Picture Gallery . . .
The Sacraments Windows . . .
This set of four superb windows - the generous gift of Trevor Watts - has been installed in the South Trancept. The designs, which are the work of Melbourne artist Kim Lester, were approved by the parish and the Archbishop. (Kim is the son of our Organist and Choir Master, John Lester.)
Kim was invited by the Vicar to create a set of windows that depict a sustained meditation on the two sacraments - baptism and Holy Communion - as the south transcept houses the font, and is the entrance to the chapel, where the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ is reserved. He was asked to ensure the designs were contemporary, reflecting Australian themes and colours.
In the right hand window, strong waves of water provide a dynamic baptism symbol, echoing both the Red Sea waters, and Australian ocean beaches. The water symbol, however, does not continue into the other windows, unlike the Eucharist themes. This is to emphasise the fact that Baptism is a once only event, while Holy Communion nourishes the life of the church until the end of time.
A clearly-defined cross centred by a golden ball that is both sun and host anchors both sacraments in the Easter event. The persistent imagery of circles throughout all four windows emphasising the unity created by the Eucharist, together with the hosts and the wheat, is a depiction of the prayer from the Didache, now taken up in the new A Prayer Book for Australia: ' As this broken bread was once many grains, which have been gathered together and made one bread, so may your church be gathered from the ends of the earth into your kingdom'. Further Eucharistic symbols are the bunches of grapes, and the chalice.
A magnificent River Red Gum - the tree of life and a symbol of the future restoration in Christ of the new creation - flourishes in the far left window. The small bush animals emphasise the peace in nature promised at the coming of the kingdom in the book of Isaiah.
Overall, the windows offer a profound theological statement of baptism in Christ, the continual gathering of the baptised into one in the bread of Holy Communion, and the promise of the new life in Christ, in creation redeemed. The windows were appropriately installed at Easter 1997, when we celebrate new life in the risen Christ. They were dedicated by the Primus of Scotland, Bishop Richard Holloway on 11th May 1997.
