DENVER (ELCA) -- One thousand two hundred fifty people picked up 1,250 chunks of multi-colored glass, placed them carefully on a pre-mapped = table, which had been readied for a special project of the 1999 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting Aug. 16-22 here at the Colorado Convention Center. There are more than 2,500 people participating including 1,038 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is Making Christ Known: "Hope for a New Century."
A faceted-glass window, constructed in four quadrants, was completed by voting members and visitors attending the assembly. Presented to Chinese Lutheran Church in Honolulu, Hawaii, the window will adorn a church yet to be built. Its shape, based on the Jerusalem cross with heart-shaped designs in each corner, represents the four Gospels.
"It is an honor for me to receive this significant gift for our congregation," said the Rev. Simon Lee, pastor of Chinese Lutheran Church. "Thank you for your partnership in this ministry."
Although, Chinese Lutheran Church is 25 years old, the congregation has never owned a building. The cost of land in Honolulu is prohibitive, and leasing has been the only option for this congregation.
Chinese Lutheran is a growing congregation which reaches out to unchurched people, he said. Last year 54 people were baptized, 30 of whom were adults. In addition, 13 congregational members have gone on to become active in ministry.
Dennis Roberts, designer, HIS Studios, Fredricksburg, Texas, reported it took 16 hours to design the window, 160 hours of glass cutting, 40 hours of packaging and labeling, and another 10 hours of mapping the design. The mapping process is called "cartooning," and lays out the design much like a giant puzzle. Hours at the assembly, not calculated, include placing of the glass, filling the spaces with crushed rock, epoxy and hardener, and readying the window for shipment.
Roberts has participated in three stained-glass projects for ELCA synod assemblies. He donates all of his time and materials.
Marlys Waldo, director of Mission Partners, ELCA Division for Outreach, coordinated the project. "It's difficult to choose the recipient," she said. "There are so many deserving congregations. But this year's gift will go to a very active, very mission-minded congregation. Sometimes our Lutherans who are not on 'mainland U.S.A.' feel estranged from the workings of the church, and this is one way to affirm their partnership in the ELCA."
Although one small piece of glass shattered to the floor during the process, voting members were incredibly careful and proud of the project. The completed window, uprighted and lit, was then hoisted by forklift to a truck and transported for airlift to Honolulu where it will remain in storage until the new church is built. Ground-breaking is expected to take place this fall with a completion date in Fall 2000.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
