A Service of Blessing and Consecration of Gifts handmade by the “Stitching and Ripping for the Lord” outreach group was held October 6 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. This outreach ministry, started just five months ago by Rev. Ruth Ann Jones of Louisiana’s First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is endorsed by the local Ministerial Alliance. The Christian “Piece-Makers” group was responsible for making 109 “pillow case” dresses that will be delivered by a local Rotarian when he goes to Zambia, Africa next month.
Over 500 items were created and donated, including 157 preemie hats that will go to St. Louis Children’s Hospital; 111 knitted stocking caps for local school children (29 of them being “pony tail hats” for those who need an opening at the top of the cap for their pony tails.) Over 20 scarves were also donated to the schools.
Prayer shawls were distributed to the local Home Health and Hospice, and hats for those with cancer who have lost their hair were donated to the local hospital for distribution. Hand-knitted and hand-crocheted facecloths, with some decorated with embroidered designs, totaled 137 and these will be wrapped around a bar of soap and included in Christmas Shoeboxes that will be packed at the church later this month.
In addition to congregational singing, messages, scripture readings, and special music, the rite of asperges (blessing of the items with Holy Water) was done. Participants in the worship service included Dorothy Webb, Win Cafer, Sharon Kakouris, Rev. Pat Glenn, Fr. William Korte, Rev. Jay Ayers, and Rev. Jones. This was truly an ecumenical project that benefited people locally and even internationally.
Thank you to FCC’s Linda Beer for this story and photos.