We are thrilled to announce that we will soon be receiving the beautiful Be Welcoming bronze sculpture by renowned Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz. Our installation will join other notable locations around the world hosting this piece, including St. Thomas in Canterbury.
Scheduled to arrive this August, this artwork will find its new home at our Burrard doors entrance. Inspired by Hebrews 13:2, the sculpture invites us to reflect on hospitality and seeing the sacred in the stranger.
Once the installation is complete, we will host a special dedication ceremony to celebrate. Stay tuned for more details and dates to come!
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The “Be Welcoming” Sculpture was created in 2019, inspired by the same scripture text that is at the center of the “Angels Unawares” monument in St. Peter’s Square, Hebrews 13:2 “Be welcoming to strangers, many have entertained angels unawares.”
The sculpture is a visual interpretation of what is considered one of the most beautiful, poetic passages in the Bible. The sculpture shows a weary traveler/pilgrim who visually transforms into an angel when one walks over to the seat that the figure is welcoming the viewer to take. “Be Welcoming” shows us that all humanity possesses a spiritual nature resembling angels. It reminds us that we can become like angels on our journey through life, and also that spirituality is found only when one is generous to oneself, others, and God.
The sculpture has already been installed on some of the most spiritual places in the world associated with Christian pilgrimages, El Camino de Santiago in Spain and the St. Padre Pio Shrine in Southern Italy.
More about the sculpture and Timothy's work can be found be here.