Where did the Holy Family go when it was in Egypt and what did it do? Over the centuries , man y accounts developed . Now , the local traditions associated with the stops said to have been made by the Holy Family in Egypt are traced in a new book, B e Thou Th ere : The Holy Family 's Journey in Egypt (Edited by G awdat Gabra. Cairo : The American University in Cairo Press, 2001).
As in ancient times , the authors acknowledge that the exact itinerary of the Holy Family is in debate Despite that, over the millennia , many local stories developed about miraculous happenings that have become part of the traditions of the Coptic or Orthodox Church in Egypt.
Information about the Holy Family's journey comes from two sources: written references and physical manifestations, such as trees , caves, and springs that are considered to have been touched with the divine.
The writers note that among the written sources there is the gospel by Matthew (2: 13-15) in which Joseph is told to " take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt." Scholars feel that Matthew reflects an Old Testament passage , Hosea 11: 1, "Out of Egypt I have called my son," originally a quotation pertaining to the Exodus.
A post-Biblical written source noted by the authors is the Commentary on Matthew by the Roman writer Hippolytus in the early third century. Hippolytus suggested that Christ stayed in Egypt three and a half years, a Coptic tradition that has remained.
Physical manifestations resulted from some trial overcome by the Holy Family: walking in the heat of the day, they find shade under a tree that is blessed; a spring is brought forth to quench their thirst; a tree opens up to hide them when they are pursued by thieves.
Tradition suggests that from Bethlehem, the Holy Family went to Gaza, then crossed a small stream, Wadi al-' Arish, known as the River of Egypt , a natural boundary between Palestine and its neighbor, and entered Egypt.
One of the local accounts holds that when the Holy Family arrived in a place now called Sakha, a city north of Cairo, they were thirsty but found no water Then the Child Jesus touched a stone with his foot; water spouted forth, and his foot left an imprint. The place became known as Bikha /sous, "footprint of Jesus." In 1984, workers digging a hole for sewage in front of the church in Sakha found a stone believed to be the footprint of a two-three year old child. On the back pf the stone was written the word Allah in Arabic, and the stone was declared the Bikha !sous.
Another stop in the itinerary according to local traditions was Musturud, now part of Greater Cairo Here the Family found a cave that gave them shelter, and Jesus created a well that the family used for drinking, washing and bathing Today , the well is located inside the Church of the Virgin Mary where the faithful, drinking from it, believe
they will receive healing .
When the Holy Family fled to Egypt, the country was a recently acquired province of the Roman Empire. According to tradition, continuous pursuit by Herod ' s soldiers caused the Family to be on the move con s tantly The longest stay in any one place was at Dayr al-Muharraq . Here is where the angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and told him it was safe to return to Palestine.
Dayr al-Muharraq was for many years considered the southernmost point of the journey in Egypt, although in recent decades, a tradition has developed that says the Family traveled about fifty kilometers farther south to Duranka before heading north and home.
Egypt as a refuge enjoyed a long Biblical history , starting with the migration of Abram and Sarai (Genesis 12: 10-20).
In this lavishly illustrated volume, the many traditions surrounding the sites in Egypt associated with the Holy Family are sympathetically explored.
The c over photo is a detail of a brilliant 19'h century s tained glass window formerly in Saint Elizabeth Chur ch (18 72- 1993) , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and now part of the collection of Saint Joseph's University in that city.
In the history ofChristian art, the Flight into Egypt emphasizes Joseph's role as the divinely appointed protector of the Holy Family. Here, the artist gives generous space and great compositional prominence to Joseph , emphasizing his significance in salvation histo,y. He holds the donkey's tether as he leads Mary and Jesus away from the murderous Herod to safety in Egypt The apple held by the Christ Child who sleeps while Mary lovingly enfolds him, may allude to Joseph 's title as the one who provides and cares for Jesus (nutritor Domini)
Dear Readers,
As I write this in Spring 2003, we are challenged by turmoil and uncertainty, yet there is reassurance. Here, in the northeastern United States, the snows are gone; the daffodils are blooming, and the grass appears newly green.
