Unitarian Universalist Church Rockford, IL Magnet

The Rehnberg Memorial Window was created by Rockford, Illinois artist, Frank Houtkamp in 1974 for the Unitarian Universalist Church in Rockford, on commission from the family of Axel F. Rehnberg (1883-1966), an inventor and co-founder of the Rehnberg-Jacobsen Manufacturing Co. Symbols beginning on Top and proceeding counter clockwise: Celtic Cross –Christianity Eight-Spoked Wheel-Buddhism Yin & Yang-Taoism Star of David-Judaism Sign of OM-Hinduism Star & Crescent-Islam Chalice (center)- Unitarian Universalism The interlocking six circular representation of the six major religions indicated that they all share the same quest for meaning. The center symbol of the flaming chalice represent’s Unitarian Universalism’s willingness to accept insight from all these faith traditions, as well as a determination to explore all new clams to truth and understanding. “One of the less talked about advantages to living in this universe is that if you draw a circle and six other circles identical to it on each of its 60° radii that same distance from its center, the six will all invariably lie the same distance from each other. Simple mathematics offers various reasons and even “proof” of this fact based on equilateral triangles, parallel lines, etc., but these reasons are only tools to understanding—related phenomena– but equally mysterious and improvable. Still, there is an underlying truth within them without which they could not exist. Symbolically depicted in the six circles are six traditional paths humans have taken to experience and recall the truth. Despite their differences, they are all bound by the laws of the universe. Like the interlocking circles, these laws are overlapping, infinite, and elusive. Each is a mirror image of the center, but each encompasses infinite variety.”-Frank Houtkamp Creator of Rehnberg Window