Revd Elizabeth Stevenson, Tony Campbell, (stained glass artist), Archbishop Richard Clarke,
Revd David McComb, Revd Graham Hare & Archdeacon Andrew Forster
at the window in the sanctuary illustrating three of the "I am" sayings of Jesus.
"I am the Light of the World"
"I am the gate for the sheep"
"I am the true vine"
"Let everyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink".
"I am the Resurrection and the Life"
On Sunday 20th January, many parishioners, former parishioners and friends attended St Elizabeth’s Church, Moygashel, when The Most Reverend Richard Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh, dedicated three new stained glass windows. Mr Tony Campbell, from Campbell Glass Studio, who designed and manufactured the windows, also attended.
The window in the sanctuary depicts three of the “I am” sayings of Jesus.
The centre light, “I am the Light of the World”, is a representation of Holman Hunt’s famous painting,
‘The Light of the World’, where the figure, representing Jesus, stands with a light in his hand, knocking on an overgrown and long-unopened door, also illustrating “Behold I stand at the door and knock" This reminds us that Jesus knocks at the door of each of our hearts, waiting to be invited in to receive Him, the light of the world, into our lives.
The light on the left, depicting the sheep standing around the gate as they graze on the hillside, illustrates the saying, “I am the gate for the sheep”.
To the right, the vineyard, with grapes of differing stages of maturity, is an illustration of “I am the true vine”.
In the tracery at the top of the window, bunches of flax and two shuttles, represent the area’s famous linen industry.
In the centre of the church, one window continues the “I am” theme with the empty tomb, early on the first Easter morning, reminding us that Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life."
The three crosses remind us that, before His resurrection, Jesus had to suffer on the cross for the sins of the whole world.
The third window is of significant local interest, as it is an artist’s impression of Dungannon Park Lake and Dam, which was utilized for processing water by the Moygashel Weaving facility. This has been used to illustrate another saying of Jesus, “Let everyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink."
The small painted panel, showing the Factory, is a reminder of the importance of the linen industry in the life of the village and no doubt will arouse many memories for all its former employees.
Sincere thanks were expressed to Mr Tony Campbell and the Staff of Campbell Glass Studio, for their excellent artistic skill, creativity and attention to detail in the manufacture of these beautiful windows and to the parishioners, former parishioners and friends who so generously contributed towards their installation.
After the service, everyone enjoyed refreshments in the Church Hall.