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On Sunday 5 December 1999, the new Hanging was raised and dedicated at St Mary’s. In 1997, Meriel Tilling was asked to consider helping to produce a long hanging for a pillar at the central crossing of the church. She had designed and made the four pulpit falls and was also concerned with designing the Christmas hanging. Members of the congregation who were interested in the project provided a list of possible themes, with the overriding feeling that they liked both the colour and style of the red pulpit fall. From those ideas, the theme of our pilgrimage in the presence of the Holy Spirit was chosen. The hanging depicts the pilgrim path of the people of God, starting at the foot of the cross. The cross was strangely, perhaps even shockingly, a late addition, but our pilgrimage could mean nothing without it. The minister had a childhood memory of a chorus which emphasises the cross as our starting point. Meriel also remembers a well- loved but not often sung hymn - “Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land.” As well as our pilgrimage toward that greater light, she wanted to emphasise the Holy Spirit the Comforter (John 14 vs 16 & 26) who is ever present to help us on our journey. Because the hanging is a celebration of the glory of God in colour and intention, we have included, around the dove, the clouds of glory which will surround Christ at his second coming (Mark 13 v 26) when the whole earth will be filled with his glory (Psalm 72 v 19). Meriel said “To see the completed hanging suspended from the south-east pillar of the crossing will, I am sure, bring much pleasure and satisfaction to the team who spent many hours, weeks and months in sewing it all together. I have no idea how many stitches are incorporated in the hanging but there must be many, many thousands. It was a privilege and pleasure for me to work with such a willing and dedicated group.” In thanking the congregation of St Mary’s who had played their part in the creation by supporting the Bring & Buy Sale and Coffee Morning etc. to help fund the project, she said, “We are all pilgrims as we travel on this journey of life with, and towards the cross, and I pray that the hanging will bring pleasure, inspiration, solace and peace to all pilgrims who visit and worship in the beautiful church of St Mary’s.”
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