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Dawn
Glascock
Evening
Prayer gives us the opportunity to slow
our minds, leave the worries of the day
behind, and re-connect our spirit to our
creator. To look back on the day past
and give thanks for all the blessings of
the day. As I sit each Wednesday night
in the Nave bathed in light, filtered
through lavender windows, I truly feel
God's presence. It is in saying aloud
the General Thanksgiving that I can pour
out my gratefulness to God for all that
he has given to each of us. We are
reminded in this prayer of God's desire
for us, and ours for him. This prayer
offers us much to reflect and meditate
on.
The rosary pictured was inspired by this
prayer. The colors used symbolize to me
the meaning of the General Thanksgiving.
The browns and greens in the daily beads
are reminders to me of the earth (God's
creation). In the study of Heraldry
green is used to indicate growth and
safety. The Great Thanksgiving is filled
with hope for individual growth and the
safety that can be found in our
connection to our creator. Aqua was
selected for the space beads, as this
color is representative of protection
and healing, and symbolizes what can be
found in "the giving up of our selves to
your service". The brass invitatory and
cruciform beads, etched with the rose,
are symbolic of God's "immeasurable
love."
Each of the daily offices are filled
with prayers which remind us of God's
love, but to me, none speak so
eloquently to how we all are connected
to God, each other and all of his
creation as the General Thanksgiving.
The General Thanksgiving dates to the
17th Century, having been composed by
Edward Reynolds, Bishop of Norwich, and
was included in the first edition of the
American Prayer Book.
I enjoy working with my hands and taking
photographs. My day
job as a legal assistant requires that I
travel, and I always take my
camera with me. I never pass an
Episcopal Church without stopping to see
if I can get photos of the nave,
cemetery or gardens. I have recently
learned to make Anglican Rosaries and
enjoy making them based on a given
season or specific prayer. I find the
prayers more meaningful if I write
them in Calligraphy. In addition to my
day job, I am also blessed to serve as
Verger of my church, Emmanuel Episcopal
Church, Opelika, Alabama.
Dawn Glascock
Email:
dglascock@mindspring.com
Parish: Emmanuel Episcopal Church -
Opelika, Alabama |
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