Pictured above is my artistic expression of a stained glass window in the sanctuary of Montgomery United Methodist Church where I was a pastor. The painting is done in mixed media and collage, and looks somewhat Iike the window, but not exactly.  Rather than try to make it look just like the window, I wanted the painting to express my feelings about worship, about the light coming through the window, about the doves and what they mean in scripture and in liturgical art.  I wanted to express the passion evoked by the window which sits high above the altar.  How is God present here?

In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is manifested in the form of a dove.  When Jesus was baptized the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, coming to rest on him.  And God said, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3: 16-17).

There is a special memory for me of the doves at this church.  We had completed a new building which was wonderful, but also contained many challenges along the way to its completion.  I can laugh about it now.  The deep commitment and joyful presence of the people in this church made that journey one of my greatest memories as a pastor.

The day finally came for dedication of the building.  Someone had known of a dove we might release as part of the ceremony.  Sounded great!  That morning this person came up to me and said, “The doves are here! (Notice PLURAL).  You, pastor, will be handed the lead dove.  Do what you want with it, then set it free and the whole flock will then be released to follow!”  Oh my gosh!….my mind was instantly going 90 miles a minute. I began having a conversation with my deeper self.   Had I ever held a real bird before? ( Well, maybe that pet parakeet you had in a cage in your room growing up, but not even certain about that.)  And what will I do with the bird when I hold it?  (Talk to it!)  OK, but what will it do with me? It might poop on me, you know, scared!  (Yes, it might.  Best not to wipe it on your clergy robe.)  Where will it fly when I let it go?   What if it hangs around under the Pavilion with all those people?  (You know this church. They will laugh and enjoy it!)  What about the whole flock?  What will they do?  (Better say a prayer.)

The moment arrived.  I was handed the dove.  Immediately a powerful peace filled my hands and flooded my entire body.  The bird was so very still.  I knew I was holding a holy moment which I just wanted to capture in my heart forever.  The bird and I stayed in that moment and held it together.  Then I lifted the dove up high, opened my hands, and set it free.  The dove flew up into the heavens along with the fluttering of an entire flock close in formation.  You could hear the sound of the Holy Spirit as the doves flew up into a bright blue sky.  They circled around the cross sitting high upon the white steeple of the sanctuary, and then they all disappeared into eternity.

We all somehow heard the majestic voice of God whispering deep within our souls…”You are my children, and with you I am well pleased.  You make me happy!”

I am smiling still….

nk