BOARDMAN Church takes panes

The stained-glass window inspires hope for the congregation of Good Hope Lutheran Church.
BOARDMAN -- Members of Good Hope Lutheran Church think their new chapel window is better than ever.
But it's more than just new glass to them. This window illustrates hope -- literally.
"It gives comfort in the promises of God," said Rev. Robert Quiantance of the dove with an olive branch that takes up two of the window's six large panes. "It's deeply meaningful for those saying goodbye to loved ones."
The Rev. Mr. Quaintance explained that after a $925,000 church renovation in early spring, the newly replaced clear chapel windows looked neat, but very plain. The old windows consisted of colored plastic, he said.
He suggested to his congregation that maybe stained-glass windows would solve the problem.
A "stained glass memorial fund" was started, and the idea was quickly accepted by members wishing to pay tribute to loved ones who have passed away.
After receiving estimates of how much the stained glass would cost, the members decided to do the work themselves. The total amount spent on the project was about $3,000.
Under the direction of Gary Houck, who works with glass as a hobby, 10 to 15 members learned how to craft the windows. Houck donated his time in memory of his mother, Dorothy.
Learning experience
"When Gary said to us, 'I think you could do this yourselves,' our mouths dropped open," said Dolores Goglen, who worked on the project in memory of her husband, Herb.
Goglen said she now knows how to solder, one of the steps in the window-making process.
"It was fun, and pretty easy but also time-consuming," she said.
The group was almost inseparable during the time it took to complete the project, which began in April. They worked together almost every day for four weeks.
"We've never had something this big before in our church," said Goglen. "Everyone just felt great about it."
The windows' theme of a rainbow with a dove with an olive branch symbolizes hope, said Mr. Quiantance. It also complements the theme of the windows in the church's sanctuary, which is separate from the chapel, he said.
"In the sanctuary there is a New Testament theme, so we decided on an Old Testament theme in the chapel," relating to the story of Noah's Ark, Quiantance said.
In the Bible story of Noah, God promised him that he would never send another devastating flood upon mankind by creating the rainbow -- which represented His promise. While on the ark amid the flooded earth, Noah sent a dove out in search of dry land. When the dove returned with an olive branch, he knew the promise of land was near. Thus, the two images are promises of hope -- hope of survival and of life.
The pastor said the windows add a sense of community to the congregation. "We worship every Wednesday in the chapel," Mr. Quaintance said. "Sometimes people just sit, look at the windows and pray."