This banner was made for the 150th year anniversary in the year 2000.  All the people that were baptized in North Salem and Bethany are named on small doves hanging from a mobile in the church.  We thought it fitting to also have banners suggesting baptism; hence this banner as a dove.

The descending cut out dove is made of padded cotton in three colors - red, gold and white.  Red is the color of fire, gold is associated with God's abundance and white is for purity, holiness, innocence, faith, and light.
The dove in itself may symbolize peace, purity, meekness, modesty, humility, and divine inspiration.  By far the most common representation of the Holy Spirit is in the form of a dove.  The basis for this is entirely scriptural and may be found in the story of the baptism of Christ.  (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21,22; John 1:31-34.)
Each section of the dove is hand quilted.  The red section is quilted with red metallic thread.  Gold buttons are used for the eyes and also the tips of feathers on the body. Gold braid outlines different colors and the body of the dove. 
The dove is outlined with a heavy black and gold cording.  The gold metallic nimbus donates the deity.