Our hearts also gain confidence from a fond look backward. In our mind's eye, we see a time and place when an Infant was born in Bethlehem. It was a time of glorious wonder, of angels proclaiming the good news, of lowly shepherds paying first homage
Like Spring, the birth of Jesus remains a beacon of hope Over the centuries, His light has persisted against great odds. The promise of the Infant remains steadfast, offering a vision ofa more gentle tomorrow May that vision guide us.
Rita Bacher, Publisher
FOND MEMORIES IN A CHAIN SAW NATIVITY
by Jim Baese
We were out for our morning walk and passed the house that had chain saw carvings for sale. The thought crossed our minds: "Wouldn't it be neat to have a creche made out of chain saw carvings?" We turned around to meet the artist, Russell Baker. He said that if we would show him what we wanted, he was sure he could carve it. We took him Joseph, Mary, and the manger with Jesus in it. Immediately, he started looking for appropriate pieces of wood. He had a piece for Mary and a splendid piece that would serve as the manger with the figure of Jesus carved into it, but he couldn't find a suitable piece for Joseph.
I called my friend, Bob Lehman, and he got in touch with a wood cutter who knew where there was a Douglas fir that had been dead for several years but was still standing. Off we went with pickups, cut down the tree and loaded a big chunk of it. We dropped off the piece at Russell's house, and it was perfect for Joseph.
Our chain saw-carved creche was the talk of that year's Creche Festival at First Lutheran Church in Salida, Colorado.
But the story doesn't end there. There was a little five year old boy in our church who was the delight of everyone in the congregation. Everyone had prayed for him when he was born with a heart defect. He was the boy who tucked himself in beside me when I gave the Children's Sermon. He grew, but soon there was no more that could be done for him.
After the child's funeral, his mother gave me money for conducting the service and I thought: "I wonder if Russell would carve a lamb for me." When I told Russell the story about Robbie, tears came to the carver's eyes. "Robbie will have a lamb," he said. We still call the lamb, "Robbie."
There's more. The son of a couple in our congregation, Chuck Osborne, developed brain cancer. He was a wonderful artist, and often drew wolves and lions for the tee-shirt company where he was employed. His favorite animals were lions. After his funeral, Chuck's parents asked, "Can there be a lion in the creche scene?" Why not? As long as he eats straw with the oxen. So Russell went to work again. Now the people who pass by see the lion smiling at them.
Where will this go? Who knows, but when you live in the mountains of Colorado, it seems appropriate that an artist with a chain saw should honor God's one and only Son.
Reverend Jim Baese is Pastor Emeritus of First Lutheran Church, Salida, Colorado
-J=OR ;yoarzsel-J= OR -J=oR sorneooe ;yoa love
CRECH£H£RALDP£NDANT
Logo in lustrous sterling silver
Size: about 2"
Send to:
$40 plus $4 s/h (U.S address)
Creche Herald 117 Crosshill Road Wynnewood, PA 19096-3511 USA
Pendant created by Peggy Hart from logo designed by Michael Stumpf. Crafted by Hand & Hammer Silversmiths
Chain saw carvings of the Holy Family surrounded by a lion and a lamb stand in front of the First Lutheran Church of Salida, Colorado. The animals memorialize a child and young man of the congregation. Russell Baker, a local chain saw sculptor, created the scene.
SUGGESTIONS FOR A CRECHE CATALOGUE SYSTEM
by Harry Yates
All our collection is catalogued with a photograph, description of the creche, its dimensions, and short anecdotes concerning the purchase or significant features. These sheets are placed in a loose-leaf notebook so that - anyone might enjoy or share the collection year round when most are stored in the attic.
Our plans eventually are to sort the looseleaf inserts by country of origin, base material (clay, glass, wood, etc.), and date if known.
For the creche above, this is what we wrote:
This is the carved wooden creche we purchased at Muggendorf, Germany, at the Erzgebirgische Volkskunst (Nutcracker Factory). This creche was bought on our Creche Tour of Germany in December 2002. The set contained 12 pieces, but when we got home, only 11 pieces were in the box. We wrote to the Nutcracker Company advising them of the shortage, and on February 3, 2003, we received a package from Germany with the missing reclining lamb. Our creche was finally complete.
