Polly Bond entry 2026
Category: Visual Arts / booklet
Lift High the Cross: A Grace-Filled Goodbye at Calvary Hillcrest
A Service of Leave-Taking and Holy Eucharist
This booklet is a reflection of the leave-taking service held for Calvary Episcopal Church, Hillcrest in Wilmington, Delaware. It was the final service for Calvary Church.
Goals:
The goal of this eight-page booklet was to preserve and honor the sacred moment of Calvary Episcopal Church’s final service through a thoughtfully designed, visually rich reflection that would serve both as pastoral care and historical record. By pairing a written narrative with compelling photography and video of the final song played during the procession (Lift High the Cross), the booklet sought to extend the liturgy beyond the service itself—allowing parishioners, diocesan members, and those unable to attend to revisit the moment.
The design aimed to hold grief and gratitude in balance, visually reinforcing themes of closure, continuity, and hope. Through image selection, pacing, and layout, the booklet invites readers into a prayerful remembrance, emphasizing that while a building may close, the witness of the people and the presence of Christ endure.
Summary:
This eight-page booklet presents a reflective narrative of the final service held at Calvary Episcopal Church in Wilmington, marking the closing of a congregation founded in 1855. Written by Cynde A. Bimbi, the article is woven throughout the booklet alongside compelling images captured during the service, creating a visual and written meditation on faith, farewell, and hope.
Photography includes moments from the liturgy, the procession of the veiled cross, the altar illuminated by a spotlight and draped in white cloth, and images of clergy, wardens, parishioners, and gathered guests. These visuals were intentionally curated to reflect both the solemnity and the grace of the moment. The booklet also incorporates a video of the final hymn, “Lift High the Cross,” played during the procession, allowing readers to engage the service not only through memory but through sound and movement.
Together, text, imagery, and video form a cohesive storytelling experience that documents the closing of a sacred space while affirming the enduring life of the Church as the people of God.
AI was used for editing purposed.
Audience:
The primary audience for this booklet includes current and former members of Calvary Episcopal Church, diocesan leadership, clergy, and members of the Episcopal Church in Delaware. A secondary audience includes Episcopalians beyond the diocese and others interested in church history, pastoral transitions, and the theology of sacred endings.
The booklet was designed to speak both to those who were present at the service and to those who could not attend, offering an accessible and prayerful way to witness, remember, and reflect upon the closing of a congregation.
Metrics:
Feedback from parishioners, clergy, and diocesan leaders reflected appreciation for the booklet’s tone, design, and emotional sensitivity, with many noting that it helped them process grief while also holding space for gratitude and hope.
Engagement with the booklet demonstrated that readers were spending time with the content rather than simply viewing it. Informal responses indicated that the booklet was shared among parishioners and families as a keepsake and pastoral resource.