The Story of the Sand Tables From Pastor Elizabeth
When Cooper retired we celebrated his forty-three years of ordained ministry with a trip to Norway. We visited Wiggen, Cooper’s ancestral village.
We also went to Trondheim and experienced worship at St Olaf cathedral. One of the powerful gifts of that worship was a sand table designed for slender tapers. Those in worship were invited to light a taper as a way to indicate their prayer.
I went home and asked some fabulous craftsmen at Rochester Christ UMC if they could design sand tables for our two worship centers. They did.
After I was a week or so into ministry at Hennepin I learned about the ministry of the Recyclers. Every week the Recyclers meet to do things like make sure the sanctuary doors close and other important issues that arise in a ministry plant as complex as Hennepin’s.
I told the Recyclers about the sand tables and wondered if such a thing – or two – could be created for Hennepin.
They agreed that it could be done.
Little did I understand the power of artistry and heart poured into this gift.
You can see by the pictures that the design is meant to be coherent with the beauty of our worship space. The pieces that will adorn the sides of the sand table are carved. By hand.
Each whorl and detail is love made visible. This Sunday, June 16 of 2024, we dedicated these tables.
Thank you to the Recyclers: Craig Pier, Rich Bartel, Bruce Arones, John McKeand, Barry Fox, Lee Carlson and John Haberman.