Morning Prayer - Quilting

From the Open Files of: NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center (715)833-1153 Contributed by: Pastor Maren Tirabassi at the Ecumenical Resource Center Gathering, Nov.11,2000 This file is available in Rich Text Format version for editing

The theme of the Nov. 2000 Ecumenical Resource Center Director's Gathering was: God's Quilt: Pieced Together for Resource Ministry. Just as a quilt is pieced together for beauty and warmth, resource center ministry is a collection of unique and varied skills and tasks. Each resource center director was asked to bring a quilt square which represented the ministry of the center. All were brought forward on the opening evening's worship service and attached to a backing. They served as backdrop for the rest of the gathering. Maren wove together the themes of the gathering and Walt Wangerin's stories (He was the major speaker at the gathering) into her worship services. Here is her Morning Prayer service. You might wish to adapt this service for a gathering in your church or synod of quilters, or you might choose to use it for a prayer service with any other group. Quilt squares could be made out of paper with colored designs, or they could be actual quilt squares prepared in advance and brought to the event. The squares could be processed up during the offering, when the thread packets were distributed. While the hymns included in this service fit the theme nicely, others would also work well. Select hymns from your tradition that lift up the themes you wish to emphasize in the prayer and reading. Prelude: If the Scripture is patchwork - then the quilting is the prayer. Song: For the Beauty of the Earth Gathering Prayer: (Maren invited all to speak quietly, yet audibly, the names of individuals) Holy God, our morning prayer is like "in the ditch" quilting. We circle the outlines of our hopes and fears, doubts and wonders, and our lives are clearer as we trace your patterns. We pray this morning for those on our hearts and minds: those we know who are ill... those we know who are grieving... those who need a blessing in their lives... We pray as well for those beyond the border, outside of our personal patterns: national, state and local leaders... those who feel disenfranchised by choices made... places of turmoil and suffering in our world... issues and concerns... We pray for ourselves the background figures in our lives, the appliqué of enthusiasms, the feathers of spirit, the hurt places where the seams come apart, and the unwhispered beauty. Our prayers seem like small and simple stitches but we trust in your design and pray in your Spirit. Amen. Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46 Story: The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau (Maren read this beautiful children's book) Reverse Offering: A Thread of Prayer (Maren passed out to each person a small packet of thread.) Song: "God You Spin the Whirling Planets" Benediction: Stippling - is close background quilting. echoing a sewn design or meandering across the cloth. May prayer stipple your life - echoing your heartfelt hopes and longings letting your spirit meander in surprising stitches.

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