The Artist
Judy Alison came to Eugene in 1997 from Atlanta, Georgia, to study ceramics with George Kokis at the University of Oregon, who was, coincidentally, a parishioner at St. Mary’s. One day, while shopping at the PC Market in south Eugene, she met a fellow southerner and they had a brief chat. At a later serendipitous meeting, she invited Judy to attend the Circle Service that was held at St. Mary’s. The Circle Service was a quiet, meditative, simple service that was held on Saturday evenings. Judy attended a Circle Service on August 4, 2001, and has been an active member of St. Mary’s since then.
In addition to her role as one of the Circle Service coordinators, she sang in the Liturgical Choir, served on the Building Committee, Liturgical Arts Committee, became a Lector, and since 2015 has been the staff member responsible for the Sunday and special occasion bulletins.
The Pentecost Streamers
In 2014, the Vestry approved a proposal presented by Judy for Pentecost streamers. Pentecost takes place on the 50th day after Easter. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other disciples following the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ. It marks the beginning of the Christian church’s mission to the world. The Biblical narrative describes a mighty rushing wind, a common symbol for the Holy Spirit, and tongues as of fire that rested on all those gathered there.
Judy’s concept of the banner was inspired by a photo from a Memphis church that had draped white streamers and fabric in the air above the nave from the front to the back of the church for their All Saints celebration. Judy adapted that idea for St. Mary’s nave so that four streamers would move among the eight chandeliers in a double X pattern.
The Pentecost Streamers. The diamond shape created as a result of the double X pattern is the entry point for the Holy Spirit.
Judy solicited the help of a friend who taught algebra to help her determine the length needed for each streamer. It was determined that each of the four streamers should be 90’ long, which included a 9’ drop from the chandelier to the bottom of the ribbon, as well as the amount needed to get the graceful swoop from chandelier to chandelier. Each streamer is made with a combination of ribbons in four colors, the visible colors of fire: red, orange, yellow, and purple. There are 16 ribbons in each 90’ long streamer, and they vary in width from 1/8” to 2”. Judy used a variety of types of ribbon: satin, grosgrain, organza.
Judy assembled the streamers on the floor of the Parish Hall before hanging them in the Nave. The chandeliers were not lit as they were hung, since staring into a light would have made the job very difficult. So it was a lovely surprise that, when the chandeliers were turned on for the first time, the streamers took on a lovely shimmer from the light.
Once a year, on the Feast of Pentecost, the parishioners of St. Mary’s experience the descent of the fire of the Holy Spirit, a fulfillment of Christ's purpose in coming into the world, as they sit under Judy’s Pentecost streamers.
