We started off by learning about the Celtic Cross and Saint Columba. Saint Columba was an Irish monk who played an important part in spreading Christianity throughout Ireland and Scotland. He was born in Ireland in the year 521AD and studied at several Irish monasteries before becoming a Monk himself. He travelled throughout Ireland and Scotland, setting up his most famous monastery on the Scottish island of Iona. 

The Celtic Cross is known for its knotty patterns and designs that appear to have no beginning and no end. They are made using a continuous line that reminds us of God's never ending love. 

We made our own Celtic Crosses:

Kelsey

Lacey

Celtic Crosses have a message of Love. 

Then we learnt about the St Thomas Cross. In the bible Thomas, who was one of Jesus' disciples, wasn't with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them after He had been raised from the dead. Thomas doubted what they said and became known as Doubting Thomas. 

The St Thomas Cross is used in many church services in Finland and other Scandinavian countries. It is carved from wood and is made with an intricate pattern of delicate spirals that are formed by shaving wood on the arms and the upright of the cross, to form curls. 

The curls and spirals represent the many different ways that people worship and the uniqueness of each person who might come before God with questions, doubts, concerns and fears, just like Thomas. 

We then made our own St Thomas Crosses:

Harry

Katerina

St Thomas Crosses have a message of Hope. 

Our final cross was the Ethiopian Cross. After Jesus had died, risen (the Resurrection) and gone back to Heaven, we read in The Bible about a follower of Jesus called Philip and his story about the first known Ethiopian Christian, an important man in the Ethiopian government.  The Ethiopian Cross, also known as the Axum Cross, has many variations but often includes a circle with the Cross set inside it. 

We made our own versions of the Ethiopian Cross:

Lilah

Elodie

Ethiopian Crosses have a message of Peace.