BISMARCK, N. D. — Rev. Art Scanson, a retired elder of the Dakotas Conference, has found a ministry in woodworking. Scanson has handcrafted more than 13 crosiers for bishops in the North Central Jurisdiction and some bishops in other locations.

Rev. Art Scanson poses with one of the crosiers he created for the newly elected bishops of the North Central Jurisdiction. Photo by jlynn studios.

"I have been making the crosiers for the North Central Jurisdiction since 2000. Every bishop elected in the North Central Jurisdiction receives one," said Scanson. "It is something I can do and it is fun to do."

This year Scanson created three crosiers for the bishops that will be elected to the episcopacy in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where the North Central Jurisdiction conference is being held November 2-5, 2022.

The crosier is the symbol of the governing office of a bishop. In western Christianity, the crosier (known as the pastoral staff, from the Latin pastor, shepherd) is shaped like a shepherd's crook. A bishop bears this staff as "shepherd of the flock of God." 

Strips of oak are laminated together to form each crosier. "Fourteen strips of oak wood, 4 inches x 8 feet long. Each strip is a 3/32 inch thickness, 1 ½ inches wide, and 8 feet long.  They are then glued together in a special jig the shape of the crosier, " said Scanson.  He described that all 14 strips must be placed and clamped into the jig within 30 minutes, before the glue dries.  After 24 hours in the jig, each crosier is crafted, sanded, stained, and finished. 

"It takes about 50 hours to make one crosier," said Scanson.

Crosiers crafted by Rev. Art Scanson to present to newly elected North Central Jurisdiction conference bishops. Photo by jlynn studios.

Each of the crosiers comes with a base or stand. The base allows the crosier to stand straight wherever they are stationed. 

 "I have learned much about making the crosiers over the years," Scanson said. "Getting the base opening shaped so that the crosier will stand straight up and down requires a base that is crafted with two levels, cutting the top level of wood with the grain, and precisely locating the placement of the cut-by-cut for that specific crosier.”

Scanson sews a black canvas carrying case for each crosier and a separate case for each base. The carrying case allows easy travel wherever the bishops want to use them.

"I sew the carrying bags using a Sears sewing machine that my wife, Lorraine, parents gave us 57 years ago. It works well," Scanson said. 

 Different colors of stain are applied to the wood to give each crosier a unique look. Every crosier has four coats of polyurethane.

 "Woodworking has always been a hobby for me," said Scanson. "It became part of my ministry when I was the pastor of a church in Leonard, North Dakota. They didn't have a cross, so I created one out of wood."

 Each bishop uses the crosiers in different ways. The crosier is often used when presiding at worship or church meetings. Some use them as décor in their office. Others use them at Annual Conference sessions as a symbol of spiritual leadership at worship and during business sessions.

"I will continue to do this as long as I am able and for as long as they ask," said Scanson.