Priest in Charge of Holy Trinity, Acaster Malbis (south of York), the Revd Lucy Brencher, remembers her mum quoting, ‘your eyes are the windows to your soul; make sure they are always smiling!’
In March this year a new window was installed in Holy Trinity Church. Situated above the mediaeval East Window, it is a star, its colours and design fitting well with the old glass beneath.
Archbishop Stephen dedicated the window on Sunday 25th June during a special Service of Communion.
“We hope the window will metaphorically ‘smile’ from the inside of our church out into our community,” said Lucy, “and as a star led those seeking the Christ child to meet him in Bethlehem, I pray that God will work in and through the witness and love and life of our church, and guide people into a living faith with Jesus Christ.”
She adds, “Windows in churches are special. There is something very prayerful and peaceful sitting in an ancient church when the light streams in through the coloured glass. Stained glass was and is used to beautify a space that is set apart for worshipping God.
“In medieval times, when literacy was low, stained-glass windows also taught the stories of the Bible using pictures, a wonderful way to engage people in God’s story.
“At night walking past a church which is lit from the inside, the windows are colourful and vibrant – they shine with the hope of Christ in the darkness.”