Christopher Den Blaker, 57

After his amazing survival for over ten years from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a.k.a. Lou Gehrig’s disease), Christopher Den Blaker, 57, died Saturday morning, February 3, at his residence in Manhattan, New York City, from complications of pneumonia. He had just returned the previous Friday evening from a trip to Hong Kong where he was receiving acupuncture treatments to slow down the deterioration of his nerve cells. His remains will be cremated on Tuesday, February 6. A Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for his life will be held on the afternoon of Sunday, April 15, 2007 at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 240 E. 31st Street, New York, NY 10016. Chris would have celebrated his 58th birthday on that date.

Chris was an accomplished and multi-talented craftsman, sculptor, silversmith, painter and photographer. Two of his finest artistic pieces are a moving processional cross commissioned by historic All Hallows–By-The-Tower in London and an austerely beautiful and evocative chalice presented by the delegation from the National Council of Churches of the United States to the China Christian Council in Shanghai, on their first visit to China in 1982.

Among his other commissions, he created the seal rings for several bishops of the Episcopal Church, including that of retired Presiding Bishop Edmund Browning. He designed and produced the seal ring for the office of the Secretary of the General Convention. He also produced the pectoral crosses for several bishops, including Bishop Barbara Harris, Bishop Catherine Roskam, Bishop Frederick Borsch, Bishop Orris Walker, Bishop Paul Moore, and for a number of overseas bishops. He collaborated with the late Canon Edward West at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in the Diocese of New York on many projects throughout the Episcopal Church and ecumenically. His final work with Canon West was to illustrate part of the book entitled Outward Signs, The Language of Christian Symbolism.

An ardent Episcopal layperson, Chris saw his life as an instrument used by God in expressing and illuminating spiritual truths in the patterns and rhythms of life through his art. In 1982 he was featured in a chapter of the Mission Study publication prepared jointly by several offices at the Episcopal Church Center in New York. The publication was entitled The Work You Give Us To Do. When asked of his life, talent or artistry, he would refer to himself as a “glove on the hand of God.”

In the Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry community, Chris is fondly remembered as one who designed and crafted the EAM Cross, which features a distinctive lotus flower in the center of the cross, an adaptation of the symbol of the historic Nestorian Christianity in China, one of the earliest contextualization of Christianity in Asia. He had a deep interest in helping and advancing the works of the EAM, especially the scholarship for seminarians and the youth and young adult ministries.

Chris is survived by his sister, Dr. Laura Den Blaker, his brother, Peter Den Blaker, and companion, The Rev. Dr. Winston Ching. May Chris rest eternal in the hand of God.

- WB Vergara, Coordinator, Ethic Congregational Development, Episcopal Church Center

" Chris has been a constant presence in our EAM community for many years. I best remember him climbing the highest point he could, just to be able to capture the best group picture of all who came to the annual EAM Consultation, wherever it happened to be. According to Winston Ching, a service of thanksgiving and celebration of Chris's life will be at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Manhattan April 15, 2007 on Chris's birthday. Any donations received will be dedicated to EAM Youth and Young Adult Scholarship Fund.”

- Christina Hing, Chair, Diocese of New York EAM