In Praise of Quilters

Every year thousands of quilters across the country gather fabric and thread and sew hundreds of thousands of quilts for distribution through Lutheran World Relief.  In our Synod, there are hundreds of quilters who make quilts both for LWR, and for local use, as well.  And some also make health kits and school kits to distribute to God’s beloved children across the globe.

Quilters are doing God’s work with their hands.  Taking scraps of fabric, sewing them together,  praying over them and then sending them off—this is truly God’s work.  We often wonder what sort of difference an individual can make.  Quilters make a difference.  Each quilt is given to a person in dire need—the world’s neediest people get these quilts.

People use these quilts for warmth and for shelter.  Some use them to carry their belongings, others to carry a child.    One quilt may not seem like it is making a difference.  But it does.  It does to the individual who receives it.  It is concrete evidence that someone cares, that someone who will never meet them, and wants nothing in return cares.  And, taken together, the hundreds of thousands of quilts that are gathered every year make a powerful statement that Lutherans care.

Winter is approaching in the northern hemisphere, and there are many shivering refugees who will be grateful for the gift of a quilt.

When I visit congregations I try to bring a bag of fabric to donate to the quilters there.  I am so grateful for what they do, and I want to help out.  If you have quilters in your congregation, please thank them.  And if you do not, consider starting a group.  There are lots of quilters around, and they would be happy to help you out. Or you can donate your fabric to them, like I do.  One of the wonderful things about quilting groups is that they work together.  As Christians
we are much more effective when we work together.  So whether you quilt, or donate fabric or donate shipping costs or pray, you are part of the body of Christ, working together, doing God’s

work with your hands.  Thank you.

In Christ,

Jessica Crist, Bishop