Altar Cushions

“Care and Nourish”: founder of the American Dietetic association; a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables to feed the hungry; the mirror of perfection with the refiner’s fire and the dates of her life; 1910-1966; the maker’s mark of Pieter Visscher (ancient). the caduseus.

The chalice of wine for the blood of Christ, the wafer for the body of Christ. “Keep the Feast”: the grapes for the wines and the wheat for the wafer. “Unto the Least of These”: receiving the blessing of the Eucharist and sharing the cup with others.

“Praise his marvelous works”! Man and woman, animals, birds and fishes, the four seasons wiht their weather, the sky, the earth, the DNA double helix, the Ying and Yang (maker’s mark).

“Credo. I believe. Dare. Risk. Grow”: the breastplate of righteousness, the shield(s) of faith, the shoes of preparation for the gospel of peace, the belt of truth, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God (Ephesians 6: 14-17). the torch and the candle standing on hill for all to see (maker’s mark).

“The Power and the Glory”: God’s Hands blessing and protecting us; the ancient shekinah with His All-Seeing Eye in a rayed cloud against a triangle for the Trinity, and the Hebrew word Yahweh.

“Lore and Change”: the Hearth within the Ten Commandments: our Graeco-Hebraic heritage symbolized by the Greek temple and the Hebrew Menorah (7-branch candlestick); the scale of justice symbolized by waters flowing down; the Alpha-Mu- Omega: As it was, is now and ever shall be (maker’s mark).

The Seal of Ann Arbor with the Lamp of Wisdom for the University of Michigan founded in 1817. The Seal of the Diocese of Michigan, founded in 1835, with the Bishop’s miter, pine cones and water. The Seal of the State of Michigan, established in 1835 with a deer, moose, eagle, the rising sun over the land and the man. Baptism shell and bishop’s crook for Confirmation (maker’s mark).

The dove as the gift of the Holy Spirt coming out of the eye of the whirlwind; the Great Ship of Souls on the water of baptism; the shell of baptism and he fish to symbolize souls.

“Come Holy Spirit”: the Tree of Life aflame with the Spirit; the Dove descending with a hot coal to purify our tongues; the eagle to symbolize our ascending through the Spirit; the elements of wind and lightening to characterize the coming of the Holy spirit; the fruits of the Spirit surrounding the two birds.

The caduseus for Dr. Wisdom, donor of the land, with one of her cats and her dates, 1885-1965. The stole for the Rev. Philip Schenk, the first vicar, and his dates, 1882-1968. The Greek revival house and the first chapel, which Dr. Wisdom gave to the parish, the church bell, the net of fishes for the Rev. Schenk, he fisher of souls. People reaching out to build a house of faith (maker’s mark).

Christ’s monogram of the Chi-Rho within rays of light; two figures: the Incarnation – God in Man and the Crucified Christ glorious in His resurrection; five small crosses for his wounds.

“Fulfill My Joy”: children dancing above a garland of olive branches; the almond tree of joy; the bluebird of happiness and the donor’s dog Mike; musical instruments to make a joyful sound; a garland of fruit, vegetables and flowers above the streams of life giving water.

Philos, the love of friends; the lion and lamb amid pansies and rosemary; Agape and Charis, God’s love and grace; the Sun, its rays of light, the cross and the crown; Eros, human giving of the self to another human; the moon within a garland of roses.

“Shalom”: Hebrew for the word “peace,” the handclasp of brotherhood and the scales of justice. “Pacem in Terris” and “Pax”: Latin words for “peace on earth” and “peace” with the United Nations Seal and olive branches. Footsteps for the shoes of peace. The dove of peace, flying amid narcissus, the flower of peace an “I” on the back of the dove: “Let there be peace, beginning with me.” The sword beaten into a plowshare (maker’s mark).

“Earth might be fair”: the map of Michigan and surrounding Great Lakes, the family, friendly animals, fish and birds, evil and death in the fly and the frog. Maker’s mark of water drops.

“Yes, Yes, Yes”! The joyful person realizing his rebirth; the infinity sign against the triangle of the Trinity; butterflies for redemption; our sins hung on the Cross; Gods’s Hand sheltering the lost lamb; the Prodigal Son welcomed back by the father.

The palm and olive branches with St. Clare’s dates: 1194-1253. The hand of St. Clare holding the Eucharistic chalice and water to ward off the Saracens attempting to invade Assisi, Italy. The mirror of perfection with the fleur de lis and the refiner’s fire. The thread and needle to show St. Clare’s patronage of needlewomen (maker’s mark).

The great ship “Oukemene” with festive flags, and anchor of hope and a shield depicting the Tower of Strength; a shield of St. Andrew’s cross, the mother church, which established this new mission in 1953; a shield of the beehive (the Church and its workers) with the English Tudor Rose for the Anglican mother Church.

“Logos”: Christ said, “I am the Word.” The scroll of the Scriptures against the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God surrounded by the word in film; “Deo Gratias” (Thank God) against radar, the Seven Seals and radio waves; a communications satellite against computer tape; a heart on the Ten Commandments.

“Rejoice, Rejoice”! Angles celebrating: the infinity sign; the solar system with the signs of the Zodiac; a comet in its orbit; an arrow pointing to our planet; the constellation Orion; the atom and the nucleus; the infinity sign in a heart (maker’s mark).

“Celebrate Life”: the beneficent tree sheltering birds and animals; Work: symbols of daily work – the home, the book of businesses and professions, the lamp of learning, the tractor, children’s bikes; Play:symbols of recreation – sailboat, skis, football, first Model A., roads and beaches; apples (a Michigan product) at different stages; time running out in hourglasses.

“Reach out. Touch someone.” Hands of caring, the rich grape wine of concern; the cherry tree of sweet, good works; St. Paul’s mission to the world (his sword); our footsteps for “…such good works as Thou hast prepared for us to walk in.”