Article from the July 2009 St. Lucas Newsletter:

With a note of sadness we acknowledge the end of an era at St. Lucas. The quilting group has elected to disband, a victim of dwindling interest and membership. But I think we should honor the legacy they have left. Countless hours have been donated by this faithful group through the years. Some quilts were sold, with the money raised going for a variety of mission projects. Some quilts were donated to institutions that could use them.

 To be sure, the quilters enjoyed themselves, and those of us in the office have enjoyed their company. We will always remember the weekly, Tuesday mid-morning breaks, featuring a variety of homemade sweets! However, let us never forget the deeper purpose for which they toiled?mission and service to others.

 How ironic (or providential) then, that when Ray and Jane Baggett called the quilters together one last time to throw a banquet in their honor, a mission opportunity emerged. At the precise moment that we sat down to eat, I saw a young boy ambling up the sidewalk. I thought nothing at first, believing he was simply going to pass on through our parking lot, as so many people in Jacobsville do. But then I saw him at the door looking in. I went to the door and engaged him in some light conversation before finding out that he was curious whether we were ?having church'. "No," I said.

 Seeking to ?protect' the moment, I told the young man that the gathering was a private event, but encouraged him to come back on Sunday morning with his family for a good, hot breakfast. Upon returning to the banquet, Ray Baggett?and a few others?wanted to know about my brief encounter, and then forthrightly asked me to query him about joining us for lunch.

 Hailing him back to the church door, I welcomed him in, and then one of those ?God moments' happened. He was embraced by a group of people that many kids his age might find threatening!! (In other words, old, like me!!) They served him, made him feel comfortable, conversed with him about his family and the upcoming school year. He was made to feel genuinely at home. Warmed by a full belly, he politely excused himself and went on his way.

  The young middle-schooler lives a few blocks away, and comes from a large family. We gathered by his demeanor and cryptic comments that the family is economically disadvantaged. He was hungry, and the quilters fed him. Sounds like something Jesus would have done!!

 What a beautiful moment! I was impressed. I was amazed. My spirit has been lifted ever since. Transpiring in our midst was a symbol of what we have come as a church to identify as our mission?to serve Jacobsville without reservation, without reward, without payment.

 Who knows what enduring impression this act of love will have on our young friend. But whatever happens, I want the quilters to know that they concluded their ministry with a flourish of magnificent proportion. Thank you quilters for demonstrating a core value of our church, and properly correcting my mistake.  My initial response had been entirely wrong. "Are you having church?" he asked. The correct answer would have been, "yes, as a matter of fact we are having church; come on in".  Isn't this kind of behavior exactly what church is about?!  Three cheers for our quilters! They welcomed Jesus into our church, in the form of a twelve-year old.

 We salute the quilters of our church. You inspire us to aspire!

I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in!  (Matthew 25:35) 

Pastor Lynn

Join our Quilting Ministry!
Tuesdays at 8:00 a.m.

The quilt auction

St. Lucas' quilt made for the auction

The St. Lucas quilters have made and donated a quilt this year for the Crossroad Institute.  Crossroad provides a variety of programs and services (1) to children who live on campus, (2) by helping children and families who live at home but visit the campus, and (3) by serving the community.

For information visit www.crossroad-fwch.org