1 and Hebrews 13:8. The cross is red, symbolizing the blood of Christ which was shed for our sins. Through his sacrifice and resurrection, Christians have everlasting life. He is the bridge which connects us to a relationship with God. We can never be good enough to have association with God on our own. We are brought into the relationship through Jesus Christ.

You will notice the arcs and the rays which move away from the cross. They represent the grace and love of Christ which have been present in the world since the beginning of time and which will continue through the end. If you look at the cross closely, you will see all the little crosses which are a part of it. That’s all of us united and focused on Christ who holds us through eternity.