The fifth panel shows the images of a Viking ship and the Danish flag, pointing to the Scandinavian background of the people who founded St. Ansgar Lutheran Church. The ship is also an ancient symbol of the Church, which carries believers through the up’s and down’s of life. As the hymnwriter said:
When peace like a river attends my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
‘It is well–it is well–with my soul’
The Latin word for Ship (navis) is the source of the term “nave”, the name of the main central part of a church building. The fish was another favourite symbol in the early Church. It represents our faith in Christ as Saviour: the first letters of the words ‘Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Saviour’ in Greek spell the word for ‘fish’ (IXTHUS). We also remember that Jesus called His followers to be “fishers” of people; in other words, when we live in Christ-like love that can attract others to follow Jesus as well (Mark 1:17).
Written by Tim & Alannah Hegedus, April 1996