St. Paul's Team Members Commissioned

At a service this morning, the St. Paul's United Methodist Church congregation commissioned those going on the Haiti Mission Trip. The team members, while wearing their mission t-shirts, confirmed their commitment to the goals of the mission. Senior Pastor Marianne Niesen presented the team members with a carved wooden cross she found in Assisi, Italy.

Updated 3/19/2010

The crosses are known as a ‘Franciscan’ or ‘Tau’ cross. The unusual shape is meant to symbolize service…an image of a servant, arms outstretched and Jesus, arms outstretched in return. Pastor Niesen likes to think of these crosses as a symbol of both hospitality and service.

The doves, as well as the leaves, on the cross symbolize peace.

The three knots in the necks string represent faith, hope and charity – all virtues needed for a mission trip!

The fact that the crosses come from Assisi is especially important to Pastor Niesen since Francis was the ultimate ‘servant of the Lord’ who gave his life to serve the poor and to respond that way to God’s love. Assisi is known as a city of peace.