Mae Runions

Communion Table Cover

Regent College, 2000

Regent College uses a large central room for worship and lectures. Thus the long table at the front of the room has many uses – and so a special cloth was designed to cover it for Communion services to create a ‘Sacred Space’.  Faculty member Dal Schindel worked with me in planning this unique piece to be designed in the shape of a cross.  The result is a runner along the top of the table, with designs extending over each end; then there are two panels extending down the front and the back of the table, forming the cross.

I used several Christian symbols here:

1. The Cross: It is on each panel and on the top to symbolize Christ’s presence here.

2. Loaves and Fishes: They are an ancient symbol of the Eucharist, Christ feeding his people.  An ancient well preserved floor mosaic of the loaves and fishes is placed at the altar of a 4^th or 5^th century Byzantine Church in Tabgha in Galilee where Jesus fed the 5000. At least two times in the gospels, Jesus revealed himself to doubting disciples in the breaking of bread.

3. The Circle: It symbolizes God and the community here.  However in the end panels, the opening circle symbolizes not a closed but an inclusive community.

4. The Spiral: Found on the back panel, it symbolizes eternity.  It will be seen only by the celebrant to remind him/her that this eucharist is an act of eternal significance and that the saints in heaven as well as on earth are present.

©MaeRunions

It has been an enormous privilege to work on this piece – and I pray that the Lord and the college will accept my offering.