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Viewpoint from Rev Derek McClean 03/10/2025
 Rev Derek McClean
Minister, Cliff Park Community Church, Gorleston
Recently, we had bereavement in the family. It was my Great Aunt. A lovely woman and one who had been very good to me throughout my life. A wonderful example of what it means to be a Christian, and exceptionally generous in her hospitality
During the wake, I got the chance to catch-up with 2 of my cousins, and talked about some old photos that I had been sent. They weren’t many, but one was from Christmas 1970, when I was still 1!
I was asked to send some scans to my cousins, and as I looked over these photos, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the old legend, and I do mean legend, that some Indigenous peoples used to believe that they shouldn’t have their photo taken because they believed that it captured a bit of them (maybe the soul), and gave the taker of the photo power over them
 Whilst I did chuckle at that thought, I, nevertheless, was reminded of the power of photos. Of those occasions I could remember, seeing the photo brought very vivid memories of the time and place of the photo with them
Others allowed me to see family history that I couldn’t possibly know about, or relatives I would never have otherwise seen – including my Great Grandfather (who was involved in a very famous event in the history of Ulster)
All of this reminded me of why stained-glass windows are in Churches. These, in the past, were called the Bible of the people. None of us were there to see the events of the Bible, but these carefully crafted images (with their strictly controlled symbolism) were used to both teach the Bible stories, and what Christians believe
Whether the writers of the NT always being pictured with a book in their hand; or St Peter bring identified with a set of keys; or the colour blue being used for Mary; or peacock feathers being used to symbolise eternal life – each part of the images taught something
Many churches provide guides for their stained glass, and the stories of Jesus and His crucifixion for our sins are a very important subject of them. Why not pay a visit and enjoy the delights of these Bibles for the people?
Any Church would be delighted to have you join them and help you understand what the Bible means for us today
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