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CREATOR WINDOWS

One of the more visible symbols of our Creation windows is the spiral, which envelops and encircles the three windows, giving them a unified statement. Though a non-traditional symbol, the spiral is a strong one, suggesting God’s awesome forces, which brought our world into being. At the same time, it reminds us of His continuing interaction with us and our world, today and tomorrow and beyond tomorrow -- throughout eternity.

The Spiral on our Creation window is God’s own thumbprint, the same thumbprint found on each of us, on our lives, and in our world -- in the spiral of the nautilus shell and ram’s horn, the twist of scales on a pinecone, and the magnificent arms of the galaxies. In the spiral of the window are the characters of the Creation story--birds of the air; fishes of the sea; and dressed in glorious colors, brown earth; green fields; golden light of day; and blue-black nighttime heavens.

If the spiral suggests the gentle turning of a morning glory as it reaches for the sun, it also represents chaos -- the frightening forces of tornadic winds and tidal waves. As abruptly as these forces begin, however, they stop and find stability. So also does the motion of the spiral stop each time it meets a perpendicular of the window’s most powerful symbol, the cross. In the cross and the risen Lord, we find stability and cause for celebration.

Five bold crimson forms -- wounds of the crucified Christ -- surround the cross, but the cross itself is empty. Christ is risen. He is resurrected. We know who we are: Easter people. Fashioned from clear glass, the empty window allows light to come through to us; He is the light of the world. But through this same cross, we are able to view His world. And as the texture of the glass transforms the majestic pines and sweetgums beyond our window, we are ever reminded that everything we see is through the lens of the empty cross.

The Pentecost flame at the top and center of the window symbolize the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the establishment of God’s church on earth. The cross of St. Andrew symbolizes not only the martydom of Christian saints over the centuries but also the founding of the Episcopal Church in the United States. Portrayed is an unbroken chain of the Anglican Communion from the establishment of God’s church at Pentecost.

Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, form the symbols of the eternity of our Saviour.

EUCHARIST AND BAPTISM WINDOWS

The two smaller windows depict two of the seven sacraments of the church -- Holy Eucharist and Holy Baptism. In the Eucharist window, an etched chalice with Host is superimposed on a background of wheat sheaves and grapes clusters. The Baptism window contains an etched shell on a background of descending dove and baptismal waters. The gothic arch motif in these windows repeats the form of the main window and other architectural details and furnishings of the building.

The Creation, Eucharist and Baptism Windows were given to the glory of God by Miss Lucy Archer in loving memory of her parents, Williamn Hays Archer and Lucy Banks Archer.

SEASONAL WINDOWS

The six seasons of the church year are represented in the windows on the side aisles. The gothic arch and spirals o the main Creation Window are also repeated here. Clear glass is used as well to continue the connection with the outdoors.

Each seasonal window includes a color, cross, symbol, and charge representative of the season. Viewed from back to front, each side window is positioned slightly higher, drawing the eye upward toward the Creation Window.

ADVENT

The Advent Window, representing the first season of the church year, is on the immediate right upon entering the sanctuary. Violet, the liturgical color for the season is prominent. Central to the design is the Tau Cross, simply a Latin Cross with the upper arm missing. The Tau Cross intertwined with a serpent forms the Advent symbol referred to as “Cross of the Old Testament,” “Prophetic Cross,” and “Anticipatory Cross.” All speak to this symbol’s connection with Advent, which means “Coming” – the coming of Christ in the flesh to be commemorated at Christmas; the coming of Christ in Word and Spirit; and the coming of Christ in glory at the end of time. The charge, “Expect,” directs us to a season of preparation for Christ’s coming.

The Advent Window was given to the honor and glory of God, and in memory of Louis Malcolm and Frankie Sepaugh, Sr.; Andrew and Pearle Downey, Sr.; and with thanksgiving for Caitlin Downey Clarke by Chris and Cindy Clarke.

CHRISTMAS

Continuing clock-wise around the sanctuary, the Christmas Window is on the immediate left. On a background of white, the colore for the Christmas season, is the Ansate (or Looped) cross, an ancient Egyptian symbol denoting life. This cross form is similar to the Advent Cross with an added loop, or element, reminding us of the prophecies which became reality with the birth of Christ. The symbol is the Glastonbury Thorn, fruit of the tree said to have grown from the thornwood staff planted outside Glastonbury Cathedral by St. Joseph of Arimathea. It blooms on Christmas Day each year. The charge is to “Behold,” suggesting not only that we gaze upon the Holy Child in the manger, but also that we observe the element of wonder in the many mysteries of worship this very day.

The Christmas Window was given to the glory and honor of God and in memory of Sammy Donn Owens, Jr., and in thanksgiving for Laura, Melinda, and Richard by Faye Owens.

EPIPHANY

The Epiphany Window represents the central message of the season -- the manifestation of God’s glory in sending Christ into the world. The Crosslet Cross is a Latin Cross with bases overlapping, suggesting the four corners of the Earth, and the missionary task of the church to spread the good news throughout the world. White, the seasonal color, denotes light, purity, and brightness. Through legends and story the number of wise men who visited the Christ child in St. Matthew’s account was fized at three and they became not only wise men but kings. Hence the seasonal symbol of three crowns. With the manifestation of God’s glory in the form of the living Christ, we are charged to “Believe” the revelation of the ancient prophecy.

This Epiphany Window was given to God’s glory and in loving memory of Emma Palmer Schmid by Bill and Nancy Schmid.

LENT

The Lent Window details the seasonal theme of preparation. The violet color of the season denotes the penitential nature of the season when Christians are called to repentance. The cross is the Passion Cross, or Cross of Suffering. The symbol of the crown of thorns with the nails used to fasten Jesus to the cross needs little explanation. The charge is to “Repent” in preparation for the highest festival of the church year – Easter.

The Lenten Window was given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Mavis and Dewey Ainsworth and Edna and Joe Rowland by Bob and Carolyn Ainsworth.

EASTER

The Easter Window’s charge to “Rejoice” perfectly characterizes the most important day of the church year and the oldest festival of the Christian church. The resurrection is the keystone in the arch of Christianity. A Latin Cross coupled with a pomegranate is used for Easter. Seeds bursting forth from the pomegranate magnificently symbolize the power of the Lord who burst forth alive from the tomb. The many seeds of this one fruit also suggest the unity and oneness in Christ of many believers -- a true symbol of Christ’s church. White is the color of this most holy season, also called the Great Fifty Days.

The Easter Window was given to God’s glory and in memory of Jennifer Elizabeth Barnes by Mike and Sandy Barnes.

PENTECOST

The Pentecost Window celebrates the final and longest season of the church year. It begins on the fiftieth day after Easter (Pentecost means fiftieth), when God sent his Holy Spirit to dwell among us -- the “birthday” of the Christian church. Green, the seasonal color, is used from the Monday following Trinity Sunday until the beginning of Advent. The Pentecost cross is the Cross Triparted Fleuree and resembles the fleur-d-lis which is often used as a Trinity symbol. The seven-branched candlestick represents the seven gifts of the spirits, and its similarity to the Jewish Menorah points to the roots of our Jewish inheritance. The charge “Go Forth” joyously exhorts believers to serve God’s people in the world, rejoicing in the Holy Spirit’s power.

The Pentecost Window was given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for Krisen Lea Williams and Guy Michael Williams by Charles and Marti Williams.

Creator’s windows were designed and installed by Andy Young, Pearl River Glass Studio, Jackson, Mississippi.