Junkin, who served as the Assembly's liturgical-space coordinator, said the idea for the plates grew from former Moderator Susan Andrews' vision of worship "in the round."

Andrews had said she wanted "lots of colors," Junkin said, so the artists chose to use the bright colors from the Peruvian mantas sported by volunteers from the Committee on Local Arrangements and the pastels from this year's Assembly logo. The only other requirement was that the plates be larger than the pewter ware so that their colors would be visible during the service.

The plate designs followed the Assembly's theme, "That All May Have Life in Fullness," and Andrews' sermon theme of "abundant abundance." Each artist created eight designs and painted 17 plates for the Assembly. Junkin used scripture for her inspiration, while James's plates featured the church year and McMurray's plates told the story of creation.

"At some point, someone also asked me to make a Baptismal bowl," said Junkin, who also designed the 16-inch bowl used in the worship service. The bowl and the original set of 51 plates sold quickly at the Assembly. All proceeds from those sales will go into the General Assembly budget.

The artists will create replicas of the plates to order at a price of $125 each plus shipping. Anyone who wants to order a plate - or a Baptismal bowl, at $225 plus shipping - can do so by sending an email to art4thechurch@hotmail.com.

Junkin said she was surprised by the enthusiastic response to her work, including inquiries from church-related retail outlets.