The rainbow design joins together Noah's Ark, from the Old Testament and Jesus With Children from the New Testament. The dove in flight, carries an olive branch as the animals leave the Ark. Lily, Hyacinth, Iris, Poppy and Castor Bean are plants named in the Bible. Jesus With the Children is self explanatory. Love radiates among the figures.

JESUS WITH CHILDREN

The natural light at the center of the cross gives us the opportunity to worship within the light of the Lord. We believers carry His light within us. The figure is quiet and loving as outstretched hands offer a giving and receiving gesture. The face is clear to encompass all races, and the features could be representative of anyone. The nimbus is the light surrounding the head of a holy person, symbolic of Christian art throughout the ages. The storm clouds symbolize the turbulent world, and the personal hurricanes within us, contrasting the serene figure seeking strength from the cross.

The descending dove represents the Holy Spirit, one of the oldest symbols in the Christian Church. The clear circles within the moving lines of the dove symbolize the Holy Spirit's gifts on the day of Pentecost; love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness and faith. Galatians 5:22 The twelve clear circles around and within the light at the center symbolize the twelve disciples of Christ. The background includes shades of all God's colors symbolizing the seasons of the earth and our lives.

HISTORY OF THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

At the Annual Meeting in January, 1995, committee leaders were asked this question: "What are your dreams for our church within the next five years?" A long list was compiled. The Liturgical Guild, organized by Gay Sorensen, ranked stained glass windows as a high priority. One month later eight people met to discuss the possibilities of designing and building windows with Biblical themes. This ambitious project became a reality masterminded by Gay, a woman who dreams big dreams and engineers them to completion with God's help.

First, ideas were exchanged. Next, Gay created many watercolor designs, often making changes as suggestions warranted. Then decisions were made for work rooms, racks for storage of glass, lead came, rebar and zinc framing. Two work tables four feet by six feet were constructed. The final watercolor designs for six sanctuary windows were presented to the Session in June 1995, with the Cross as the main theme. Throughout the summer, Gay enlarged these designs, free hand, to a size of forty three inches by fifty nine inches. Each pattern piece was designed so that the glass could be cut exactly to that shape. Seed money was donated for materials throughout the Spring without requesting funding from the congregation.

Thousands of pounds of supplies were purchased requiring monumental decisions of color, size, texture, quantity and quality. A bus and van transported everything a distance of two hundred miles, loaded and unloaded by volunteers. Glass was then sorted, labeled and stored. Organization was crucial.

By October 1995, full production of the windows began with a few dedicated people. Additional volunteers traced and cut paper patterns, cut glass, fitted came, and cleaned the finished windows. The first window was completed within three months and in place by Christmas. The initial window became a motivational force and the six windows evolved into eighteen with an average time of one to two months for completion.

Trends of the Chimes, the church newsletter, reported monthly the progress of the stained glass window committee. Within several months all the windows had been purchased by members, either to glorify God, or in memory/honor of family and friends.

By the end of 1996, the committee started the Chancel window which measured sixteen feet by seventeen feet. After approval of the design, it became the greatest engineering challenge; a window of twenty stained glass sections.

Three mornings each week, volunteers continued tracing and organizing pattern pieces into large envelopes. Additional volunteers cut and fit glass, built two windows simultaneously, while a third was puttied and cleaned. An opening four feet by four feet was cut through the outside wall of the Chancel. Glass blocks were inserted allowing for God's light at the apex of the cross. Installation of fluorescent lighting, with dimmer controls, enhanced the beauty of the windows. Mter only six months the massive free standing open book was secured in place behind the permanently suspended wooden cross. Easter 1997, with gratitude and thanksgiving, we rejoiced.

Work continued two mornings each week concentrating on four Narthex doors. At the same time three Chapel windows were also being constructed with a theme Sky, Earth and Sea - "and God saw that it was good." Following that, the Good Shepherd window, in the library, and the Ninth Presbyterian Confessional Banner window were completed.

The final project was a gift to the children of the church. Two windows were installed in the Youth Hall, one depicting Noah's Ark, the other Jesus with Children.

After twenty seven months and thousands of volunteer hours, we were most grateful to God for continued strength permitting us to accomplish our goal. January, 1998, only three years after the idea, presented as a dream, the windows became a reality. May these eighteen stained glass windows now serve as a reminder for generations to come that with God all things are possible.

Ray Forseille
Bob Hull
Harry Meck
Kurt Muhlberg
Lindsay Norman
Thelma Pindar
Dale Sensenig
Tom Slayton
Gay Sorensen
Carolyn Taylor
Helen Turner
Pearl Wallis
Dean Weaver

Eleanor Adams
Marvin Coil
Ken Cuthbert
Judy Dickenson
Dee Dressler
Gladys Foley
John Foust
Virginia Ferjanec
Gay Keller
RuthAnn Jones
Pauline Kummer
Mabel McCaughey
Virginia Shaffer
Bertha Slayton
Doris Wackenbarth
Olive Weaver
Millicent Vesper

Craig Baird
Doug Braun
Rev. Michael Dunkelberger
Al Evans
Kenneth Ferris
Larry Gantz
Dr. John R. Hunt
Rev. Thomas D. Keizer
Earl King
Earl Lewis
James MacKenzie
Charlotte Morey
H. Wendell Palm
Judy Robinson
Craig Shepherd
Brooke Simcox
Donald Sorensen
Jackie Vaughn