If you visit St James Church in Taunton, you will be fortunate to see the first in a series of banners created by a group of church members.
The stunning banners based on the theme of ‘Fruits of the Spirit' as listed in the New Testament (Galations 5:20) are the inspiration of artist Pat Preater. Pat has designed most of the banner collection at the church, but the creation of banners there goes back to the 1980s. The first ones were made by a team of church members at a similar time to the creation of the Christmas crib figures and backdrop which are still used in the church to this day. While packing the crib figures away after Christmas, it was noted that many of them needed a bit of TLC, and while the group was doing this, Pat shared an idea that had been building within her, of creating some new hangings for the church pillars. Over the last year, Pat has been painting bookmarks, each one based on meditating over a word, such as a’ Fruit of the Spirit’. While designing and painting these, she found that the ‘doing of it’ was like tending a plant in a garden. A group of church members then worked from Pat's beautiful sketches, transforming the bookmarks into long banners to adorn the pillars at St James.
Pat says, ‘ The bookmarks translated well into eight-foot long banners, and the church pillars are an ideal hanging place. I was quite overwhelmed to see the new banner raised to its position as I watched after seeing it on the kitchen table for so long! The words will always bring to mind the promises of God.’
Vicar at St James, the Rev Fabian Wuyts commented, 'I am deeply grateful to Pat and her team for the beautiful banners created for the church around the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Their creativity, care, and prayerful craftsmanship enrich our worship and will inspire all who see them.'
Another church in the diocese that has a beautiful new banner on display is Bawdrip Church. The banner, which was made and donated by Lorna, who lives in the village is based on Jeremiah 3:1 - I have loved you with an everlasting love. Lorna approached the PCC asking if she could make a banner for the church as part of a course she was doing. She says that she was inspired to make the banner after visiting other churches and her aim is to, ‘make the church look like it's a living church, which it is, despite it being a cold building.’
Who wouldn’t feel warmer after looking at these beautiful creations! If you’d like to share a story about your church with us, please email: comms@bathwells.anglican.org