FPC LOGO

Our logo is a stylized heart and apple. We are in the heart of Winchester. Winchester is in the heart of Virginia's apple country.

We are God's heart in the world.

The heart symbolizes
compassion -- God's compassion for the world and our compassion for others.

The apple also serves a symbol for spiritual nourishment.

The two curved red lines symbolize the nurturing arms of our
community which embrace and cradle the three seeds of faith. The three seeds of faith represent the reality that our community's life is centered around the Triune God.

The colors reference the colors of the seal of the Presbyterian
Church, U.S.A.

The color red = the Holy Spirit.

The color blue = the waters of creation and the waters of baptism.

 

The PC (USA) Seal: A Closer Look

https://pcusa.org/resources/pcusa-seal

The seal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a symbolic statement of the church's heritage, identity, and mission in contemporary form. Its power depends on both its simplicity and complexity, as well as its traditional and enduring qualities.

Symbols within the Cross

The Cross

PC(USA) seal highlighted the symbol for the cross

The basic symbols in the seal are the cross, Scripture, the dove, and flames. The dominant structural and theological element in the design is the cross — the universal and most ecumenical symbol of the Christian church. The cross represents the incarnate love of God in Jesus Christ and his passion and resurrection. Because of its association with Presbyterian history, the Celtic cross was chosen as a model for this contemporary rendering of the ancient symbol.

The Dove

PC(USA) seal highlighted the symbol for the dove

The slightly flared shape of the Celtic cross also makes possible the transforming of the uppermost section into the shape of a descending dove. As a symbol of the Holy Spirit, the dove is intimately tied to the representation of the Bible, affirming the role of the Spirit in both inspiring and interpreting Scripture in the life of the church. The dove also symbolizes Christ’s baptism by John and the peace and wholeness which his death and resurrection bring to a broken world.

The Lectern

PC(USA) seal highlighted the symbol for the lectern/pulpit

Beneath the image of the book is the suggestion of a lectern or pulpit, which captures the important role of preaching in the history of Presbyterian worship.

The Flames

Symbols of the PC(USA) Seal - Flames

Integrated into the lower part of the design are flames that form an implied triangle, a traditional symbol of the Trinity. The flames themselves convey a double meaning: a symbol of revelation in the Old Testament when God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and a suggestion of the beginning of the Christian church when Christ manifested himself to his apostles at Pentecost and charged them to be messengers of the good news of God’s love.

The Triangle

PC(USA) seal highlighted the symbol for the triangle

The triangle also suggests the nature of Presbyterian government, with its concern for balance and order, dividing authority between ministers of the Word and laypeople and between different governing bodies. This understanding of the church was based in part on an important idea in Reformed theology, the covenant, which God establishes with people to affirm God’s enduring love and to call us to faith and obedience to Jesus Christ.

Other Theological Symbols

PC(USA) seal highlighted the symbol for the fish

Looking more closely at some of the visual components of the design, viewers may discover elements that seem to fuse with some of the more obvious theological symbols. In the shape of the descending dove, for example, one might also discern in the body of the bird, the form of a fish, an early Christian sign for Christ, recalling his ministry to those who hunger. For some, the overall design evokes the calligraphy of Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. Others have seen a baptismal font or a communion chalice (cup).