A VERY SPECIAL GIFT

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever," said the 19th-century English poet. Muhlenberg Lutheran Church has reason to believe that is so. In addition to the beauties of our nave, given by many devoted members in the past, we now rejoice at the acquisition of two paintings by Dr. Crystal Theodore, noted local artist and educator, long associated with James Madison University. The paintings join another that she gave to our congregation at an earlier time. "The Annunciation" has hung in a reverent place of honor for some time in our Library. Now that quiet space is further enhanced by the two new gifts received in November. Here is what Dr. Theodore says about these two significant works of religious art:

A Memorial Gift

Both paintings were given to Muhlenberg Lutheran Church by the artist, Crystal Theodore, in memory of her parents, Florence B. and James V. Theodore.

"No Other God" "No Other God" depicts a furious Moses destroying the golden calf. Woven into the background are Hebrew letters for the words "Thou shalt have no other god before me." The painting is of oils on Belgian linen; and is 63" high and 31" wide.

"The Death of Jesus" "The Death of Jesus" depicts the twelfth of the fourteen Stations of the Cross and was painted as an entry into a national juried competition sponsored by Grace-St.Luke’s Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tennessee for Lent. The painting was unanimously selected by the jurors to serve as the basis for a poster for the exhibition, which remained on view from February 25th through April 12th 1998. It was also selected as one of twenty works to be placed in the nave. The painting was executed in oils on a wood panel coated with gesso. Symbols include: (a) the sparrows mentioned in Matthew 10:29 - "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father." (b) a setting sun (in Mithraic symbolism "sun" also means "sun"); and (c) the trees on Mary’s right side which show a faint green, the symbolic color for life. The painting is 53" high and 25" wide.

"The Annunciation" Some years ago, Dr. Theodore gave us her painting called "The Annunciation". We see Mary the Virgin opening wide her arms to accept the gift announced by the Dove of the Holy Spirit. Notice that her arms and the wings of the heavenly messenger enclose Mary's head and the symbolic Dove in a heart-shaped space. We can also observe that both a shadowy communion chalice and a cross seem to veil and enclose much of Mary's body.