Banner: All Creatures of our God and King
A Little Church History
By Linda Young
If you’ve ever wondered about the banner currently hanging behind the communion table at the front of the church, here is the story. It was designed and built as a congregational collaboration in 2014. Pastor Tony suggested the congregation choose a favorite hymn, discuss its meaning, and design a new wall hanging that expressed our vision of the hymn. During the summer of 2014, several “candidate hymns” (ones that might lend themselves to an artistic representation) were sung in church and considered. Late that summer the vote selected All Creatures of our God and King by William Henry Draper, based on a poem by St Francis of Assisi.
In the Fall, Elena Caruthers and I had started collecting fabric scraps from people in the congregation. Some people brought in scraps from garments and some fabrics they loved but had not used. Once we had materials, and the hymn was selected, we gathered to design the banner. After a little discussion of the hymn, we each, privately set to work to sketch something visual that embodied the hymn. No one signed their design. The anonymous designed were turned in, shuffled and hung on the wall. Each was assigned a letter. Then we voted on the design we each liked the best. The overall design receiving the most votes was done by Pastor Tony. Added to that was Darrell’s tree of life, and Alia’s singers, plus several people’s creatures. It was a true collaboration.
During the construction process. The background fabric hung in the social hall while we gathered for workshops. We had a couple of sessions of drawing patterns, cutting fabric, and pinning creatures to the banner. These were some of the people who participated. A few have passed away. Eloise Schmidt, Jim and Linda Young, Martha Colburn, Elena Caruthers, Alia Morrison, Tony Clark and Darrell Roland. Many more contributed materials.
Several memorable moments stick with me. Martha Colburn brought in a scrap from one of her mother’s favorite dresses. You’ll see a cluster of Autumn leaves near the singers on the banner. The rest of the fabric was made into a pillow for Martha to take home. One day Eloise Schmidt suggested the collection of creatures must include a serpent. She happily cut out a serpent that nearly stretched the width of the banner. A few significant looks were exchanged, and gentle suggestions made. In the spirit of Congregationalism, the work was all inclusive. A modification to help it fit met with her approval and it was added. Children drew around cookie cutters to make horses, someone designed a whale, and gradually it took shape. There were interesting problems to solve such as how to represent clouds and wind. I recall Elena spending considerable time on the Sun, and the whole banner spent several days draped over my sewing machine on the dining room table, while Jim patiently skirted around it. The new banner made its first appearance in worship in November of 2014.
If you participated in this project and I forgot, my huge apologies! And please let me know. With respect and appreciation,
Linda Young