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"It started with a need, a woman's persistence and a man's talent.
Something was missing from the large wall in the new sanctuary.
A cross. Reverend Thomson said the church's building committee prayed about it and that 'it came about in a miraculous way'. The committee consisted of Pastor Peter Thompson, Assistant Pastor Emily W. Koehler, and Co-chairwoman Marjorie Sebring. Marjorie started attending woodcarving conventions out of the state. After a year of hunting, she had not found the right person for the job. In February 2001, she went to the Calusa Club's wood carving convention in New Port Richey, where she met David Tabor.
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'I could tell that whatever he did, his heart and soul was in it,
and he was doing it for joy,' Sebring said. Although reluctant at
first, Sebring's enthusiasm and persistence persuaded him to talk to
the committee and then to agree." From the September 8, 2001 Pasco County Times article by Angela Miller-Hood The artist presented nine original sketches and many photos of carved crosses. The final design, which is a variation of one of the sketches, was a collaboration by the artist and the team. It is a traditional design that incorporates historic carving techniques. The Cross suspended over the |
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| communion table was delivered by the artist in August 2001. The Cross is three feet wide, five feet high, and weighs 48 pounds. It is built in a multi-level arrangement that provides shadow lines. The back and sides are black walnut stained to a rich reddish brown. Inside the walnut is red oak left its natural color. The center is carved bass wood that is lightly stained to a tone midway between walnut and oak. These three elements have the striped effect of the church logo. The carving is a deeply incised design using "chip carving" techniques that date to Celtic times. The design, separated at intervals by rosettes, evokes the biblical loaves and fishes. |