THE NEW MAIN WINDQW (1996)

Designed by Margaret Traheme ARCA the window depicts in symbols ST CUTHBERT'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE, from the time he first experienced a heavenly vision while watching his flock of sheep in the hills, and decided to dedicate his life to God's service! Cuthbert lived from 634-687 AD, and was one of the early Christian missionaries to Northumbria and became bishop of the great Benedictine abbey of Lindisfarne (or Holy Island). He is one of the most venerated English saints, who brought the gospel to Northumbria and was posthumously hailed as a miracle worker.

In the lower part of the window, the SHEPHERD'S CROOK depicts this and also his later life as a church pastor and bishop. The dark blue glass in the foreground is a reminder that Lindisfarne is cut off from the mainland much of the time, and among the abundant marine life there can be seen representations of the handlike sea anemones unique to the area called 'St. Cuthbert's beads'.

Moving up the window, the solid, bold shapes symbolise the steadfast quality of his life, as he taught and comforted others while still maintaining a disciplined life himself and a close personal walk with <span style="font-size: 1rem;">God. The DOVE represents Cuthbert’s spirit reaching upwards to God.</span>

The colours of the upper part of the window symbolise Cuthbert's love for God the passionate red colour, and the purity of blue, with the CROSS of Jesus central over all.

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

It was felt that such a big and dominating window (18 feet tail) needed to be open to plenty of interpretations rather than be simply 'pictorial'.

Therefore you may well see other things in the design – for example, the unity of God's creation in the sea, on land and in the air (which featured largely in Cuthbert’s thinking and in the outlook of the Celtic church, and is of course a modern concern too). Also the universal application of the main symbols – the SHEPHERD'S CROOK representing the church and the leadership of 'Gods flock' on earth, the empty CROSS representing Jesus crucified, risen and reigning in glory, and the DOVE representing the Holy Spirit connecting the life of heaven to earth, and helping God's people respond in prayer.

The colours were chosen also to enrich the plain interior of the church, giving plenty of light, while dealing with the old glare problem caused by the fact that the church faces (unusually) south. On a sunny winters day, the entire church floor is bathed in colour.

WHY ST. CUTHBERT?

Rye Park is rather a long way from Northumbria, why is our church dedicated to St. Cuthbert?

Most 'St. Cuthbert’s are to be found in the North of England not surprisingly! However, when this church was named, the vicar at the time was very impressed by St. Cuthbert’s life and all he stood for, and so we became 'St Cuthbert's'!