[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Aesthetics draw us closer to God and inspire awe, reverence, connection, and service.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Columbarium Chapel” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”makeuppercase”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]The Columbarium Chapel is shrouded in light from the original stained glass work of parish artist Christine Alexander. The windows tell God’s story in vignettes, beginning with Thomas’s physical encounter with the beatified wounds of the resurrected Jesus and moving through the holy spirit to the arms of Christ the Good Shepherd. Book-ending vignettes for the chapel doors are coming soon.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Learn More about our Stained Glass Windows” style=”flat” shape=”square” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fsttaec.org%2FPDFs%2FSTTAEC-Columbarium%2520Chapel%2520Booklet.pdf|title:Learn%20More%20about%20our%20Stained%20Glass%20Windows|target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6731″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Candle Altar” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”makeuppercase”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”9986″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Beauty and creativity truly make the sanctuary a refuge and site for spiritual nourishment.
The David Anderson and Springer Hutchison Memorial candle altar allows prayers, petitions or celebrations, to be visually represented before God and the community in sacred space. The altar is open to all to represent their prayer through a lit candle, especially during the prayers of the people and at the reception of the Eucharist.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The Stations of the Cross” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”makeuppercase”][vc_column_text]The stations of the cross invite us to walk alongside Jesus contemplatively through contemplation of 14 moments on the Via Dolorosa. Annual Lenten liturgies invites communal interaction with the mixed media stations, produced by local artisans and friends of the parish.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid css=”” grid_id=”vc_gid:1740583583828-9519d833-23bc-2″ include=”9989,9990,9991,11811,11812,11813,11814,11815,11816,11817,12332,12333,12334″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Brumley Hall Exhibitions” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”makeuppercase”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]
Ella’s Window: Creation and the 4 Seasons in Brumley Hall Entrance
These stained glass windows are the gift of the Whirley family through their love and faith, and as a memorial of their daughter Ella. They were designed by Chris Alexander and built with the help of her colleagues at Harmony Stained Glass, and installed by Freebird Glass.
The main theme of the windows is the creation story from Genesis. The cycle of each day and night is represented as the chapters proceed; the creation of each element from the light of the moon and sun, the spirit breathing across the water, the creation of the earth and all that grows there, and the creatures of the land, sea and air. The beauty of the world we live in is important in the design, as is an appreciation for the cycles of life we all experience. Each of the trees on the right and left sides of the window represent a different season, and the sun and moon speak to the passage of time. The roses represent the flowers of the earth, but also Christ’s sacrifice, and are portrayed in the varying colors of the liturgical calendar.
The small butterfly playing with the lion represents Ella and how she is loved. The concept of the butterfly has a larger meaning as well, representing our spiritual growth as we walk with God. In the very center of the windows is an area of darker glass that represents the chaos before God created order, but it is in the shape of a chrysalis, speaking to the transformative power of God’s love. The butterflies then become sculptural, flying down the hall, and travel with us as we walk towards worship.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church supports our local arts community by providing space for local artists to show their work, by bringing traveling exhibitions to our community, and by providing free access to this work to the public. St Thomas values art’s ability to cultivate wonder, awe, beauty, perspective, creativity, critique, and commentary, all of which we believe to stem from the image and likeness of God. The goal of art exhibitions at St. Thomas is to make available to the community artistic experiences which will enhance its appreciation and understanding of various art forms, and to create an opportunity for our parish and larger community to engage with each other through the appreciation of the arts. Management of art exhibitions at St. Thomas is overseen by the parish Aesthetics Committee.
For more information, contact Mike at rector@sttaec.org.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1740583583829-4da93ca6-959a-6″ include=”9993,9992″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Exhibition Guidelines PDF” style=”flat” shape=”square” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fsttaec.org%2FPDFs%2FSt%2520Thomas%2520Exhibition%2520Guidelines.pdf|title:Exhibition%20Guidelines%20PDF|target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Exhibition Application PDF” style=”flat” shape=”square” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fsttaec.org%2FPDFs%2FSt%2520Thomas%2520Exhibit%2520Application.pdf|title:Exhibition%20Application%20PDF|target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
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