St. Martin’s in the Desert Episcopal ChurchPahrump, Nevada

St. Martin’s in the Desert Episcopal Church631 W. Irene Street

P.O. Box 1385 Pahrump, Nevada 89041

(775) 537-1115www.stmartinspv.org

The Reverend Julie Platson, Priest

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I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 3:3 (NRSV)

The people of St. Martin’s in the Desert Episcopal Church would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Rev. Sandy Blake,

the Rev. Thommy Thompson, Ray Wagus, Bob Sullivan, and all who contributed in a variety of ways to support the stained glass window project.

The finished work is a magnificent offering to God in this desert place.

Peace, Rev. Julie Platson and the people of St. Martin’s in the Desert Episcopal Church

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NRSV)

The Story and The Team Sometime in 2003 retired Episcopal priest Thommy Thompson and aspiring Episcopal priest, Sandy Blake, both associates at St. Stephen’s in Aurora, Colorado, decided to commit themselves to Fr. Thommy’s dream of designing and assembling stained glass windows for St. Martin’s in the Desert Episcopal Church in Pahrump, Nevada. Rev. Sandy’s previous career was as art director and graphics manager of Rocky Mountain Public Television, so she was willing to take on stained glass design as a challenging new medium. And Fr. Thommy was a hobby stained glass craftsman. It was a brave undertaking for Fr. Thommy and Sandy, not to mention St. Martin’s priest, the Rev. Julie Platson, and the patient and supportive folks at St. Martin’s. In the fall of 2006, Fr. Thommy asked members if they would be interested in having stained glass windows portraying scenes from the life of Jesus installed in the new building erected by church members to be their new church which was consecrated in 2008. The initial vision, work and planning for the windows actually began in 2004 with design of the Rose Window. The stained glass workshop was Fr. Thommy’s “meteorologically challenged” back porch in Pahrump. (When it is hot it is very hot and when it is cold it is very cold in Pahrump.) Three St. Martin’s parishoners helped with this project. Lisa Whitney traced and cut patterns for the Rose Window. Bob Sullivan and Ray Wagus, both with stained glass experience, worked with Fr. Thommy over the next five years while Rev. Sandy continued to design in Colorado. Each window was installed as it was completed. Window frames werecrafted by Loyd Platson. (Windows are shown roughly in chronological order in this booklet.) Over the years Sandy’s style changed. Design was gradually stylized and simplified, inspired by liturgical graphic artist, Steve Erspamer. Fr. Thommy, Bob and Ray continued to refine their techniques over time as well. Nine years after Fr. Thommy’s dream in 2003, in the summer of 2012, nine windows were a dream come true. On October 28, 2012 the Rt. Rev. Dan Thomas Edwards, 10th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, came to Pahrump to dedicate and celebrate with the team and the people of St. Martin’s The Windows of St. Martin’s in the Desert Episcopal Church.

2 St. Martin’s in the Desert Episcopal Church

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Jesus and Thomas Window

So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the

Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the

nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the

nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” ...Then

he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my

hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas

answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

John 20: 25, 27-28 NRSV

Gratitude Benefactors inspired by Fr. Thommy’s dream generously donated support for glass and supplies for the team. The cost of each 22”x 40” window was sponsored by members of St. Martin’s at an estimated cost of roughly $250 per window. This budget determined simplicity of design, window detail and production technique. Team members worked pro bono and also contributed to the cost of the windows. Glass Warehouse in Denver and Glass Art Studio in Las Vegas’ staffs gave helpful advice and other support for the project. Christ the King Rose Window (3’ in diameter) was sponsored by Loyd and the Rev. Julie Platson in loving memory of the Rev. Curt Edmonds. St. Matthew and St. Mark the Evangelists Window was sponsored by Phyllis Neuber in thanksgiving for St. Martin’s in the Desert. St. Luke and St. John the Evangelists Window was sponsored by Marion Hutchison in thanksgiving for Paul and Nancy Lundsford. The Nativity Window was sponsored by Jim and Dottie Webb in loving memory of Heather Webb. The Baptism Window was sponsored by Fred and Carol Slaughter in loving memory of their loved ones. The Good Shepherd Window was sponsored by widow, Sharon, and sons Scott and Eric in loving memory of Douglas L. Petty. The Jesus Walks on the Water Window was sponsored by Phyllis Neuber in loving memory of the MacLeod family and the Thomas family. The Empty Tomb Window with Mary Magdalene and Jesus, was sponsored by Joan Kennedy and Sylvia Lambert in loving memory of Kathleen Coady. The Jesus and Thomas Window was sponsored by Mike and Mary Baldasano in loving memory of the Rev. Jim Taylor. Photos of the windows for this booklet were taken and given by Horace Langford, Jr., photographer for the Pahrump Valley Times, in memory of his mother, Barbara Langford. Booklet design and copy provided by the Rev. Sandy Blake; editing, Peter Blake; copy and concept, the Rev. Thommy Thompson; copy and editing, the Rev. Julie Platson.

3The Rev. Julie Platson, the Rt. Rev. Dan Thomas Edwards; the Rev. Thommy Thompson, the Rev. Sandy Blake

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The Empty Tomb Window

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to

me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my

God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and

announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

John 20:16 NRSV

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The Nativity Window

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and

wrapped him in bands of cloth,

and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them

in the inn.

Luke 2:7 NRSV

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Jesus Walks on the Water Window

And in the early morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking

on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a

ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus

spoke to them and said, “Take heart,

it is I; do not be afraid.”

Matthew 14:25 NRSV

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The Good Shepherd Window

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep...I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I

lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be

one flock, one shepherd. John 10:11, 14 b,-16 NRSV

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The Baptism Window

Now when all the people were baptized, and when

Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened,

and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in

bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven.

“You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Luke 3:21 NRSV

The Christ the King Rose Window, and The Evangelists Windows

The Nativity, The Baptism, and The Good Shepherd on the west wall.

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The Evangelists Window flanking the altar on the south wall, Matthew, the angel;

and Mark, the lion. Christ the King Rose Window high over thealtar on the south wall

The Evangelists Window flanking the altar on the south wall, John, the eagle; and Luke, the ox.

Jesus Walking on Water, The Empty Tomb with Jesus and Mary Magdalene,and The Thomas Window on the east wall.

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