Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
I was raised in the Lutheran Church. When Pastor Richard Stetson of North Vancouver’s Gloria Dei Lutheran Church invited me to a dedication ceremony for the installation of their final stained glass window, I quickly accepted.

The stained glass windows of Gloria Dei have been a long-term project. The first was installed about 20 years ago, and the last just one year ago – all are by the same artist, Richard Caemmerer of Bellingham. Here is a sample of his art:

The Water Window: This feature window at Gloria Dei church has a strong baptismal theme. It displays the Lions Gate Bridge with a boat passing underneath, Burrard Inlet with the docks of North Vancouver, mountains, snow and clouds. A hint of foliage reminds one of cedars. A red ribbon represents the highway running past the church.




The Fire Window: The flaming fire window embellishes the eastward view. I am not sure of the full story behind this depiction, but my early Lutheran upbringing suggests it may have something to do with what happens to you when you are bad.


The Earth Window: This window was Gloria Dei’s most recent and final window. It features the Gaia figure cradling earth in her lap, and is intended to remind us of the need to care for all of God’s creation. Shown standing are Pastor Stetson, artist Richard Caemmere, Bishop Gerhard Preibisch, and special guest David Duke.


Pastor Stetson in deep conversation with Ralph Sultan, perhaps reminding Ralph of his Scandinavian roots.




  

[top]
to Ralph's Newsletter

>> back to top <<
To receive Ralph's newsletter, please .
To remove yourself from Ralph's newsletter, please .

If there are any problems or comments that you would like to pass along about this site, please send an
email to . This site is administered by Patrick Nepomuceno
and maintained by the West Vancouver-Capilano Association of the B.C. Liberal Party