The Ship Of The Church

Two logos - one for the local grouping of Churches Together, the other for the World Council of Churches.
Oikoumene means inhabited world
Both include the image of a ship on the sea. Traditionally a symbol for the church throughout the ages. Jesus' first disciples were fisherman - and he calmed the storm - the winds and the waves obeyed him.
When we were in Paris we visited the church of St Etienne Du Mont [St Stephen of the Mountain] which is situated just behind The Pantheon.] This is a fascinating church - there has been a place of worship here since the 6th Century. 

Clovis, King of the Franks, and his wife Clothilde were buried nearby, and St Genevieve, Patron Saint of Paris. Mathematician Blaise Playwright Racine, and Politician Marat all found their final resting place here.
When we visited, on a sunny afternoon, we found - as in every other church we entered- there were many people sitting alone, at prayer. Some lit candles, or wrote their prayer in a book or on a noticeboard, others merely sat or knelt, hands clasped, heads bowed. Old ladies, smartly dressed businessmen, fashionable young women on their lunchbreak, scruffy students with backpacks...it is quite usual for people to pop into a place of worship for a few moments [or longer] to find a quiet place to speak to God about the things on their hearts. I love the fact that they can do that - that others respect their activity and do not bother them with chatter. We were both appreciative of the opportunity to stop, and remember friends and family at home in the UK, difficult world situations - and the impending election. 
St Etienne has an amazing display of stained glass windows in the cloisters - rescued from other churches during the first world war. This one particularly caught my eye.

At the top, Noah's ark, as he rescues all the animals from the Great Flood. Below, "The Church As A Ship" Jesus at the prow [in totally inappropriate sailing gard] and behind him, Kings, Saints, Noblemen, and "those who paid for the window" all in their finery - behind them the ordinary people in simpler monochrome clothing.

A reminder that God cares for those he has created, and will be with them in the rough storms of life.

The animals were great - notice the Unicorn - and also Noah's big stick [is he conducting their singing?]

I spotted the Dive representing the Holy Spirit instead of a Crow's Nest - but I don't know why Jesus is apparently steering the ship with a floor mop through the hole in the side! I suspect that these are all good Catholic Saints - the poor Baptists are below decks, in the galley making lunch. But I am grateful for all my sisters and brothers, who sail with me in the ship.

May the breezes be soft on your back, and the waves gentle for you today...