All pieces are hand carved and painted. The carving might be characterized as fairly primitive. This only adds character to the entire set. The set includes Mary, Joseph, Jesus, 3 kings, shepherd with crook, ass, cow, and 3 sheep. All are carved from a single piece of wood, with the exception of the ears and horns of the sheep and cow Those are individually carved and inserted in holes on the animal heads. Each figure is identified on the bottom with the following:
RH Echie Erzebirgische Handarbeit
Dimensions: 1-1/2" to 4-1/4"h Creche 13 2 (I'his is the number of the creche in the collection)
At the end of last season, we stored the creches in boxes that were numbered with a picture of the creche glued to the outside. These boxes, in tum, were stored in large "apple boxes" all painted white with a large box number on the outside. As many as twenty creches were stored in each box. When they were put away, we recorded which creches were in each apple box. Now we can easily access a particular creche by looking up the apple box in which it is stored.
Harry and JoAnn Yates are collectors in Athens, Georgia.
Creche Herald subscription information
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Enclose check or money order payable to Creche Herald.
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Be sure to include name, address, teleohone, e-mail
This carved wood Nativity by Stanislaus Suska was purchased in Krakow, Poland. God the Father is at the top while below Mary nurses her Baby. Piece is about 32 inches high. Collection of Eileen Canty, Marion, Massachusetts.
FROM OUR READERS
I am writing to see if any of your readers might be able to help me find a 12 inch Holy Family carved in wood and stained by Conrad Moroder Statuary and Art Studio of Val Gardena, Italy. I have nine pieces but am missing the Holy Family. The code on my other pieces is 6050/30-stained. If any one has the Holy Family they would be willing to sell or can direct me to a shop that would be helpful, it would be most appreciated.
Mary Mayfield, Omaha, Nebraska Mayfieldim@aol.com
***
I just made a small slide show with some of the covers from Creche Herald and photos from the album we received at the Friends of the Creche 2001 Convention. Will be using the show with a group of missionaries that get together every week.
Joan Hamblin (Joan and Jacob Hamblin currently are serving as missionaries in Central America)
***
I read with interest the article by Eileen Canty on creches and the internet, and was pleased to recognize many of the sites. I am a collector of French Nativities and santo~. Many of the santons l have were purchased either in France or on eBay.
Described by friends as a "serious collector," I have several hundred santons by different santonniers. During the holidays, I often exhibit these santons in churches.
One New Hampshire artist whose work you might be interested in is Jane Kaufmann (http://janekaufmann.com). While her home page doesn't show examples of her Nativities, I have purchased creche figures from her . Martha Mayo , Lowell, Massachusetts
Creche Herald
Editor/publisher: Rita B. Rocher
Contributing editor: Mary B. Herzel
Communications : Frank B Herzel
117 Crosshill Road , Wy nnewood , PA 19096-3511 U.S.A . Web page : www op net/-bocassoc/ E-mail : crecher@op net Pr inted by St. Joseph ' s University Press , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
International Convention in Czech Republic
The International Creche Convention is scheduled for September 23-26, 2004, in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic . Hradec Kralove is northeast of Prague, near the Polish border. In addition to presentations, participants will visit creche exhibits. More information to follow as it becomes available
'PHOTO C..ONTf.~T C..OMIN6.
Get your cameras ready !
Creche Herald is sponsoring a Nativity photo contest. Entries will be judged by the faculty and staff of the Antonelli Institute of Art and Photography, Erdenheim, Pennsylvania.
Rules and details will be given in coming issues.
CRECHE HERALD NEWSMAKER
Eileen Canty, a regular writer for Creche Herald, has received wide recognition for her generous charitable support During the holiday season, Canty gives tours of her home and her extensive creche collection for charity , or lends some of her collection to help raise money for charitable events Her contributions have been cited in the Southcoast Standard Times, Newsletter of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart, and the Natick Bulletin & TAB.
GLOBAL GIITS already is busy gearing up for this year's Nativity Show- its sixteenth annual-set for this Fall, and sure to attract collectors from all over California and the Southland, as always.
