For several years, clergy and LEMs have offered intercessory prayer in a corner of the sanctuary during the Eucharist, to the side of the altar. Now, this space has become more clearly defined as a special area for prayer, with new liturgical furnishings.
The new I AM corner table, wall banners and floor covering complement the existing Prie Dieu, candle and candle holder to create a space dedicated to prayer intercession.
The prayer station follows in the Saint Barnabas tradition of unique, custom-designed artistic works featuring images that express our metanarrative church story. It is designed to convey a message of hope.
The I AM table was designed and built by Tom Baker and given to the glory of God in memory of Judy Echols. The candle holder was made by Tom Baker and given to the glory of God in memory of his mother Elsie Baker.
The banners were made possible by two donations: one from Jennifer Steege in loving memory of her parents Elizabeth and Howard Smith; the other was from the Dunlap memorial fund, given in loving memory of Charles and Nancy Dunlap by Ann Goodman, Charlie Dunlap and Bunny Hall.
The Prie Dieu rests on a blue floor covering made especially for the prayer station, given by Peggy Iacobelli in thanksgiving for the members of the Memorial Acceptance and Fine Arts Committee who worked so tirelessly to complete the Prayer Station.
All are warmly invited to a dedication of the new prayer station on Sunday, May 1, at the 10:15 service.
The I am table
The design combines the functional need for a table with the significance of I AM throughout the Bible. The design follows the graceful, curved lines of the Prie Dieu and other liturgical furnishings, with all curved edges radiused across their full thickness to enhance the aesthetics of the piece. Arranged on the tabletop are the candle with holder, anointing oil and tissue box.
The I AM element of the table design is intended to bear witness to the profound use of I AM and serve as a reminder of the Boundless Presence of God during the time of prayer.
The metal inlay of I AM into the wood top surface is reminiscent of the inlay of the Chi Rho in the altar. The I AM differs from other visual representations of faith that we use, in that the lettering itself is the symbol that expresses the love of God for us in human words. In Designing Ecclesiastical Stitched Textiles, Beryl Dean states: “The message conveyed by a work of art for the church is directed outside the material of God, and is intended to take the mind and imagination beyond the visual image. It aspires to inspire worship and to deepen awareness through symbols, which are visual and not verbal, and point to the nature of God.”
The I AM is also a visual reminder, with flowing letters, like the flowing of the Spirit. The letters are raised slightly above the surface so that one can also have a tactile response by running one’s fingers over them.
The I and AM are spaced out, spanning the entire tabletop as a visual reminder that God spans the dimensions of space – from Alpha to Omega.
I AM is found throughout the Old and New Testaments:
In the Old Testament:
Moses encounters God in the burning bush in Exodus 3:1-15. Moses wanted to have a name for God when he returned to the Israelites to tell them, “The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,” and they ask me, “What is his name?” God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ ‘Thus, you shall say to the Israelites, “I AM has sent me to you.” ‘
In the New Testament:
The gospel of John contains the majority of the I AM sayings of Jesus. It is in these sayings that Jesus offers glimpses into the nature of God to those who can hear Him. The I AM sayings reveal who Jesus is in profound ways. The synoptic gospels contain none of these sayings of Jesus.
The seven I AM sayings with a predicate in the Gospel of John:
I am the bread of life (6:35, 48, 51)
I am the light of the world (8:12)
I am the gate (10:7, 9)
I am the good shepherd (10:11, 14)
I am the resurrection and the life (11:25)
I am the way, the truth and the life (14:6)
I am the true vine (15:1,5)
There are two additional verses:
I am the one who bears witness concerning myself (8:18)
I am the one from above (8:23)
These are the “I am” sayings of Jesus that are known as sayings with a predicate. Jesus says “I am” followed by a qualifier.
There are also a number of “I am” sayings where Jesus only says “I am.” In these instances, Jesus is saying that he is God or is one with God, as God said to Moses in Exodus. All of this is intended to say that God has created us to be in a relationship with Him, yet God remains a mystery.
