Our Crosses

This gift was a gift to a person moving through the ‘dark days’ of cancer treatment. It is the blending of three traditions: the nourishing motif of the Welsh Love Spoon, the interconnectedness of life within the Celtic Knot motif, and the theology of the Tlingit people in the carving of the moon and raven. It simply says, “in times of darkness there is a small light that comes as a gift.” (see Cross of Light)

This Cross was made as a gift for the St. Paul Catholic High School in Bristol, Connecticut. It uses the traditional symbols associated with St. Paul (the sword and the open Bible). I added two extra symbols that speak to the ‘spirit of community’ – the value of relationships formed at school symbolized by the circle of hands in the upper left corner and the pinwheel that symbolizes the power of a community moved by the Holy Spirit. I used eight different woods on this cross.

This is a replica of the cross that is on the top of the dome of the Marquand Chapel at Yale Divinity School. The two woods used are cherry and pau amarello, This cross is available at the Yale Divinity Student Book Supply.

Stethoscope Cross

The request was to design a cross with a stethoscope being ‘worn’ on the cross much like a doctor would wear the stethoscope. This was designed to celebrate how a person would listen to both the heart and the soul.

A choir commissioned this Star of David and Pink Ribbon as a gift to be given their beloved director as she began a new round of breast cancer therapy. The Star of David is made from a myrtle burl from north of Jerusalem. The ribbon is an exceptional piece of  wood called Pink Ivory.

The Knights of Columbus have a very intricate emblem. I designed this cross for a Chapter who was celebrating their 100th anniversary. The woods include Pau Amerello (yellow), Satine (red), Holly (white) and the dark background is Wenge (unfortunately there is no wood that is the color blue). The cross is white oak with the plaque being made of Ash. The Cross is 12 inches.

The request was to make a Kitchen Cross that is 12 inches with some extra personality. Using the Celtic knots of the Welsh Love Spoons, I used the “Infinity Knot” at the top of the spoon to symbolize the universal need to be fed in tangible and substantive ways by the Love of God. It is a reminder to Christians that we are to follow Christ’s command when he said, “Feed my sheep.” – no matter who they are or where they may be. The Truth carried within the “Infinity Knot” speaks to people of faith.

Cross of the First Presbyterian Church of Holt, Michigan

The design of this cross is based on the windows that adorn the front of the church building. The clear glass and the unique ‘pyramid’ combine to draw the attention of the people away from themselves and ‘out’ into the world for that is where ministry happens. This cross is given to newly elected/ordained elders and deacons.

Cross of the Camino de Saniago

For pilgrims traveling the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain, the scallop shell points the way. I was asked to design a cross for a family who was making this pilgrimage. The yellow scallop shell (pau amerello) is fitted into an olive wood medallion. This is then set into a cross made of Satine.

Star of David

The question: Do I do things other than crosses? Answer: Yes! I chose 2 woods from the Jewish scriptures. The Star of David is made of olive wood. One triangle is made of the sapwood (plain) while the second triangle is made from the heartwood of the olive tree (marbled grain). The 12 pegs are turned from Cedar of Lebanon; the wood used by King Solomon to build the Temple in Jerusalem. The challenge was the complex joinery is this relatively simple symbol of faith.

Example

He always sang 'you are my sunshine' for his wife. After he died, their daughter asked me to make a cross for her mother celebrating his life and their marriage. Apple wood is thought to have the essence of love and healing within it. The sun is made of a yellow wood called Pau amerillo.

Shelter Cross

This is a modified Shelter Cross that I designed for an Adult Mission Trip from New Hampshire who went to Louisiana to work in the restoration efforts after Hurricane Katrina. I used Bald Cypress (State Tree of Louisiana), White Birch (State Tree of New Hampshire) and olive (the roof).

This is a replica of the Northern Illinois Synod Bishop’s Cross that was originally part of  the Augustana Lutheran Church (Swedish). The woods in this cross are Ceylon Satinwood, Lignum Vitae and Purpleheart.

This is a collection of 12 and 18 inch crosses commissioned by the Greenwich Presbyterian Church. These were used in the Dedication Service of a new addition to their church building. Each cross was selected for a particular room.

This cross is hung in the music room of the Greenwich church. It uses purpleheart and a spectacular piece of curly maple. The music and words were cut from the same piece of curly maple.

The challenge: To find a way to include a Star of David and a Cross in a wedding present that celebrates an interfaith marriage. Answer: A Welsh Love Spoon that affirms how a couple (symbolize by the two interlocking wedding rings) is fed by both faith traditions. The wood used for this spoon is a ‘flame cut’ birch.