Year 'round, this international folk art emporium is tracking down sources for one-of-a-kind, hand crafted creches from every corner of the world. New this year, creches are available and/or on-order from artisans in Albania, Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Greece, Czech Republic , Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Alaska, Canada, and beyond. These artisans work in wood, shell, silver, textiles , beads, seeds, glass, and other materials. Many are established crafts persons; others are exciting newcomers .
GLOBAL GIITS has become renowned as the California creche capital, with experts year-round and at the annual Nativity Show ready to discuss their collections, share collecting tips, and discuss the latest developments in creche-making and creche collecting.
A major portion of GLOBAL GIITS' profits goes toward children's aid projects around the world.
GLOBAL 61FfS, 531 West 71n Street San Pedro, CA 90731. Tel: 310-548-1762
NATIVITIES ALL AROUND
by Mary Herzel
" How would you like to spend your days hammering, drilling holes, wiring, dry walling, plastering and painting? That 's how volunteers made a permanent home for over 900 N at ivity sets in the church basement of Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church in Oshkosh , Wisconsin ," said Karen Fonstad, a volunteer and former Director of Adult Ministries
The majority of the sets were donated by Mildred Turner of O mro , Wisconsin . " I thought that Nativities gave me the sp ir itu a l dimension for Christmas rather than the Santa side that most others relate to," said Turner. She had been collecting Nativities since her retirement from the Omro school system as a kindergarten teacher. Close to the time of her retirement, her mother passed away. "I had to do something to make life less lonely, " she explained.
Like most collectors, Turner started with a few, one of which was from her childhood that had been displayed on the family piano . Soon, friends, looking for a gift for her, gave her more sets. It wasn't long before she herself was seriously shopping in all sorts of places .
"I had Nativities in my front yard, throughout my house, and on spelves in a 9' x 20' addition in the back of the house. It looked like a small museum," said Turner. "The Nativity is Christmas. It gives you a feeling of peace. It is an expression of love, and it shows how God loved the world." Eventually, however, her collection became so large that it was difficult to display in her home.
When Turner approached her pastor about whether the church might be interested in housing the collection, Fonstad was serving as Director of Adult Ministries. She was asked to look into the feasibility of housing the collection. "I was thrilled," she recalls .
Fortunately, one of the rooms in the basement was virtually unused. Fonstad organized the volunteers to design the layout and build the cabinets. "It's been a real labor of love ," she commented.
In 1997, just a few days before the collection was to open at the church, Turner called Fonstad about a new find. "Karen, I know you're short on space, but. .. !" She went on to describe a one-of-a-kind set carved by World War II German prisoners who had been incarcerated in the barn of what is now the Baptist Assembly Grounds conference center. The prison situation had been a good one as the Germans were sent out to work on the farms as the American men were off fighting. "We'll make room, Mildred," Fonstad told her
"If just one person grows in faith because of the collection, it is worth it," says Turner.
The Nativity Collection may be viewed year-round, whenever the church building is open. For information call the church at 920-231-2800.
Mary Herzel is a writer from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Janelle
CRECHES BY THE SEA: 2003 CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS
Roberto Medeiros, Cultural Councilor of the city of Lagoa, St. Michael Island, Azores, Portugal, will be a featured speaker at the 2003 Friends of the Creche convention at Hyannis, Massachusetts. He will discuss the tradition of the Portuguese presepio as found in homes throughout the Azores and Madeira Islands. Immigrants from those islands brought the custom of the presepio to southeastern Massachusetts
The city government of Lagoa encourages potters to produce both Nativity figures and background pieces, and their manufacture has become a cottage industry. Government sponsored design and display competitions are conducted annually The city has even created a museum for the Portuguese manger scene, the Museu do Presepio Azoreano, visited by thousands annually. Councilor Medeiros will bring a collection of hand crafted creche treasures from the Museu to the convention
Also scheduled to address the convention is Charles Des Ruisseaux. Reverend Des Ruisseaux is pastor of Saint Anthony Church in Manchester, New Hampshire, and an avid creche collector. Every year, his extensive collection is viewed by hundreds of visitors to the Manchester Diocesan Museum. He will bring with him a very large collection of his "dressed" santons. Reverend Des Ruisseaux is of French Canadian background and will discuss the "Ethnic Creche Traditions of the French Canadians."
