Grand Rapids
School dedicates chapel with stained glass
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - A new $14 million chapel at a Christian university featuring stained glass windows created by a Danish artist incorporates a design that the school said seeks to draw worshippers with a sense of awe, transcendence, inspiration and intimacy.
Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids commissioned the four windows from Peter Brandes to be the hallmark feature of the 1,450-seat Christ Chapel, which was dedicated at a ceremony Monday.
The windows mark the north, south, east and west walls of the sanctuary. The glass pieces were made in Lyon, France, specifically for the project under Brandes' supervision.
"I could touch the feelings of the people who are in the room through the light and the colors," Brandes told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.
A blue window represents the baptism of Christ; a yellow window represents light and joy, and previews the resurrection Christ, who is shown on the cross; and a red window represents resurrection morning. The fourth window showcases three motifs from the Old Testament.
Cornerstone is an independent, non-denominational Christian liberal arts university. Its president, Joseph Stowell, said the windows of the chapel help "enable this sacred space to be bathed with meaningful beauty."
"The presence of Christ Chapel on our campus stands as a visual testimony to our commitment to the preeminence of Christ in our midst," Stowell said in remarks prepared for the dedication.
The building was funded by donors and is Cornerstone's first dedicated to worship. Bill Knott, vice president for donor relations, told The Grand Rapids Press that the chapel is "a statement of what our values really are."
"Spiritually, there's nothing that really demands that you have one space over another, and you can worship effectively outside, you can worship in a warehouse, in a gym, or in a sacred space," said Knott, who noted that prior to now Cornerstone held chapel service in its gymnasium.
Bad Axe
5th-generation farmer honored by White House
BAD AXE, Mich. (AP) - A fifth-generation farmer from Huron County is being honored by the White House at a "Champions of Change" event.
An event takes place Tuesday in Washington, D.C., where Rita Herford will be among 11 young women being recognized for work in their communities.
After graduating from Michigan State University, the White House says she returned home to her family farm to work alongside family members.
Using sustainable farming practices, the farm grows a total of 4,400 acres of wheat, sugar beets, dry edible beans, corn, and soybeans. She has shared the farm's story with local groups such as Rotary Club and on social media to help educate about modern farming.
Antwerp Township
Police recover ammunition, guns knives after theft
ANTWERP TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Authorities say seven stolen guns, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition and a knife collection have been recovered following a theft from a home in southwestern Michigan.
The Van Buren County sheriff's department says the stolen items were found on Saturday night in Antwerp Township, near Lawton.
The weapons and ammunition were taken Thursday from a home in Antwerp Township. Deputies identified a 51-year-old woman from the Lawton area as a suspect in the case.
The theft is under investigation and the sheriff's department says a request for charges will be sent to the Van Buren County prosecutor's office.
Ann Arbor
After stabbings, officials talk plaza improvements
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - Ann Arbor officials are discussing how to improve a city-owned downtown plaza following two recent stabbings.
Police said the stabbings took place Sept. 6 and 7 in Liberty Plaza, a park with a history of fights and concerns such as drug activity, The Ann Arbor News reported.
Mayor Christopher Taylor said he's concerned about "recent events" at Liberty Plaza and an increased police presence is planned. He said Ann Arbor should use a mix of law enforcement, programming and effective design at the plaza so people feel comfortable there.
City Council member Sabra Briere said she'd like to see the plaza redesigned, an option that has been discussed in recent years.
The city is planning public meetings next month on a potential plaza at the city-owned Library Lot, which is on the same block as Liberty Plaza. City officials are hoping to see a similar-sized plaza developed there in conjunction with a new private development.
The Sept. 7 stabbing happened as a crowd gathered around two people involved in a dispute over a missing cellphone and a 19-year-old Ypsilanti man was taken to the hospital with a stab wound to his head. A 67-year-old Ypsilanti man is charged with felonious assault.
In the other case, a fight over a seat near a woman at Liberty Plaza ended with a homeless man behind bars. According to police, a 60-year-old man used the handle of the knife to strike one man and caused a puncture wound to his chin. Another man was injured.
Published: Tue, Sep 15, 2015
