Meet the Artist: George Fackler

This is the next installment in our "Meet the Artist" article series.

George Fackler has graced us with many wood-working projects over the years.  He created the rolling wooden cart we use for collecting our food contributions each week (as a memorial for Ferd Graham).  He built the sign-up stand for our Cup and Plate Ministry, and added the shelf for the Book of the Gospels to the front of the ambo.  He built the new presider’s chair, and has other projects in the works for us as well. 

These two chalices were a new kind of wood-working venture for him – and a beautiful one.  The first base he made includes a simple inlay of a cross (as does the chair and stand for the Gospel Book). 

In the second base he wanted to reflect diversity.  "I wanted to reflect how the Church and the sacrifice of the cross tied to all the peoples of the word," he said.  The base is made of stone to represent the rock on which the Church is built.  The cup reflects the sacrifice of the cross. 

The wood is multi-colored and multi- shaped, representing all the peoples of the earth, in a vertical format to indicate that no race is superior to another.  "Although not seen," George tells us, "there is a metal rod that ties the cup to the base, passing through the wooden portion.  This rod represents faith that ties the mystery of the cup, the Church, and the people together."

Below are the chalices that George created.  Individual pictures of all of Epiphany's Eucharistic vessels are available in our photo album.