Both Portuguese and French Canadian immigrants have been the primary influences on creche traditions in southeastern Massachusetts, so it will be exciting to explore the contributions of these two major ethnic groups.
A special treat for conventioneers is an opportunity to see the display of authentic 18th century Neapolitan figures in a custom-made setting over twenty feet in length. The setting, designed and constructed by June Kibbe, Medfield, Massachusetts, will showcase figures owned by her and Dorothy McGonagle of Sudbury. Both Kibbe and McGonagle will be available to discuss the display.
The 2003 Friends of the Creche convention in Hyannis promises to be an exciting experience. Participants will enjoy the unique flavors ofNew England enhanced by the traditions imprinted upon the area by the Portuguese and the French Canadians.
For the latest updates on the convention, visit its website: www.crechesbythesea.org and go to the "Convention Newsletter" and "Presenter of the Month" pages. Be sure to register by the August 1 deadline.
READER WINS PRIZES WITH HER NATIVITIES
Shown above is the prize winning display of Madeleine Holub, Highland, Indiana, who won a first place blue ribbon and a sweepstakes rosette ribbon at the 2002 Indiana Lake County Fair for her "Unique Nativity Sets." Contestants were allowed six items in the 12" x 18" allotted space For her display, Holub showed six creches from different countries made of varying materials. Her tiniest entry was a Nativity with 1/2" high figures made of a tin alloy. She also won a second place ribbon on her entry entitled, "The Birth of Baby Jesus Music Boxes."
???? and C.omments
Q. I have heard of the Eisenbahnkrippe . What is it?
A. According to Elisabeth Van Mullekom-Cserep in her book, Christmas Nativities and Stories (Horseley Park, Australia, 1999) the Eisenbahnkrippe is a Nativity scene built in a train. It was constructed by a Josef Seidle in Austrian Tyrol. There are about 1100 figures in the set. In Advent, the train is moved from station to station allowing people from the town or village to visit the display. Visitors are asked for a donation which goes to charity. Members of the Austrian Crib Society oversee the exhibit. The title for the train is "Light in the Darkness."
THE CRECHE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
by Milan Zabransky
The first of two installments
The earliest known display of a Nativity in a Czech country seems to have been in 1560 in St. Clement's Church in Prague. That presentation by the Jesuits was soon followed by other displays in the late 1500s, some by the Franciscan Friars in other cities such as Olomouc and Litomysl. Sadly, none of those cribs has been preserved, although it is believed that the figures were life-size.
One of the oldest well preserved Baroque examples is in the small town ofKostelec nad Labem in the church of Saint Vit. Dating from about the end of the 17 th century, the five figures, dressed in beautiful fabrics, have movable limbs.
Only about eighteen creches from the 18 th century have survived; most are from monasteries. In large part, this could be attributed to a decree issued by Emperor Joseph II in I 780, banning the display of creches in churches; it was felt that such displays were beneath the dignity of the ecclesiastical hierarchy
Despite the ban, the popularity of the Nativity scenes was such that they were crafted for the nobility and the merchant class, and eventually were made for the general populace. The figures now were smaller and made of wood, paper, wax, and fired clay.
Landscapes of the Nativity scenes also changed in the hands of the folk artists. Where before, the backgrounds showed exotic palms and oriental buildings, now the scenes depicted Central European landscapes and details from the artists' own environs. Scenes were populated with poor villagers bringing lowly gifts, such as bread, milk, shoes, or domestic animals to the Infant. It was not unusual to see humorous anachronisms .
Various regions in the Czech Republic have their own specific characteristics in the creation of their creches. In mountainous areas, such as Krkonose, Orlicke hory, or Sumava, where there was plenty of suitable wood for carving, house-bound villagers made creches during the long winter months. People in the textile towns, such as Trebic or Usti nad Orlici, used cardboard from packing boxes to make painted paper figures for elaborate creche villages. In the mining town of Pribram, retired and disabled miners joined local crafts persons in creating sculptures of the Virgin Mary as well as Nativity scenes for sale to pilgrims coming to a local shrine. Interestingly, in the wealthier farming areas, we find practically no instances of folk art creches being created.
Milan Zabransky lives in Prague, Czech Republic.
