Stained glass windows created at the Center for Liturgical Art at Concordia University, Nebraska were dedicated this month at Faith Lutheran Church, Ottawa, Kan. Professor Emeriti Richard Wiegmann (pictured, right) designed the windows and Mark Anschutz (left), resident artist at the center, fabricated them. Both were on hand for the dedication.
The four multi-colored windows, each approximately 47 square feet, were installed in Faith Lutheran's sanctuary in July.
Bill Eales, chairman of the building committee at Faith, explained that four stained glass windows had been in the plans since the church was built. The Center for Litrugical Art was brought on board to ensure the windows helped improve the beauty of the worship space and that they visually expressed the beliefs of the church.
"The windows truly are an expression of our beliefs through the beauty of light," said Eales.
Wiegmann explained that the first two windows consist of organic, growing forms that "suggest the blessings and riches of our created world." The third window symbolizes the Holy Spirit with descending fire and the fourth window represents the believers' response to the gifts of life received from the Father, Son and Spirit.
"We've always wanted to enrich our worship experience with not only the Word, but also music and art," said Pastor John Duran. "The Lord gave us our five senses for a reason! The beauty and theology expressed in the windows definitely adds to our services."
The Center for Liturgical Art at Concordia offers its creative resources to congregations and consults about the use of art for worship and ministry. Artists, including Concordia faculty and others from the area, design and execute the commissions.