The third window behind the font shows John. He and his brother James were also fishermen. They were mending nets when they were called by Jesus to follow him.



Stained glass window showing St John

The name John is associated with five New Testament writings: the Fourth Gospel, three letters and Revelation, the last book in the Bible.

Each of these describes the choices facing every human: right or wrong, light or darkness, good or evil, life or death. In making their choices Christians are influenced by this verse from John's Gospel:

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. ( St John , chapter 3 verse 16)

John knew what a difference Jesus can make in a person's life:

To all who received him [Jesus], who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.
( St John , chapter 1 verse 12)

John proclaimed his message whatever the opposition. Legend tells us that, in Ephesus , he was challenged by a high priest of the goddess Diana to drink a cup of poison. He did - and was unharmed. Because of this he is pictured carrying a cup which contains a dragon.

 

Nave

Picture of the Nave Roof

The area of the church where the main seating is found is called the ‘nave'. The word comes from the Latin word for a ship. The roof timbers make the whole building look a bit like an upside down boat.

Boats were significant in the life of Jesus. He once used a boat as a platform to teach from:

Jesus got into a boat belonging to Simon and asked him to pull a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat . (St Luke, chapter 5 verse 3)

Jesus used boats to cross the Sea of Galilee . On at least one occasion he amazed his companions by stilling a storm at sea:

Who is this, they wondered, that he commands even the winds and the water and they obey him?
(St Luke, chapter 8 verse 25)

The Church is often pictured as some kind of ship: an ark preserving the faithful, a ferry carrying people on their journey, a trawler catching new Christians, a lifeboat sent out to rescue people in danger, a pleasure boat in which they enjoy themselves.

At different times, for different people, our church community can seem like all of those things.

 

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