Prayer time is a very important element of our Sunday-morning worship service at Peace United Church of Christ. The Prayer Quilt Ministry adds a simple yet meaningful dimension to this tradition. When we learn of someone who is need of extra prayers, often for reasons of ill-health or bereavement, a lap-size quilt bearing many loose pairs of tie threads is passed around the congregation during the service. Each person offers a prayer for the individual and ties two threads into a bow as a symbol of that prayer. Afterward, the quilt, fully tied as a representation of dozens of personal prayers, is given to the person in need. Any member of the congregation can request a quilt in behalf of someone for whom they have concerns by speaking with one of our pastors.
The prayer quilts themselves are created by a growing group of dedicated church members. Some love to sew, and they fashion the quilt tops at home. Others enthusiastically attend monthly meetings where the loose ties are added to nearly completed quilts and where quilts-in-the-making are pinned together. Volunteers are welcome!
The Prayer Quilt Ministry has no formal budget; quilt makers furnish materials themselves or use fabric that has been donated to the project. We meet on the second Thursday of each month from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in Peace Hall.
We will always be grateful to the quilters of Peace United Church of Christ in Hartsburg, Missouri, who shared their prayer quilt concept at a statewide denominational meeting in 2002. Our congregation has been and continues to be blessed by following their lead.