Korean Nativity of hand carved wood in the collection of Joyce Hinshaw, Carlsbad, California. Stable is about 7" wide. Set includes goat, rooster, hen, chicks, pigs, but no sheep.
Wooden Magi puppet. !9'h/ 20'h century. Nachod, Czech Republic. Photo by Jan Roda
HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH YOUR NATIVITY SCENE
By Janelle R. Nein
Photographing a Nativity scene may look simple enough, but in reality, it is not so easy as it looks Your eyes see what you want your photo to look like, but the camera photographs something different. Here are some helpful hints on how to make your photo look as beautiful as the scene itself.
In following these few helpful hints, you should notice a difference in your photographs. Good luck and happy picture taking .
STEP 1: Camera and Film
Purchase a roll of 12 exposure 200-speed color film. It really does not matter what brand-whatever you are comfortable using If you are using a disposable camera, make sure it has a fla sh You also can use a digital camera if yo u ha ve o ne.
STE P 2: B ac kg round an d Location
Use a white wall or a white ironed bed sheet. When using a bed sheet, hang it so that it covers the wall behind the Nativity scene; drape the rest of the sheet over a flat surface near a window. Make sure that the Nativity is not directly in front of the window. If you have it directly in front of the window, the background will be so much brighter than your scene. It will make your photograph very bright and underexpose the subject of your photo.
STEP 3: Positioning Figures
Display your Nativity scene like normal. Make sure that you can see all the figures. If all the figures are not easily seen with your eyes, space the figures out just a little. Don't space them too much; this will cause you to stand back too far to view the scene in your camera or you could cut off so me of the figures in your photo.
STEP 4: Camera Position
Take a photo of the entire Nativity scene Then move around with your camera and photograph it from different angles Don ' t be afraid to get close and photograph differ ent figures or small sets of figures . Try not to get too cl ose; stay about 3 to 4 fe et a way fr om your Nativity. If yo u get too close, this will c a use yo ur c amera not to focus on the o bject that yo u are ph otograp h ing, causing it to become blurry. Concentrate on the im p ortant pieces of your ~ativity scene.
STEP 5: Choosing Your Best Phot o graph
Review your prints and pull out the photos that you feel are not perfect, for example, out of focus, figures cut off, etc. Remember you are your own worst critic . Select the photos that show the beauty of your Nativity scene
STEP 6: Lighting
Look for the Fall issue of Creche Herald for the different techniques that will help you light your Nativity scene.
Janelle R. Nein is a professional photographer from Womelsdorf, Pen nsylvania. Janelle_Nein@yahoo.com
Poor Photograph . B y standing back too far from your Nativity scene , you will lose detail in your figures
Good Photograph. By moving in closer to your Nativity, you still have all your figures in your photograph , but now you can see the detail also .
FRIENDS OF THE CRECHE NOTES
Dear Friends of the Creche,
As Friends of the Creche nears its third anniversary this August, we're looking forward with anticipation to our second national convention. This Fall's gathering at Hyannis, Massachusetts, promises to be an exciting mix of programs and exhibits. We also look forward to meeting each other and sharing our interests in creches. This issue of Creche Herald includes another insert with registration form and description of the program. You also can check out the convention website, www.crechesbythesea.org.
Hopefully, you will consider attending, perhaps combining the convention with some touring of a very inviting comer of America.
This issue also contains two announcements. One is for this year's election for seats on the Board of Directors. There are four seats up for election, two currently filled by incumbent officers and two other seats. I am sure many of you have skills and experience which could help. Please think about becoming involved. The other announcement, found on page 11, is an invitation to nominate someone for the Friends of the Creche Award of Recognition. The Award is for someone who has significantly promoted the tradition of the creche in some way. We plan to honor at least one person at the national convention this November . Speaking of skills, we still need volunteer assistance to help develop a website for our organization to follow on the convention website Please let us know if you or someone you know can help. We also are interested in pro bono legal services to assist in our legal affairs.
The Board completed its winter meeting via email on March 5. We initiated action for this year's Board election, planning for the 2004 members' meeting, and 2005 convention. We also revised our guidance for the Awards of Recognition.
