Stained glass: a prayer

Jewelled lights
screen the shifting sunshine

. Stories they tell
of holy lives and martyrdom,
peopled with saints and warriors,
patriarchs and virgins,
children and angels.

Rich colours -
red, like sunlit wine;
blue, like summer evening’s sky;
gold, like ancient treasure...

And visions to lift the soul -
of heavenly towers,
celestial citadels.

These mediate the holy light,
help make this place a sacred refuge.

Here we pray,
that we might better serve you
and the world outside.

By Reverend Cliff Reed
St. Mary-le-Tower, Ipswich, 31st October 2001, at the memorial service for the late Jamie Cann MP