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In my tribute to Joan Greenwood, I have devoted the design of the tracery to the memory of the Biblical ‘Hebrew Midwives’. In my research I discovered that it was unlikely that ‘Shifra and Puah’ were individuals – the real characters, it could be argued, were Moses’ mother Yocheved, his sister Miriam and/or his sister-in-law, Elisheva wife of Aaron. I have used the three aforementioned names in the tracery, reinforced by images of the East – the sun, pyramids and date palms – surmounting the image of humanity on their trek to the Holy Land.
In the church, the three main lights are viewed at eye level; with this in mind I include detail to be appreciated at close range. The Nativity is supported left and right by the Annunciation and the Visitation respectively. Aspects of Joan Greenwood’s interests and life I have woven through the lights while not detracting from these main events in Christianity.
The left light features a Hebridean sunset which I am sure would have delighted Joan Greenwood. Her interest in wildlife is symbolized in blackbirds, hedgehog, corncrake and red squirrel, while not forgetting her beloved cats. All the lights including tracery are bound by borders of vine and grape, which, along with corn sheaves complete the association with the Eucharist.
