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Events Past -
50 Years' Anniversary
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Written by ALC Pastor
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Tuesday, 20 January 2009 10:27 |
When I come up Fritzners gate I cannot help but lift up my eyes to the "Christ the King" sculpture that hangs on the front of our church. There are many renditions of "Christ the King," but this one seems to reflect well the image described in Luke's Gospel. The sculpture shows Christ suspended with his right hand and arm in what appears to be the form of a blessing, as Luke says, While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven (Luke 24:51). The fingers of the right hand are even slightly larger in proportion and held in the western tradition with the thumb and smaller fingers facing out together symbolizing the trinity and the two longer fingers pointing up signifying the two natures of Christ, fully human and fully divine. This is really a beautiful sculpture and we are quite fortunate to have such an unique piece of art on our building, telling us and all who pass by that God is blessing us through Christ Jesus. I pray that it continue  to speak to us and remind us of what Christ calls us to do with our lives and in our community.
The artist of this sculpture was Egon Weiner (1906-1987) who was an Austrian born American and Professor Emeritus at the Art Institute of Chicago. Indeed, Weiner named his statue in one correspondence "The Blessing Christ." The following reflection was dictated by Weiner, signed and dated by the artist in Oslo on August 30, 1966:
The bronze metal figure of Christ should stand at the most prominent spot on the exterior of our church or as the artist has said, "on the prow of the ship." This is very appropriate and significant for us because it is a constant reminder that Christ is the Head of our congregation. He is the Head of the body the Church and we must live as His servant and disciple. The figure of Christ gives the feeling and expression of His wonderful blessing and promise, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you" (John 14:27). It is also a triumphant figure suggesting a strong yet compassionate Christ who has risen and ascended and now lives and reigns to all eternity. Our prayer is that Christ will conquer Oslo. The sculpture of this figure is Professor Egon Weiner of the Art Institute of Chicago and visiting professor of art at Augustana Lutheran College, Rock Island, Illinois. The figure will be cast in Oslo. The light green color of the metal or patina is the natural color of the metal after many years exposure. This beautiful patina is achieved now at the beginning by the application of certain chemicals to the bronze.
The sculpture was dedicated on August 27, 1967 with a service led by Pastor Arnold Nelson. Other noted dignitaries present for the dedication were His Majesty King Olav of Norway, the artist, Egon Weiner, the American Ambassador to Norway, Magaret Joy Tibbetts, and the Rev. Fredrick Knudsen, Dean of Oslo Cathedral. One significant detail about the sculpture that should not be overlooked is that the expense of casting the bronze was a gift from an anonymous donor in the United States.
We are blessed in countless ways by God. The sculpture literally evokes this. I pray that as we have been blessed by God, we will not get caught with our eyes gazing up, reveling in our blessings, but be busy with the ministry that Christ has equipped each of us to do. May the Spirit of God enflame each of us as we are sent forth and covered with blessings from above.
Pastor Stephan Kienberger
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 09:09 |
