Download SYMBOLS IN THE ALDERSGATE SANCTUARY THE STAINED

SYMBOLS IN THE ALDERSGATE SANCTUARY
THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS:
The Stained Glass Windows were designed to dramatize the two sacraments of the United Methodist Faith, The Holy
Communion and Baptism, and the sense of mission that has traditionally been the emphasis of our Methodist
heritage. The windows were purchased from the Stained Glass Associates of Raleigh, North Carolina. The prime
artist is Madonna Phillips, who is well known in the galleries and art shows around Raleigh for her paintings.
THE LAST SUPPER WINDOW high over the chancel depicts Jesus and the twelvedisciples reclining on cushions
around a low round table in the upper room. The artist has tried to be authentic to the Biblical account and the near
eastern custom by showing the low table and the reclining disciples who are interacting with Jesus and Judas, and
the traumatic events of that evening. (The communion table below is designed to be like the original table Jesus and
the disciples must have used.)
THE BAPTISTRY WINDOW on the south side of the sanctuary represents the United Methodist view of baptism as
an invitation for all of every age and station to be initiated into the Kingdom of our Lord. The children represent the
people of all the world. The mother holding out her infant child shows that we believe children come to faith as a
reflection of their parents concern and belief. At the bottom John the Baptist points to Jesus as the Christ, and at the
top the Holy Spirit is shown descending on the Lord in the form of a dove. The background is the Jordan Valley and
Jordan River emptying into the Dead Sea.
THE MISSION WINDOW on the north side half wall next to the chapel depicts a mission project of the early
Methodist in . The scene is the Chesapeake Bay. On the shore a Methodist Superintendent like Francis Asbury is
sending a preacher across the bay to begin a new church on the distant island. The idea of this window is derived
from the book, AThe Parson of the Islands@, which is the story of the Rev. Joshua Thomas, who began the
Methodist Churches on the Chesapeake Islands like Tangier. (The window is given in memory of Rev. Bob Bryan,
by his wife, Yowleth, who served the church on Tangier and later retired at Aldersgate.)
OTHER WINDOWS
(Facing the altar begin on the right side at the lowest window)
AThe Nativity@
AJesus Teaching in the Temple B Age 12@
AJesus Offering Forgiveness to Woman While Pharisees Scowl@
AJesus Confronts Sadducees Over a Healed Man@
AJesus Calms the Sea@
AJesus Praying in a @
(Facing the altar begin on the right side at the highest window)
ASermon on the Mount@
AFishers of Men@
AThe Baptism of Jesus@
AIs any merry? Let him sing psalms.@ (This window given in honor of the Chancel Choir)
AJesus Chases Money Changers from the Temple@
AThe Crucifixion of Jesus@
THE COMMUNION TABLE:
The Communion Table was designed to represent an authentic Palestinian Banquet table like the one Jesus and his
disciples must have used at the Last Supper in the upper room. It is low, only 18 inches high. The disciples and
Jesus would have reclined on large cushions around it. In this position it would have been easy for Jesus to wash
their feet. The table is constructed in a sunburst pattern to give the illusion that it is round, although it is oval. Its
position in the chancel allows the congregation to gather around the table when they come to the communion rail
for the Last Supper celebration. The symbols on the communion rail are symbols of the twelve disciples. It is as
though the present day disciples are taking their place as successors. This beautiful table was built for us by one of
our own, Jack Dabney.
THE WOODCUTS:
On the Pulpit there are three woodcuts:
1. The center woodcut is the cross and the crown, the cross shows the extent of God=s love for us, the circle
reminds us of eternity, and the crown symbolizes the kingship of our Lord Christ.
2. The left woodcut on the pulpit is a symbol of St. Matthew, writer of the Gospel of Matthew. He is represented as
a winged angel with a human face. This symbol is also in the corner of the stained glass window above.
3. The right woodcut on the pulpit is a symbol of St. Mark, writer of the Gospel of Mark. He is represented by a
winged lion because his Gospel begins with the story of John the Baptist as a voice crying in the wilderness. This
symbol is also in the corner of the stained glass window above.
On the Lectern there are three woodcuts:
1. The center woodcut is the open Bible and a torch symbolizing the Bible as God=s Word, a light in the dark for
all people.