Our membership is nearing 400. At the end of January 2003, our treasury balance was $5,977.11, down from the December balance as a result of legal costs in our successful effort to obtain Federal tax exempt status.
As always, I invite your suggestions. Enjoy your summer. Think convention!
Regards,
Jim Govan, President (JimGovan@aol.com)
Important dates in 2003:
July 15: Award of Recognition nominations due July 31: Board of Directors nominations due November 6-8: Friends of the Creche Convention
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION
Four seats of the 13-person Board of Directors are open. Any member in good standing is eligible Per the by-laws, a candidate must be an active member for one full year prior to the November preceding the election, i.e., a member since October 31, 2001.
Duties: The Board meets three times yearly. At least one, sometimes two, meetings are direct. Otherwise, the meetings are by e-mail. Members are expected to be active in special projects, convention participation, and recruitment.
Term of office: 3 years starting Fall 2003; seating at Friends of Creche convention. Limited to two consecutive 3-year terms. May seek re-election after one year off Board.
To apply: Submit a statement ofno more than 200 words describing qualifications or reasons for wanting to serve. You also may submit an application for another member with the latter's consent.
Send to: Mary Jo Riegel, 2833 Symphony Way, Dayton, OH 45449, or e-mail: Riegmj@aol.com.
All Board of Director nominations must be received by July 31, 2003. Eligible members will receive a ballot about August 15, with a return no later than September 15. Results will appear in Creche Herald.
TREASURER'S REPORT: 2002
Opening balance, January l, 2002 Income: Donations
Membership Fees Creche Herald Convention 2001
Total Income
Expenses: Printing
Annual Members Meeting Convention 2003 Creche Herald Bank charges
Creche Hunting in ... Massachusetts and Rhode Island by
Eileen Canty
Exposure to other collectors and the unending variety of Nativity items has led me to continually challenging creche hunting . Here are my local favorites, particularly selected for those coming to the November 2003 Friends of the Creche convention, Creches by the Sea . We are trying to negotiate discounts for FOTC members, so ask when you visit these stores . There also will be other shopping aids at the convention-on-site Manager Mart, Iists of more shopping sites , and discount coupons.
Ten Thousand Villages, a multi-location organization, stocks a wide array of Nativities by Third World artisans. Its local locations are in Brookline (Coolidge Comer, 226 Harvard Street , 617-277-7700) and Cambridge (Central Square, 694 Massachusetts A venue , 617-876-2414). Currently, I have my eye on a cast brass ethnic Holy Family from Cameroon ($95), a gourd Holy Family from Peru ($36) all of which can be viewed online at www.tenthousandvillages com.
l also stop at Otro Lado, newly relocated to Central Square, (5 Brookline Street, 617-354-1475) and Nomad ( 17 41 Massachusetts A venue, 6 l 7-497-6677). My most commented-upon Otro Lado find is a clay set like those used in a typical Mexican home . It is unusual for the inclusion of fish and a devil playing a saxophone.
In Boston, the Liturgical Apostolic Center (43 West Street, 617-482-0978) has a good selection of sets produced by French nuns in their Bethlehem Monastery. A 13-piece, seven inch set with Jesus nestled into a reclining Mary, cost $450
At Plymouth ' s Village Landing Marketplace (170 Water Street), the Hour Glass Shop and Crafter's Outlet (50874 7- 7654) offers framed scherenschnitte (cut paper) Nativity scenes for about $25 and a painted triptych for $35. ln the same complex, Native Expressions sells high quality work by Native American artists. Typically, pueblo Nativities start at about $200; they also will negotiate commissioned works by other artists. For example, a Holy Family in fur by an award winning Inuit doll maker cost about $500.
Newport, Rhode Island, is home to Cadeaux du Monde (26 Mary Street, 401-848-0550) and its many creches. Two treasures found there included a large batik from the Ivory Coast ($300) and a clay Family from Ghana by a winner of the International Creche Festival.
Two blocks down the street, in the Brick Market Place, there are an Irish shop with china Nativities, a typical Christmas shop, and a Dansk outlet with discounts on Nativity figures as heavy as crystal. Priced from $12-$15, figures were made in Poland and Japan.
Another favorite source is Peaceable Kingdom with locations at 116 Ives Street, Providence (407-351-34 72) and 3879 Main Road , Tiverton (401-624-2602).
