window

106:365

** all photos by Elaine A. Russell


When I lived in Coudersport, I was an active member of the First United Presbyterian Church. Growing up in a small town... church was a very important part of daily life. I was fortunate to learn alot of self discipline... as well as the importance of helping out others as much as we are able to... whilst going there. I was in Sunday school as a child, and by the age of 12, was singing weekly in the choir. I helped with various roles, taking turns as a Deacon and helping with services. I sang for weddings... and I played my flute for many services and special events.... things like that. I was also very active in the church community.... helping elderly and/or sickly people with their cleaning and cooking and such.

The First United Presbyterian Church is the oldest church in Coudersport. The congregation originally met in houses and in a store front... until the church building as I know it... was built in 1850. It continues to be a very impressive structure today, as it no doubt was in the past.

While the congregation enrollment has fluctuated over the years... the enthusiasm of its members has not. They continue to be active in charitable works; both locally and worldwide.

The building is gorgeous. I have always admired the beauty of the church... from it's extensive woodworking and carved panels.... to the stunning stained glass windows... it is fabulously impressive. It is also well known for it's working pipe organ -- one a a select few left.
One of the things I really like.... is that they light up the sanctuary at night so that the glow from the windows looks out upon the town....
And, in 2007, there was an electronic musical system set up so that a few times each day; music is heard from the bell tower... "the chimes are part of the congregation's effort to sound a spiritual message of encouragement and hope."
So... the other day I had the opportunity to take some photos inside.
These are a few of the results.....





---------------> close up of the "Rose" window




-----> close up of the "Good Shepherd" window


-------> a reflection of one of the windows in a mirror


Links:

A short history of Potter County: here

A 2007 news article on the installment of a music system in the bell tower: here

Presbyterian Church USA link: here

Info on the connection between Ghost Ranch, NM and the Presbyterian Church: here

the manic wolf

----------------------------in the window of Mariposa Gallery -----------

--------------------------in the window of Old World Imports-----------

-----------------------close-up of a mural at Annapurna's Chai House ---
---------------------------------------------photos by Elaine A. Russell

So -- if you know me, you know I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythmatosis about 16 1/2 yrs ago. Most days I am fine. About once a week, I get a fever, chills, headache, some kind of crappy thing, etc and ache all over. Today ( and yesterday ) is one of those days.
I'm not complaining. There are certainly people who have it worse, and I know several.

I mention it only in the sense that ... today I am home, drinking some hot coffee, and enjoying listening to the wind outside.
Here are some photos that I took on Sunday... of the Nob Hill area on central ave.

have I mentioned the windows ?




-----------------------------------------------------photos by Kristin and Elaine Russell

Sorry for not posting yesterday. Things were a little crazy. Any time you are part of a group of people you are bound to run into personality conflicts and a little drama. Yesterday was one of those days.
If you belong to any group.. you know what I mean. Now personally, I would not say a group of artists would not be any different; but there are some who would sigh and disagree. More drama than usual... some would say.
At any rate.. things are starting to quiet down.. and perhaps things can go "as usual" for a few days.
Now -- don't misunderstand. I absolutely love being part of an artist community.. and wouldn't trade it for anything. One of the perks of being in this group is the energy and excitement you get when talking with artists about the creative process. For the past couple of days I have had the opportunity to work a bit with the creative souls that do our window displays. They are fantastic. Where they come up with some of the ideas.. I don't know.
Our grand opening window was a colorful mix of a selected art piece from each of our founding members. Imagine 20 -some pieces of art in one huge window. Black backdrop and red accents. Coolness.
The Day of the Dead theme show window was amazing. We had life size sculptural renderings of a skeleton wedding party. Accented with Dia de Las Muertos papercut flags and flowers.
The "What's in the Box" theme for December was carried out with elaborate styrofoam snowflakes, faux snow, a winter goddess cloaked in her winter finery and these really cool boxes with pictures in them that glowed from within. Hard to explain.. but I will try to upload photos.

So-- here we are for the Chinese New Year theme...and it is coming along nicely. There is an antique costume cloaked mannequin with a vintage paper umbrella, as well as lanterns and RAIN. Yes, faux rain.
WOW.