Light of the word

"Sometimes even places of worship need a face lift. This week, a new set of windows has left Port Madison Lutheran Church feeling bigger, better and full of light. The sanctuary has a brand new look, Pastor Ron Hoyum said.When the cracks in the sanctuary's 40-year-old windows suggested that replacement was necessary, Hoyum welcomed the opportunity to enhance the building.The glass design is both biblical and Bainbridge, he said.The natural images selected to adorn the 10 new opaque, fused-glass windows were chosen either for their religious significance or because they grow on the island. Committee members and Bainbridge Island's Messolini Glass Studio collaborated with the congregation to select plants like Narcissus, holly, blackberries and grape for the windows' motifs."

“Sometimes even places of worship need a face lift. This week, a new set of windows has left Port Madison Lutheran Church feeling bigger, better and full of light. The sanctuary has a brand new look, Pastor Ron Hoyum said.When the cracks in the sanctuary’s 40-year-old windows suggested that replacement was necessary, Hoyum welcomed the opportunity to enhance the building.The glass design is both biblical and Bainbridge, he said.The natural images selected to adorn the 10 new opaque, fused-glass windows were chosen either for their religious significance or because they grow on the island. Committee members and Bainbridge Island’s Messolini Glass Studio collaborated with the congregation to select plants like Narcissus, holly, blackberries and grape for the windows’ motifs.Through offerings and other fund-raising, the $10 000 necessary to complete the project was raised.Designers Diane Bonciolini and Gregg Mesmer said they hope the new windows will make the sanctuary a fresh and tranquil place to contemplate a sermon. Bonciolini said the greatest challenge was choosing a visual representation of Bainbridge small enough to fit in the triangular section at the top of the windows. I wanted to create something simple, special and pleasing to the eye, she said.Artists and congregation alike said they were satisfied with the results of the project, which the Rev. Hoyum described as a labor of love. Congregation members agree that the church has received a fresh lease of life.It was the second significant change at the church in the last year and a half. Late 1998 saw the installation of a hand-crafted pipe organ in the sanctuary.The windows really let the sun shine in, said the Rev. Lori Hoyum.”