Additional “I am” sayings, without a predicate:
The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I am, the one speaking to you.” (4:25-26)
I am; do not fear (coming to the disciples, walking on the water). 6:20
I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am. (8:24)
When you have lifted up the Son of Humanity, then you will realize that I am (8:28)
I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am. (13:19)
They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I am” . . . They stepped back and fell to the ground. (18:5-6)
In John 8:58, Jesus, speaking to the Jews, says “Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.”
The idea of incorporating I AM into the design follows from the TAEHS forum presentations on I AM during the Fall of 2019 by Fr. Jim and the lessons on I AM in the Gospel of John TAEHS sessions.
To quote the TAEHS Gospel of John, Session Ten, group study introduction, written by Fr. Jim, “Eternal Life is not defined by these “I am” sayings, but the experience of eternal Life is described by them. Thus, the experience of eternal Life is described by such metaphors as light, bread, being shepherded, the doorway into belonging in God’s fold, etc. These “I am” sayings spring from the face-to-face gaze that is the beginning of the prologue of John and the word made flesh living “into the boson of the father” that is the end of the prologue. The prologue, therefore, explains or helps us understand how it is that Jesus, the word made flesh, can claim to be “I am.” And the “I am” sayings are the heart of Jesus’ revelation of who God is, especially who God is in relationship to humanity.”
In the book of Revelation, Jesus says “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” (Rev. 22:13)
It is interesting to note that when Peter denied Jesus, when asked if he was with Jesus, he twice said, “I am not.”
The I AM table was designed and built by Tom Baker and given to the glory of God in memory of Judy Echols. The candle holder was made by Tom Baker and given to the glory of God in memory of his mother Elsie Baker.
The banners
The new wall banners really help define the prayer station. They invite people over to the prayer station during the Eucharist for prayer and give a sense of HOPE.
The designs in the banners are meant to be positive and uplifting. The multi-colored star, the sun, the crown, the resurrected person and the cross reminds us of the power of Jesus in our lives. The colors used in the banners are intended to evoke positive emotions and blend harmoniously with the other colors in the sanctuary.
The banners also serve to link Saint Barnabas’s past with the future. The design elements for the banners are derived from the symbols found in the Ode to Joy canvas in Hutton Hall, which in turn is based on photographs of the original Ode to Joy, the textile masterpiece designed and sewn by Lee Porzio, which was hanging on the East wall in the sanctuary from 1964-2010.
The Memorial Acceptance and Fine Arts (MAFA) committee worked with artist Jason Chinn on designing the banners and provided guidelines for colors that would work with colors in the sanctuary. Jason was free to decide on each symbol’s color, arrangement and texture. A legend explaining each symbol used in the banners is displayed in Hutton Hall, next to the Ode to Joy canvas.
The banners were made possible by two donations. One was by Jennifer Steege in loving memory of her parents Elizabeth and Howard Smith. The other was from the Dunlap memorial fund, given in loving memory of Charles and Nancy Dunlap by Ann Goodman, Charlie Dunlap and Bunny Hall.
The Prie Dieu
The Prie Dieu is the oldest element of the prayer station, also known as the litany desk. It was made by Allen Ditson in 1971 and given in memory of Taylor Ross. Ditson made many of the liturgical furnishings in the sanctuary and chapel. It takes its shape from the Greek letter tau (Τ), which can be seen by viewing it from the front side. The seat cushion was designed by artist Lee Porzio, who also designed the symbols for Ode to Joy that are now seen again in the banners.
The Prie Dieu rests on a field of blue: the floor covering made especially for the prayer station. It was given by Peggy Iacobelli in thanksgiving for the members of the Memorial Acceptance and Fine Arts Committee who worked so tirelessly to complete the Prayer Station.
All are warmly invited to attend the prayer station consecration, taking place at the 10:15am service on May 1, 2022.
The combination of the banners, the I AM table, Prie Dieu, candle with holder and the custom-fitted floor covering define a space dedicated to prayer. The design of the prayer station is intended to convey a message of hope and, by God’s grace, will serve parishioners as a special place for intercessory prayer for many years to come.