An explanation of the symbols
included in the panel.

The design of the decorative front panel is beautifully colourful and symbolic. At the top right we see the bright golden burst of energy with a central cross representing God’s creation and the gift to us of His son Jesus Christ. This is surrounded by twelve stars representing the twelve Apostles. A double helix then weaves through the panel in royal kingly purple and blood red indicating our Lord’s sacrifice at crucifixion. The doves, a universal symbol for peace, illustrate deliverance and God’s forgiveness (Noah and the flood), inspiration and Divine guidance linking the baptism of Christ with the hope of resurrection. The third dove as half fish half bird illustrates the wonder of evolution. The fish show us of the link between Jonah in the belly of the great fish for three days and the Son of Man in the heart of the earth for three days and nights; the simply drawn fish as a password among Christians in the early days during the Roman persecution; the Apostles were often referred to as fishers of men, the Greek word fish (ichthus) as an acrostic which, simply translated, means "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour"; and fish symbolise the many miracles performed by Christ during his period of teaching, preaching and healing. The red flames are symbolic of the Pentecostal Spirit descending to Man and this world. The stylised Olive tree or Tree of Life is bearing fruit of the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, True Godliness, Discernment, Inner Strength, Knowledge and Wonder and Awe in the presence of God. At the lower left we see the praying hands of humanity seeking connection and communion with God.

The back panel brings us to our spiritual home at St John’s, under the stars of the Southern Cross, symbolically placed to represent Christ’s four crucifixion nails and the spear wound, surrounding a strong, central, simple cross.

The Stole is decorated with Pentecostal flames and symbolic fish.

Nancy Black A.M.
January 1921 – August 2001

• 1949 Nancy joined St John’s family

• Joined St John’s Mothers’ Union (MU)

• MU secretary for Social Responsibility Department

• MU representative on the National Council of Women, Children’s Book Council & Children’s Film & Television Council

• Visited migrant women in North Melbourne high-rise flats.

• 1970 Diocesan Secretary of Mothers’ Union

• First woman Vestry member at St John’s

• Worked in Anglican Media Office

• 1979 Diocesan President Mothers’ Union

• 1980 joined organizing committee for 1^st MU world conference held outside UK

• Australian Vice President MU
  

• 1985 Australian President of MU

• Represented Australia on MU Central Council in UK

• Church Warden at St. John’s

• Representative on Victorian Council of Churches

• Worked tirelessly for MECWA

• 1986 worked for Anglican Homes for the Elderly

• 1989 awarded AM for services to the community

• 1992 volunteer for AngliCORD, editing newsletter

• Book “From Tara to Carinya” published

• ALWAYS caring and inclusive in working for St John’s and the wider community