Let me begin by saying that I am no quilter. However, I do admire the craft and seeing the end result. I’ve been told that quilters who meet weekly in the church know more about what’s happening in the congregation than most do. These needle and thread ministers are not just sewing together a blanket, they are quilting a church.
And I like the power of a quilt. Each June, Metigoshe Ministries near Bottineau, N. D., has a grand quilt auction and proceeds are used to maintain the camp that has provided many summers of fun and learning for children all over the state and beyond, including my own children. My oldest daughter, Kortni, is a counselor this summer and had the privilege to help display the quits while the auctioneer encouraged the bidding. I’d never been to the auction, but thought it would be fun to see Kortni in action.
What a bounty for Metigoshe Ministries as almost $70,000 was raised on that day. Due to the generosity of those in attendance, the wonderful ministry of quilting goes on after the blanket is sold! The gift keeps on giving.
I think this image is a perfect one to use to describe the church. A patchwork collection of characters who are sewn together by the love of God and the Holy Spirit being the thread quilted through us all. Worship is like a patchwork quilt. We are all a piece of fabric that have been cut and stitched together to make a blanket. God is sewing the Holy Spirit through us. The end result is a beautiful piece of work. Takes your breath away, doesn’t it? The best quilts do. Amen.
Lisa Plorin is a first-term Women of the ELCA executive board member from Upham, N.D.