Ascension : News From The Grotto - Thought For The Week
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 15.12.2011 (Article Archived on 29.12.2011)

Some of you might have noticed a new addition at the Grotto recently. We have a nice cross by the island in the driveway.

“The Old Rugged Cross”

Some of you might have noticed a new addition at the Grotto recently.  We have a nice cross by the island in the driveway.  Gene came up with the idea not too long ago, that it would be nice to have a cross made of old wood, our very own “Old Rugged Cross”.  A visit to the pile of old telephone poles behind Red Hill, and we found what we wanted and dragged it home.  After getting the old bolts off (well, most of them at least), we handed our treasures over to Melvin Moyce who built the cross for us.

Melvin has been a treasure to me, both at the Grotto and the Heritage Society.  He has built so many things, assisted us with displays, and refinished furniture.  He is a brilliant carpenter and all I have to do is give him an idea of what I am looking for and he produces something much better!  Thanks, Melvin for all your help over the years!

There is a hymn called “The Old Rugged Cross”.  It was written in 1912 by George Bennard, a Methodist evangelist from Ohio.  Over the years it has been recorded by a diverse number of singers.  It was a reflection of Bennard’s experiences in his life.   

The cross is undoubtedly the most recognized symbol of Christianity.  To all of us it represents the sufferings that Jesus experienced in order to ensure our salvation.  Every church has crosses.  Here at the Grotto we have one on the roof, and a beautiful one inside, again built by Melvin.  The cross can be found in most Christian homes, is part of the Catholic Rosary, and is worn around the necks of many of the faithful. 

That is why we wanted to have a larger cross on the property of the Grotto.  And what better way to represent the people and the faith of Ascension than to build one out of old wood, wood that had once had another purpose.  Rugged is a term that embodies this island.  The terrain is rugged, and the early inhabitants had to deal with living and building amongst the ruggedness and unforgiving conditions that are Ascension Island.

The Grotto was built by the American servicemen who arrived in 1942 to carve out an airfield from this rugged, forbidding terrain.  They used what was available; rocks to build the original Grotto, which stands still as a tribute to their determination.  What better site to have its own “Old Rugged Cross”?  The chorus of the song sums it up: 

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down:

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.

Of course, things do not always work out exactly the way we planned.  Originally the plan was to situate the cross on the top of the little island in the driveway.  Unfortunately wherever Melvin tried to dig, he was met with solid rock, making it impossible to put the cross in its intended position.  I guess we know now why the island is there; we were never sure before.  Apparently the driveway was built around a rock pile that could not be moved! 

So, the cross stands just in front of this immovable rock pile, a testament that as people of faith, we can bend to accommodate the obstacles we encounter in life.  It stands proud, a symbol of our faith and determination to see it in place.  As we travel through the season of Advent, a time when we celebrate the renewal of our faith, it is fitting to see a beautiful symbol of that faith standing in our Grotto.  It reminds us that we need friends to help us accomplish our goals, and we thank Melvin, a superb carpenter, for making our dream a reality.  Jesus was a carpenter, a builder who shaped the Christian faith.  This is what we need in our lives; someone to help us build our lives, our faith and our dreams.

This week, as we move closer to Christmas, may we enjoy the social events of the season, and remember to be thankful for the reason for the season, and for those friends who help us reach our goals and dreams.  They are truly a gift from God.

May God bless us all in the season of Advent.