​Red doors again at St. Stephen’s.

     After many years of having plain oak doors, we have gone back to the traditional red doors of the Episcopal Church.

     Why the Red door?

There are many schools of thought on this.  

     Some say it symbolizes the blood of Christ, poured out for the forgiveness of sins.

     Some say it is to remind us of the Passover, in which God commanded the Hebrews to mark their doors with sacrificial lamb’s blood to protect them from his judgement on the firstborn in the land of Egypt.

     Red also represents the fire of the Holy Spirit.  When we enter the church we place our lives in the sphere of the gift-giving Spirit who births the church, and comforts, strengthens, challenges, refines and transforms us.

     The red doors of churches have traditionally indicated sanctuary, refuge, safety and hospitality.

 

     At St. Stephen’s, we hope that these red doors symbolizes all of the above, and these red doors in particular, say out to all who see them, “We are here, open to all, no matter what your race, creed, or nationality, if you are rich or poor, hurt or well, saint or sinner, we welcome you!”