2. The left woodcut on the lectern is a symbol of St. Luke, writer of the Gospel of Luke. He is represented as an ox
because he gives a full account of the sacrificial death of Jesus. This symbol is in the corner of the stained glass
window above.
3. The right woodcut on the lectern is a symbol of St. John, writer of the Gospel of John. John is represented as an
eagle, suggesting the soaring loftiness of his writings. This symbol is also found in the corner of the stained glass
window above.
On the Choir Rail Woodcuts: (from left to right)
1. The Cross and Alpha: The alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet, thus this panel symbolizes the
beginning, the first, and refers to Christ. This is to be matched with the last panel on the choir rail which is the cross
and the Greek omega, the last letter of the Greek alphabet. The symbols are for the statement from St. Paul, AHe is
the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.@
2.
The Open Bible and Fruit: The Bible when read bears fruit for the faithful.
3. The Heavenly Father: The hand of God reaches dawn to earth from heaven and the circle symbolizes his
eternity.
4.
The Son of God: The scepter and crown and chalice held by the heavenly Christ show that Jesus is God=s Son.
5. The Holy Spirit: The descending dove is a symbol of God=s Spirit coming down to man. The circle speaks of
the eternity of the Spirit.
6. The Ship Under Sail: The ancient ship under sail has long represented the Christian Church and its mission, to
take the gospel to all the world.
7.
The Praying Hands: The hands in an attitude of prayer shows the attitude we all should have toward God.
8. The Anchor and the Chi (X): This is a symbol for redemption; the anchor illustrates that Faith anchored in
Christ will stand through any storm.
9.
The Grape Cluster: The grape cluster reminds us of remarks by Jesus that he is the vine and we are the
branches and are called upon to bear much fruit.
10. The Cross and Omega: The omega is the last letter in the Greek alphabet. This symbol when matched with the
first symbol, the alpha, means that Jesus Christ is the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
The Communion Rail Woodcuts (from left to right):
The communion rail woodcuts are the traditional symbols of the twelve disciples. They were chosen to represent
something significant in the life of that disciple either from the Bible or from legend, usually concerning a major
accomplishment or the manner of their death.
1.
The Saw: James-the-Less -- He was thrown from the pinnacle of the temple and sawn asunder.
2.
The Fish and Hook: Simon -- He was a traveler, who was killed and sawn asunder.
3.
The Upside Down Cross and Spear: Jude - The symbol represents the manner of his death.
4.
The Flaying Knife: Bartholemew - This may be another name for Nathaniel, but little is known of him. He was
a brother of Phillip.
5.
6.
The Cross and Sheaves: Phillip - The sheaves remind us that Phillip led the boy to Jesus who had the loaves
and fish to feed the multitude.
The Keys: Peter - Tradition has it that to Peter was entrusted the keys to the Kingdom.
7. The X Cross: Andrew - The tradition is that Andrew was martyred in on an x-shaped cross, called St.
Andrew=s Cross. He was a brother of Peter.
8.
The Cup and the Serpent: John - Tradition has it that a pagan priest gave him a cup of poison, but the Lord
delivered him.
9.
The Dagger and the Shell: James - The Book of Acts records that James was put to death by Herod Agrippa.
The scallop shell symbolizes pilgrimages James is thought to have taken. He is John=s brother.
10. The Square and Spear: Thomas - Thorns, also called ADidymos@, meaning twin, is remembered as doubting
Thomas.
11.
The Axe: Matthew - The tax collector who left all to follow Jesus.
12. The 30 Pieces of Silver and J: Judas - The pieces of silver are reminders that one disciple betrayed the Lord.
The whole sanctuary is a symbol. All the major lines lift one=s thoughts upward to God. The shape of the ceiling
and lines of the windows point to the Lord in the Communion Stained Glass window, or to the three empty crosses
above the Altar signifying hope in the risen Lord. On the outside one begins at the earth feeling a part of the mass of
bricks and glass making up the walls; however, the walls and roof point upward, and the tower emphasizes the
upward movement; even the shrubs seem to point toward heaven. Until unobtrusively above the tower we see the
three dimensional configuration of the three crosses reminding us that God calls us to remember the suffering, the
passion, to which his love extends to us and invites us to worship and service and redemption.