As little kids, many of us owned security blankets.
Sometimes they were old family hand-me-downs, faded and worn by time, use and love.
Sometimes they were brand new, but usually ended up looking old because they got dragged everywhere from the sandbox to the supermarket.
To adults, your security blanket was probably seen as just a piece of ordinary fabric with a lot of stains, but to you, it was protection, warmth, comfort and a symbol that you were loved.
You never outgrow the feelings embodied by the security blanket. In fact you probably need them even more as an adult, especially if you’re sick or lonely.
For the past two years, a group of caring ladies at Thomas United Methodist Church have been spreading the security blanket’s positive feelings to the terminally ill and senior citizen shut-ins by creating special quilts made with a little bit fabric and thread and lots of prayers.
Called “Prayers and Squares,” the ministry meets on the first Saturday of each month to make quilts for those in need upon request.
The program began a few years ago with the making of a quilt for a 35-year-old male parishioner, who was terminally ill and has since passed away.
Since then, the ladies have sewed and distributed a total of eight quilts and are currently working on two more.
Each quilt contains a variety donated patches of material and some designs are tailor-made to suit the future owner’s specific interests.
“If there’s something a particular person likes – like this one here has dogs on it, the woman we’re making this for loves dogs – we’ll put a little bit of material in it that has to do with their personality,” said quilter and parishioner Mary Jo Basela.
It typically takes the group two monthly sessions – approximately eight hours total – to complete one lap quilt, which is 40 inches long and 60 inches wide.
When a quilt is ready, it’s dedicated to the person it was made for on the following Sunday morning.
All the knots in the quilt are purposely left untied until after the worship service.
At that time, each member of the congregation comes forward to tie a knot and say a personal prayer for the recipient.
According to Pastor Gloria Haynes, who’s also part of the “Prayers and Squares” ministry, each quilt contains at least 100 knots, which translates into at least 100 prayers.
Once all the knots are tied and prayers said, the quilt is delivered to its new owner.
“It really puts a physical presence of God with them and the love of God’s community,” Haynes said. “They know that people are praying, but to actually have something they can hold and see reminds them during the really tough times.”
Besides helping others, Basela said she enjoys the “fellowship” the quilting ministry offers her.
“I enjoy getting together with all the women and discussing the person we’re making (the quilt) for and our concerns for them,” she said.
In addition to being a positive force in the community,”Prayers and Squares” also inspired an upcoming fund-raising event for the church.
On Saturday, Oct. 25, the United Methodist Women are sponsoring a quilt show entitled, “With These Hands.”
The event will display a wide variety of quilts ranging from those made by parishioners and other community members to rare antiques.
“The sanctuary will be full of quilts,” Haynes said,
Sorry, but none of the show quilts will be for sale.
Admission to the show is $3 per person.
For an additional $3 visitors can enjoy a delicious soup luncheon and top off their meal by purchasing a $3 item from the church bake sale.
All the items in the bake sale will be made using recipes from the church’s updated cookbook.
Thomas United Methodist Church is located 504 First St. – four miles north of Oxford Village. Turn right (east) off M-24 onto Thomas Road (? mile north of Oakwood Road), head to First St., then turn right again. The church is two blocks up and on your left.