The ladder caught me by surprise as the offertory music played—a bit longer than usual. Standing beside the altar I had an unique view of the lush green colours and various shapes which make up the fibre art installation, but it was the stark black ladder that drew me into the orchard scene, and the same ladder steps which pulled me upward and out of the scene again.
Designed and produced by Summerland’s own Susan Lopatecki, the “Common Time” reredos is located directly above and behind the altar in St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Summerland. I immediately thought of the ubiquitous orchard ladders seen all over Summerland at this time of year. St. Stephen’s is nestled in orchard and wine country.
Simultaneously I thought about Jacob’s ladder, a ladder leading to heaven that was featured in a dream the biblical Patriarch Jacob had during his flight from his brother Esau in the Book of Genesis (chapter 28). The story of God’s encounter with Jacob mesh well with lives of resident orchardists. Everyone has “ladder stories” here, some involving first responders.
“Common Time” is one of many artistic creations switched in and out of a large wooden frame, a movable feast of colour and design suited to match the liturgical season.
Spearheaded by former parishioner Joanne Forsyth and members of SS Altar Guild, this special commission was funded in part from the Dorothy Bayles Bequest Fund. Completed and installed in 2022 during the early days of COVID, it reflects the season—sometimes called Trinity, or Pentecost, in Ordinary Time—a particular liturgical space which connects with the Christian spiritual journey in toto, not with specific seasons or themes such as Advent, Lent, or Easter. The artist, Susan Lopatecki described the conceptual challenge in these words:
I considered the meaning and implications of “common time” and perceived it to be a time about renewal, both new life now and anticipation of future growth.
The upper left corner is quiet, ready to grow. It depicts a time of regrowth and renewal with anticipation of a coming time. It is a contemplation, a time for reflection, moving from the past and looking forward to the new season.
The ladder is very much a part of Okanagan life with ladders being a basic tool for orchard work and an allusion to Jacob’s ladder. Everyone who grew up here has ladder stories.
Susan tried to make the reredos so that it can be seen in different ways at different times. Three dimensional outlining was used to convey the idea of impermanence.
The three quail are there as if waiting for the remainder of their flock to arrive.
Other St. Stephen’s reredos inserts have used designs and the production skills of a variety of artists, some local, and others from afar. For the Common Time project the St. Stephens’ Altar Guild used one artist, a well-known local business owner and fibre artist whose work is showcased at Sass Boutique, a brick-and-mortar shop that sells beautiful high-end fashion from two boutiques in the Okanagan, one in Summerland and one in Penticton. They also have products on their website that are available to ship anywhere in Canada.
For the technically minded, Susan describes her process for this project: The surface is all of hand-dyed silk worked over a ground of wool with an organic cotton quilt batt as the foundation. The desired effect is to give depth. It was worked in four pieces which were then assembled and decorated. The ladder, leaves, and quail were added after that. Depth and texture of the surface were created by needle felting, a process which uses barbed needles to apply details.
The reredos was blessed by the Bishop of Kootenay, the Right Reverend Lynne McNaughton in a service February 6, 2022 that was shared by Zoom with only a few in actual attendance, including Dorothy’s daughter.
It is considered to be our finest reredos by many. Come and see for yourself, Sundays at 10 or call the church to gain access during weekdays. But be careful please—Altar Guild members and others have had to be reminded that loose threads are part of the work and are NOT to be removed.
Every once in a while, liturgy, theology, communal and personal experience jive effectively to inspire a blessing. In a note to Judith Chidlow, Susan noted that one aspect of working in textiles is the connections one finds with other people, who may use many different techniques, but share a love of fibre (and of each other?).
This past Sunday, standing near the altar, enjoying time and circumstance, I was truly blessed. I hope others had a similar experience. Thanks Susan Lopatecki and others for the great gift you have shared with us all.
Postscript—After Sunday’s service we played a recording The Woodsman’s Song, by Bird Courage that connected orchard, and woodsman, and the spirit of the season. Enjoy.
The son of the woodsman runs
Into the orchard tended to by the sun
The feet of the mother’s son
Will take him away to the places you once sung
Only in the grave
The eyes of the woodsman stay
Gentle and gray as the grass you lay upon
Only in the rain
He sees the grain
Counts the years
Hides the pain
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 
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