For years, the first thing visitors to the Anaheim Vineyard saw when they walked in the door of the building was a beautiful bronze sculpture of Jesus washing Peter’s feet that was the focal point of the foyer as you headed toward the sanctuary. Ever since Max Greiner Jr.’s “Divine Servant” was given to John and Carol Wimber, founders of the church, the children of the congregation have climbed on Jesus’ and Peter’s shoulders and lap until the metal shone bright. (I wrote about the statue a while ago, grieved by the realization that my younger children no longer remembered it.)
When Alan Scott disassociated the church from the Vineyard movement, many of the remaining longtime Vineyard Anaheim family members, including Carol Wimber Wong, and her sister and brother-in-law, Bob and Penny Fulton, found themselves without a spiritual home. Carol’s “Divine Servant” statue was left behind.
A while back, Carol mentioned that the statue had been a gift to John and herself personally, and she expressed a desire to have it returned to her. After several months of discussion with the leadership at Dwelling Place Anaheim (the name of Alan Scott’s church in the building that formerly housed Vineyard Anaheim), today Carol’s desire was fufilled.
Several Vineyard family members came to escort the statue to its new location, and while there were a few tears, overall it was a time of joyful celebration as we watched Carol, Penny, and Bob reunite with the beautiful representation of servant leadership.
I plan to take my children by soon to show them the statue’s new home and get an updated photo of my crew with this beloved piece of their spiritual heritage.
