Imagine something that you made, actually put your hands and skill to, is sent halfway around the world. Picture that creation bringing comfort to a stranger while they journey from their war-ravaged home to a new life in Germany, or France, or Ireland. For the Calvary Women of the ELCA, and their Love Day group, it's reality. They have been creating mission quilts for nearly 50 years. The 78 quilts they made last year were distributed to the refugee program in Syria.
On Saturday, October 10, they will be hosting a Mission Quilt Open House from 1 to 4pm. The theme is Touch our Quilts, Say a Prayer. Visitors are encouraged to tour the Narthex Welcome Center and Worship Sanctuary, view the completed quilts, touch them and pray for those who will eventually receive them.
The quilts are constructed with donated fabric and materials, and the ladies meet the first and second Tuesdays of each month to work on them. They exceeded last years tally, completing 100.
The group works in conjunction with Lutheran World Relief to distribute the quilts to those in need due to natural disasters, civil wars, economic strife, or other life shattering events. Recipients can use the quilts for many purposes: warmth, shade from the sun, a soft place in the night, a baby carrier, a way to transport goods or belongings, a market display when spread upon the ground. Most importantly, the group says, it's a reminder that someone cares.
After the open house, the quilts will be blessed during worship service on Sunday, October 11.
Calvary Lutheran Church is located at 1301 Williams Street, Angola, IN.
