Lutherans who work with fibers often turn to their fabric or yarn when faced with calamity. It’s calming to work with fibers, and productive outcomes (quilts or shawls) often go to those facing the calamity directly. It’s no different with the Russian assault happening in Ukraine. Here are some ways you can employ fiber and make a positive impact on this developing humanitarian crisis. (Read through to the end to learn how you can offer financial support.)
Quilts and kits you’ve previously made are being sent to aid those directly impacted by the assault on Ukrainian people, Lutheran World Relief reports. When you’re feeling helpless and don’t know what to do, you can continue making quilts and assembling kits. LWR will need to replenish supplies, and you can make a positive contribution with your work. Maybe you can even invite someone new to the efforts.
Praying is always an appropriate response: prayers for those directly impacted, prayers for world leaders, prayers for peace and justice. Combine your prayer petitions and yarn by making prayer shawls or prayer squares. While your shawls and squares might not end up in the hands of a Ukrainian, they can benefit people closer to home. Check out Women of the ELCA’s free resource Knitting as a spiritual practice. For patterns, do an online search for more information about prayer shawls and prayer squares or check with other fiber artists in your congregation or community. We’ve run a blog post (our most popular ever!) that included prayer squares and you can check there too for a prayer square pattern.
Financial support is always a welcome response, too. Getting money where it can make the most direct impact is important. Gifts can be made to:
Lutheran Disaster Response (ELCA)
Lutheran World Relief
Lutheran World Federation
Today at lunch a group of women from Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge, TN were hoping that some of our blankets would go to Ukraine. Thank you!