The four-fold quilt tells the story of a community that have loved, lost and learned, and creatively captures their personal prayers of thankfulness, hope, remembrance, and celebration in His creation. The Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, joined members of the church and wider community on Pentecost Sunday for the grand reveal, which showcased months of work by everyone from the local Brownie pack and school children, to ecumenical partners, volunteer services, and people who live, work and worship in the town. The idea for the quilt came together when, in quiet contemplation, Reverend Andrew Race - Vicar to Castle Donington with Lockington cum Hemington - got to thinking about what they could do as a community to memorialise the year. He wanted to do it in a way that wasn’t just one of regret and sadness, but that captured something of thankfulness and hope as well. The quilt is made up of pre-cut square patches, in one of four colours - red representing something to be thankful for; white symbolising hope, purple for someone to remember and green something that inspires about creation or the environment.
He says: “The response of the community, from people of all ages, has been amazing and the variety of artwork and creativity truly over whelming.” Everything from embroidery and applique, to fabric paint and pens have been use to craft these big, bright and beautiful blankets. The four sections of quilt have been made to a specific size, so they can be easily transported and displayed in a variety of venues around the community, and will eventually go on to be used as alter frontals in the church. “This way, the prayers of the community can be all around us and in front of us as we worship,” says Rev Andrew. “The church has been holding the community in prayer, and the symbolism of this quilt holds so much for so many. This is their church and that connection is precious.” When it came to bringing the quilt together, Rev Andrew approached Angie Fox - a certified embroiderer, skilled crafter, and vestments maker with a background in church furnishings - who was excited to be involved with the project. God had quite literally prepared Angie for the task, after she found a book about community sewing projects called ‘Threads of Life’ by Clare Hunter, in a charity shop on holiday some months previously, and read it from cover to cover. She gathered a group of like-minded ladies, who have been meeting for the last few weeks in the Methodist Church Hall to sew the patches together and weave their magic across the four quilts.
“God has been all over this,” she explains. “From praying for this personally, to the way He has brought us four ladies together – of different denominations, another a non-church goer – and in a time when we have all faced personal crises. It has been delightful to spend time together, get to know one another and support each other. It’s been an all-round wholly positive experience.” A book will be made, documenting every patch and revealing the inspiration behind each individual design and prayer. After nearly 16 years of his companionship, Sue’s dog, Toby, died in May 2020. He had been an important part of her life in the 13 years since her husband died, and through him she made many friends in the village. Sue’s patch is in remembrance of Toby. The Brownies are thankful for many things, including school, homes, friends and Zoom - as that means they can all still meet. And equally, 6 year-old Summer says she has had more time as a family than ever and hopes they will always have time together. “Please pray that, as our community navigates its way beyond the fear, grief, pain, and isolation of the pandemic, God will by his Spirit refresh, restore, rebuild and re-vision all his people.” Bishop Martyn added: “It was a joy to celebrate the gift to the church of the Holy Spirit with the people of Castle Donington on Pentecost Sunday, and to dedicate the prayer quilt the community have made. “These last months have been hard for all of us, and particularly devastating for some, but the quilt is a poignant reminder of the importance of communities coming together, and of the love of God for us even in the most difficult of circumstances.” |