wfn.org | New Lutheran Church Gratefully Receives Stained Glass Window

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 20, 1997

NEW LUTHERAN CHURCH GRATEFULLY
RECEIVES STAINED GLASS WINDOW
97-CA-37-DB

     PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Because he loves the church, Dennis
Roberts, a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod layman, has donated his
time and $25,000 worth of materials for an unusual stained glass
window.  It's been assembled this week by more than 1,000 voting
members and visitors to the biennial Churchwide Assembly of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America meeting Aug. 14-20 at the
Pennsylvania Convention Center.
     The Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA,
presented the window to 20 members of New Life Lutheran Church,
New Tripoli, Pa.  Anderson commented that the creation of a
window has "become a tradition" at churchwide assemblies where
"we join hands with new ministries and offer them the prayers and
best wishes of all the members of the ELCA."
     Pastor-developer Robert D. Machamer Jr. started New Life
Lutheran Church in 1989, a rural, family-oriented congregation
with more than 300 members.  Early worship services were held in
an elementary school.  Their new building was dedicated three
weeks ago.
     Machamer sees rich symbolism in placing the window in the
church sanctuary.  "All members of the ELCA are committed to
support this new congregation with their prayers and gifts," he
said.  "The Spirit of God is the epoxy which holds the window
together."
     On behalf of the New Life congregation, Marilyn Oswald told
the assembly, "A saint is a person who lets the light of heaven
shine through.  The light of heaven has shined through you in
this beautiful stained glass window."
     New Life Vice President Susan Reffie observed that many
assembly participants who placed a piece of glass in previous
windows "couldn't wait to do it again."  This is the third window
that has been assembled by attendees at an ELCA biennial meeting.
     Dennis Roberts, IHS Studios, Fredericksburg, Texas, worked
with Machamer and members of the church for six months to create
the design for the window.  The design incorporates the theme of
the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, "Making Christ Known: Alive in Our
Heritage and Hope!" and the church's logo.   Members of the
congregation helped pour the epoxy which holds the pieces of
glass in place.
     During the first few days of the ELCA assembly, voting
members and visitors placed 1103 glass pieces into the pre-planned
design, which is the upper portion of the window's center
panel.  Participants received a duplicate piece of glass to take
home for a souvenir.  They also signed a huge greeting card for
the receiving congregation.
     Assembly participants assembled the upper half of the 15-foot-
high center panel.  The other two 12-foot panels will be
built at the IHS studio in Texas.  The entire window will be
shipped to New Tripoli and carefully assembled at the church
site.  By Oct. 1 members of New Life will install and dedicate
the window.
     "It took the Lord several years to get me into this work and
ministry," Roberts remarked.  "Each year our studio looks forward
to the congregation's excitement and anticipation" as the plans
come together.  In the computer-generated window designs he tries
to use easily recognized Christian symbols, plus more abstract
designs.  He works with all denominations, usually with 25-30
churches at a time.
     Roberts' company is a family effort with his wife managing
the marketing and sales end of the business, while his son does
fabrication.  The glass used in the windows is supplied by Blenko
Glass in Milton, W.Va.
     New ELCA churches are started by a three-way partnership
with the congregation, the synod, and the national church.
Since 1988, the ELCA has activated 330 new ministries.

For information contact:

Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html