The Covenant Window

The center of attention in our spacious new chapel is the rose window. It is a glorious explosion of color which has occasioned much comment. An anonymous donor made possible the whole project. The committee decided against commercial ready-made designs and the work of glass artisans too far away to be practical. A local glass studio was chosen and a Brooks-Howell Home resident, Sylvia Smyth, was approached to submit a design. Over the months that followed her design work was carried out in earnest. The process involved drawing the design full size, Sylvia Smyth working with the glass studio to select glass colors and quality, and finally turning the design over to the studio to cut, paint, fire, lead and all that goes into making the window. The four sections of the window were installed in early June 2003. Every section found a perfect fit thanks to the exacting labors of BHH maintenance personnel, Kyle Matthews, John Smith, and Stuart Bryan who had created the foam template. The window was the result of the labors of many. The first gathering in the new chapel after the installation of the window was the following morning when residents, staff, family, and friends gathered to celebrate the lifelong witness and ministry of Bishop Joseph Lance.

Sylvia's design is inspired by the thread of Covenant Relationship that runs through the Bible. She calls the symbols "Signs of Promise." In the window we see a dynamic circular movement. To the left, the Creator God initiates with grace the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the gift of God's Son our Savior. To the right we respond with faith, we are changed and drawn back to our Heavenly Father. We experience the Covenant Relationship in our past, present and future. Brooks-Howell Home's motto speaks to this: CALLED - SERVED - SERVING STILL.

CALLED
God initiates with grace. We respond with faith. The dove is a sign of God's gifts. We use these gifts in our response in Christian service. The Holy Spirit descended as a dove at Jesus's baptism. The flame reminds us of how God empowers people: Moses, Elijah, the Disciples, and the seven flames at Pentecost, John Wesley's "heart strangely warmed," and the UMC cross and flame emblem. The rainbow is a sign of God's mercy. All seven colors together show the fullness of creation and the many ways we know God. They combine to make pure, white light, and to make the color of mud or clay from which God formed us. It is a sign of the Covenant. The hand of the creator is seen above, in and through the holy web of creation. The gifts and fruits of the Spirit are seen as points of light in the web or net. The fishermen were called to cast their nets for more than fish alone. The hands are reminders of the everlasting arms of the faithful parent, the outstretched hand of healing, the calming hand, and the grace-filled hand.

SERVED
The butterfly represents resurrection, new life, the promise of the eternal, creation and re-creation. The fish, wheat, grapes, leaves, and vine are reminders of Christ's early miracles, provision, communion, and symbols of relationship. "I am the vine. You are the branches." The earth with the sun, moon, and stars remind us of the purpose in the universe God designed. The firmament holds signs of God's direction and guidance. To these we respond as a servant people. The fish was the cryptic sign of the outlawed early church. The first letters of the words "God's Son Our Savior" spelled "fish." The sign of the fish helped believers recognize each other. The bee and the honeycomb are also ancient symbols of the Christian community and the zeal of Christian service.

SERVING STILL
The spiral chambered sea shell reminds us of Christ's words "in my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you." God made a covenant to provide for seasons of planting and of harvest. The leaves are symbols of Christian growth in God's kingdom. They are a sign that the fruit of the harvest is coming. The earth is the Christian service arena for us and those who come after us, those who are serving still.

Sylvia believes that the designer's vision is only part of a work of art. The viewer's interpretation is also a wellspring of meaning adding to the total experience. Residents and staff were asked to share their opinions and insights to the meaning of the window for them. They were varied and Sylvia says they were enriching for her..................

One resident said the hands reminded her of the power and tenderness of God and His care of us. The dove speaks to her of "the Holy Spirit who is our Counselor, Teacher, and Guide. The one who dwells within us to fashion us into the image of Christ."

Another saw in the top half heaven, God pouring out blessings on the earth. And in the lower half, earth where we can receive these blessings, chief among them eternal life.

Another saw the butterfly as standing for transformation and transubstantiation - communion (body and blood of Jesus), (water and wine).

Another person said "The window speaks to me of the Trinity, the central doctrine of my faith. The hands of God the Father, the butterfly as the symbol of the resurrected Christ, the dove the Holy Spirit. The wheat and grapes speak to me not only of the sacrament of bread and wine but also remind me of God's daily provision for me."

A number were reminded of hymns "For the beauty of the earth," "He's got the whole world in his hands," "Amazing grace," "Great is thy faithfulness."

Several wrote in the following vein: "The window is a thing of comfort, inspiration, and beauty. Sometimes I go into the chapel and watch the light changing across the colors and highlighting just what I need to concentrate on in my time alone with my thoughts, my memories, my Lord. Jesus said 'I am the light of the world.' When I see the light coming through the window, I am drawn into praise and prayer. I am losing my sight but I can see those patterns and the colors so clearly that they often cause me to pray "The Lord is my light and my salvation."

We see the role that the window can play in our life together as we go on finding new meanings. The donor's gift will be far reaching. The gift is more than light and color. It is a sign of promise for the future and beyond. Our thanks go out to Sylvia for creating the design for the Covenant Window.

The Dedication

In a memorable morning, September 9, 2004, the staff of the Women's Division of The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and local staff and residents joined to dedicate the new Brooks-Howell Memorial Chapel. The chapel is a gift from the Women's Society and the dedication message was from Ms. Joyce Sohl, Deputy General Secretary of the Women's Division, who, using texts from I Kings and Matthew, said that this event was more a recommitment than a dedication. She spoke of the history of the first women's mission begun in Boston 135 years ago. From then on women have been and continue in mission. Places for retirement were formerly in New Jersey and California. By action of the Women's Division and Assembly in 1954 the Southeast was chosen as a place for another home, Asheville selected, and Brooks-Howell Home established. In 1993 the last residents in California came to join the Brooks-Howell family, and Brooks-Howell continues as a retirement center for deaconesses and missionaries which continues in relationship to the Division. "Women cause things to happen," Ms. Sohl said as she continued to cite the many involvements which the Division continues today in the nation and around the world. She concluded that due to rapid changes in the U.S. and internationally, the Division is reconnecting to the institutions and programs while continuing to be aware of God's call to new mission opportunities.

The program began with a welcome from Nancy Garrison, Administrator of Brooks-Howell; Connie Takamine, Women's Division Treasurer; Charlotte Clodfelter, president of the Brooks-Howell Board of Directors, and Beth Griffin, president of the Residents' Council. This was followed by a litany led by Sylvia Smyth and written by Joyce Anderegg. Ms. Takamine led the audience in the Act of Dedication. Prayers were given by former administrators, Dr. Mary Bethea and Thelma McGraw. The chaplain, Dr. Charles Turkington, gave a welcome and the benediction. The chapel was in itself a special dedication in a splendor of light from the morning sun which streamed across the interior of the Covenant Window, symbols of Signs of Promise, and drawn by Ms. Smyth. Brooks-Howell residents assisted with ushering and tours. The chapel choir, directed by Martha Strunk, sang and led in the hymns sung by the congregation. Elaine Gasser was pianist and Dr. Roberta Rice was organist. Dinner, an International Meal, for the guests from the Board and residents was served at noon. The chapel, replacing a large room on the ground floor, was open for services in June. They are held Thursday afternoons by Chaplain Turkington.

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