Passion for Arts
Sanctuary Art Glass
Beginning in 2004 the church was honored to work with respected local glass artist Bill May of May Studios to design art glass for our sanctuary. The glass was carefully planned so as not to overwhelm or darken the space. The pattern is based on nature through interpretation, not illustration.
Images are geometric, not literal, and are intended to allow views to the clouds and trees outside. Thoughtful use of both colored and textured glasses help tie our room and organ together and fill the room with an uplifting spirit. These windows help us experience God’s gifts of light and serendipity.
Mouthblown European glass was utilized, with German new antique glass for the clear background areas in the clerestory windows. For the balcony window, the bevels are custom ground and polished. No image can duplicate the brilliance and spirit of the actual glass.
The congregation responded to the design with overwhelming support and funded all the windows in only a few years, mostly through memorial and honorary giving. Click on a window image to discover in whose honor it was created.
Special text for Balcony Window
For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12
I love teaching 3rd and 4th grade Sunday school. I find it is an age where children are beginning to have the ability to discuss topics and form their own opinions. I love watching children discover what the world looks like through their eyes.
Hello, my name is Debbie Babelay. This year I have the wonderful opportunity of teaching the 2-3 year olds in our Sunday School program. They are all precious to me. We have fun learning about God’s love and how each of us is a special child of God. I look forward to their smiling faces each Sunday morning. This is my 3rd year teaching in the Sunday School program. I have also worked with vacation bible school.
I have known Westminster my entire life! I grew up in the church since birth. My faith is rooted in so many wonderful experiences at Westminster such as going on trips with Choristers, Montreat, and a Mission experience to Mexico. I went to college in Alabama at Birmingham-Southern. After college, I lived in Birmingham where I worked in sales. I met and married my husband Wiley there. Jim Carter (former Westminster minister) married us at Independent Presbyterian in Birmingham. Wiley’s career has taken us to New Mexico and Arkansas, and now back to Knoxville. We have been here since 2011. We have 3 children, Ella (11), Grant (7), and Walker (5). I work as the Assistant Director of the preschool at Central Baptist which allows me to have a similar schedule to my children. My favorite job is being their Mom!
Bio: Junior at the University of Tennessee 
I am a senior at UTK majoring in Global Studies with a focus in Economics. I am currently in the process of apply to graduate school for CSP. I love to be outdoors and travel. I also work as an Resident Assistant at Volunteer Hall on campus and enjoy babysitting and baking.
My name is Malena D’Alessandro and I’m a junior studying marketing at the University of Tennessee. I’m originally from south east Michigan where I attended high school at Oxford High School. I am currently part of Spring Sports Ambassadors, Volunteer Team and Best Buddies at UT.