NEW CHURCH BANNER TO BE BLESSED BY BISHOP
A new processional church banner has been created by local Rusthall crafters for St Paul’s 175th Anniversary which will be blessed by the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Dr Jonathan Gibbs on Sunday, 18th May at 4pm at the Parish church.
Members of the embroidery and knitting groups who meet at Rusthall Library, along with local members of the Embroiders Guild from the village, have worked on a design by Rusthall crafter, Sue Davidson.
Sue Davidson
Alongside the Tree of Life, Sue has included various elements of our church to create a banner which celebrates life at St Paul’s.
The history of church banners is thought to have begun when early Christians would worship in secret due to persecution and they provided a means of discreetly identifying clandestine meeting places. As Christianity grew, they were used in processions and ceremonies to signify religious events and honour sacred occasions. During the Medieval period scenes from the Bible, saints and martyrs, became commonplace and rich materials were used. Guilds of craftsmen such as blacksmiths, stonemasons and weavers would commission banners featuring their patron saint or symbolic imagery to strengthen their role in society.
In more modern times, church banners have become increasingly diverse in style and materials and more contemporary art forms have been introduced. Our new banner for the Parish church, although orthodox in style, has modern elements. It is designed to communicate our identity, to show our unique character, but at the same time incorporates traditional symbols to remind us of our shared faith and purpose. It is a beautiful piece of work which will be a marvellous addition to our church.
We are so very fortunate that we have had the donated talents of so many people to create something quite unique and beautiful.