CHRISTMAS BACKCLOTH

The church has a large backcloth, 12 x 20 (approx) in size, that is often put on display at the front of the church sanctuary at Christmas. This Christmas backcloth is on permanent loan from the artist and is a marvellous piece of Biblically-based artistry. It is painted by John Pendray, a former Church Member, now living in Marseille.

It is dominated by the figure of the Angel of the Annunciation, surrounded by symbols of God’s Glory, His creation of the world, the prophecies of Our Lord. Christ came in fulfilment of prophecy, the first being that He would bruise the head of the serpent, the devil (Genesis 3:15). The sun, stars and flowers symbolise that He created all things (John 1:2, 10). Alpha and Omega (A and W) the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, remind us of the words of Revelation 1:8, that Jesus is the first and the last. The girdle of righteousness is around His waist. See also the stem of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1).

There is a shepherd’s staff, because He is the good shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. Therefore we also see the cross. The word “Rex” (King) is there, but the painting depicts Him putting away the crown in order to come to earth to be our Saviour.

The Dove and the Wind – the Holy Spirit, promised to all who ask God, and remind us of His gift of peace. Wings – he ascended to heaven from earth and is now at the right hand of God the Father. Mysterious words represent Revelations. He is the great and mighty God, no-one can fully understand Him. “His ways are past finding out”.

Also, in the Ash room is a small painting of the same backcloth. On the back of it, in the hand writing of the artist are the words: "Cartoon for the wall cloth commissioned by my farther Harry Pendray for the Janet Hoare Baptist Church at Rayners Lane, London." The painting is given in memory of Harry and Min Pendray.