No stay in New England is complete without visiting one of the Christmas Tree Shops. A large branch is down the road from the convention hotel at 655 Route 132, Hyannis (508- 778-5521 ). Other locations can be located by phone or online at www .christmastreeshops.com. Eilee n Canty requ es ts su gg estions/or fitture sources Send to her al 345 Point Road, Mar io n, MA 02738; emcanty@aol.com
NOMINATIONS REQUESTED FOR AWARDS
Award of Recognition to be presented November 2003 at the Friends of the Creche Convention at Hyannis, Massachusetts (Please note that in the Spring Creche He ra ld, this was s hown as Award of Excellence )
Eligibility : Those who have promoted the creche tradition in a wide variety of fields: arts or communications, such as the fine arts, crafts, website design ; exhibitions ; lecturing; book or article publication; making creches available for display, or other medium that promotes the creche tradition. May be individual or group. Need not be a member of Friends of the Creche.
Format: I. Describe how person /group has promoted the creche tradition; 2 Why you think the award is deserved . Give your name, address ,,email, as well as name, address , email of nominee
Must be able to receive the award in person at the convention Board of Directors will select awardee(s) .
Length of Submittal: Limited to two typed pages. Attachments permitted.
Award nominations must be postmarked by July 15, 2003. Send to: Mary Herzel, 681 Maria Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17109 or e-mail: fherzel@aol.com
One of the drawings made by her grandchildren that Doroth y Davis , Rowlett, Texa s, ha s crafted into a wall decoration " Ma,king Nativities has been a love of mine for y ear s It was fun tran sforming the simple drawing s of my grandchildren into cloth wall hangings ," she says.
Detail of The Adoration of the Magi, c . 1914, crafted for Saint Columba Church (I 895-1993) , now Saint Martin de Porres Church , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS: REFLECTIONS OF FAITH AND CULTURE
" Moreover , we caused to be painted, by the exquisite hands of many masters from different regions, a splendid variety of new windows Now , because [these windowsJare very valuable on account oftheir wonderful execution and the profuse expenditure ofpainted glass and sapphire glass, we appointed an official master craftsman for their protection and repair."
Abbot Suger. From a translation by Erwin Panofsky, 1973
In the above notes, Suger, Abbot of the Abbey Church of St.-Denis (near Paris, France) from l 122 until his death in 1151, described an innovation in church design. His stained glass windows, essentially dissolving the wall between the outside world and the inside spiritual place, would change artistic expression in churches for nearly four hundred years
With the Reformation, however, and a change in tastes in the 17th and 18 th centuries, monumental stained glass windows ceased being an important part of churches. Then, in the late 18 th century, a renewed appreciation of the brilliance of medieval windows arose. With that , also came a revival of the traditional methods of fabrication and an interest in newer techniques In the 1840s and 1850s , a revival of the art took hold in the United States While little was done during the American Civil War, afterward, stained glass could be seen everywhere-in private homes, public buildings, and churches.
The stained glass revival flourished particularly in the Catholic churches of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the late 19 th century and early 20 th century with the introduction of Munich glass . Developed by German and Austrian painters, Munich glass sought to create an emotional contact with the viewer and the Biblical stories being told. The imported German windows and Munich-based American studios created some of the most stunning windows of the period.
In 1997, Saint Joseph's University Press approached the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to photograph stained-glass windows for use in its book , Stained Glass in Catholic Philadelphia, but the University found that many Catholic churches had been closed. While the Archdiocese had a plan to recycle the windows to new buildings being constructed, it meant that many of those treasures would be lost to the area With that grim prospect, the University began to develop an initiative to establish a collection of windows from retired parish churches The eventual goal is to commemorate and preserve in a gallery setting the craft of the stained glass window, and the work of individual stained glass studios in America and Europe
Cover photos from Stained Glass in Catholic Philadelphia , edited by Jean M . Farnsworth, Carmen R. Croce, and Joseph F . Chorpenning, O .S.F .S. Photos by Laird Bindrim . (Philadelphia, PA : Saint Joseph's University Press, 2002). Courtesy of Saint Joseph's University .
