St Gregory's Minster, Kirkdale

The theme of my design is the Parable of the Sower [Luke 8] as requested by the donor, parishioner Gwendoline Mary Wood of Starfitts Farm, in memory of her late husband.

The sower casts the seed at the base of the window. To the bottom left is the stony ground where the seed withers under the sun, and to its right are the thorns which choke the crop. Above, two birds peck at the seed on the pathway, preventing its growth. That the crop can fail in so many ways highlights the importance of having an open heart, prepared and fertile for spiritual growth, to bring enduring faith and righteousness.

The central focus of the window is the crop of barley, intermingled with wild poppies and cornflowers, growing tall and strong in the good soil; “a crop, a hundred times more than was sown” [Luke 8:8]. Among the stalks and flowers are a honeybee, a butterfly and a field mouse.

Above the crop is a dove, the familiar symbol of the Holy Spirit coming to all those who heed the word of God and live good Christian lives; “the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop” [Luke 8:15]. The reference ‘Luke 8:15’ can be seen within the barley stalks to the left of the crop.

At the base of the window the inscription reads
In loving memory of Edward C Wood Who faithfully served this Minster
Lettering by Tracey Sheppard FGE.