The icon of Mary and the Infant Jesus placed over the entrance door to St. Paul’s Church is a memorial to Sarah Jane Hastings. Sarah Jane was a long time member of St. Paul’s Church. In 2006 shortly before she died, she attended a woman’s retreat called “Entering the Heart of Mary” lead by Rev. Mary Louise Hints. The retreat was the origin of Sarah Jane’s new found interest in Mary and increasing the awareness of the female presence in the church.
The icon was written with intention by Lucia Dugliss. An icon is intended as an object of veneration and prayer. Lucia came to St. Paul’s and looked at the space and with Sarah Jane in her heart, she prayerfully wrote the icon.
Sarah Jane was born in Indianapolis, In in 1925. She met her husband Thomas and they married in 1961. Their son, Scott, was born in 1964. Sarah Jane was very active at St. Paul’s. She was a member of St. Anne’s Guild and sang in the folk choir. She also served on the vestry. Sarah Jane had always loved music and she enjoyed dancing. She would invite Father Christopher to dance at the “Wine and Spirit” dinner dance. She wrote music and lyrics for a CD called “Pieces of My Heart”.
Sarah Jane died in 2006, Her funeral was at St. Paul’s. The Icon of Mary and the Infant Jesus is a memorial to her life.
~Joy Moss