wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Assembles Stained Glass Window

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 21, 1999

ELCA ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLES STAINED GLASS WINDOW
99-CWA-49-SH

     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