Quilt Ministry September Meeting
You’re invited - Please join the Quilt Ministry of St. Matthew’s Saturday, Sept. 11, 9:30 a.m. at the home of Norma Winters, 3420 Hidden Hills Drive in Brookfield for brunch. The group will swap ideas, fabrics, and suggestions for the coming year. All are welcome; including beginners. RSVP to Norma for brunch or need directions to her home at #262-781-8392. Questions: contact Bev Etzelmueller at the church office (414-774-0441) if you have any questions

Quilt Ministry distributes bedding

For several weeks, with the cooperation of many hearts and hands, the Quilt Ministry of St. Matthew's has been the recipients of bedding tranported from the hotel rooms at The Wilderness in Wisconsin Dells to the church. St. Matt's member, Heidi Fendos travels to the Dells about every two weeks on business and brings back bedding in her van. The hotel is in the midst of renovating their rooms and Heidi took advantage of gathering the bedding. The items are transported to church and members of the Quilt Ministry are distributing the bedding. Thus far, the items have been shared with Mark Mallwitz of BASICS for needs within the City of Milwaukee. There are also plans on distributing bedding to The Joy House and the Repairers of the Breach of Milwaukee. 

Quilt Blessing for 2010 - Created with love by Stitches of Love
On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9, all the quilts created in the past year were blessed during the worship services. The Quilt Ministry of St. Matthew's shared their talents and efforts to create over 100 quilts from September-May, 2010.  The quilts received a blessing from the congregation and were distributed to Linus Project, Joy House, ministries through BASICS (Brothers and Sisters In Christ Serving), and Care Net Pregnancy Center of Milwaukee. The Quilt Ministry began in 2003 and a total of 1,160 quilts have been donated to date. 

Photos of the Quilt Blessing 2010 are below [here].

Each item sewn through the Ministry is uniquely created and made with love, just as each of its members who created them has been formed by God. Many different talents, skills, friendship and creative minds woven together to touch the lives of those in need has been a miracle unfolding. Thanks to church members, children, grandchildren and friends of the quilting ministry for their donations. Prior to the quilts and blankets being distributed, all quilts receive a prayer of blessing.

The quilt ministry, Stitches of Love, at St. Matthew’s came into being in late 2003. Total of 1,160 quilts have been donated to date and this concludes our 7th year of creating love and warm to those in need.

Photos of 2010 Quilt Blessing

(Click photo to enlarge.)

St. Matt's Quilt Ministry

Accomplishments of Quilt Ministry Sept., 2009–May, 2010

• 135 quilts created & completed by the St. Matthew’s Quilt Ministry.
• 25+ Dental Bags to be distributed to children in Nicaragua (created from recycled upholstered fabric samples)
• 3 blankets sent to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in SD in conjunction with ELCA Women of Greater Milwaukee Synod
• 225 winter downed vests altered for residents of The Nehemiah House in Milwaukee
• 100+ fleece hats, mittens and hats sewn for MPS children. Many St. Matthew’s members joined in this effort.

Quilts and blankets will be distributed following the blessing through the following organizations:

• The Linus Project – a national organization that distributes blankets as needed to local hospitals and Bethany Christian Services.
• The Joy House – this welcoming home supplies the needs of women and children through Milwaukee Rescue Mission.
• Care Net Pregnancy Center of Milwaukee – serving & supporting the needs of women.
• BASICS (Brothers and Sisters in Christ Serving) – serving the many needs within the City of Milwaukee. Mark Mallwitz serves a director.
• Additional donations are made on an as-needed basis.

Everyone is welcome to join the work of the Stitches of Love Quilting Ministry. Pick up a bright green brochure at the table in the Library Commons for details.

Photos: Prayer Shawl and Quilt Ministry Workshop Jan. 23
A joint workshop of St. Matthew’s Prayer Shawl & Quilt Ministries was held Saturday, Jan. 23. The workshop is an annual gathering open to all members, friends and family focusing on the needs of those seeking healing and warmth. Much was accomplished with busy hands and loving hearts.

The two groups met together with our opening guest, St. Matthew’s member, Sandy Cristan. Sandy volunteers at the Aurora VNA Zilber Family Hospice in Wauwatosa. She shared with us her rewarding experiences at the Hospice Center, the impact of volunteering as well as the sense of peace and love it provides to others. Sandy offers this quote to sum up the comfort of volunteering – “The world is hugged by the faithful arms of volunteers (Everett Mámor)”. In addition, Sandy shared a time of devotions with the group. 

The two ministries separated to work on projects and then joined together again for a light lunch to conclude the workshop.

Contact Jane Sandstrom (262-790-1652) or Bev Etzelmueller (262-250-3969) if you have any questions about the Prayer Shawl or Quilting Ministries.

Photos of the event are [here].

Hat, Mittens and Scarves Project a Success
Thank you to everyone that helped make our fleece project a success. We have gathered more than 100 items to be distributed to children in need. We will continue collecting items through the end of January. The collection box is on the table outside the library. More fleece material is still available for those who would like to sew additional items. It is under the collection box. Again, a big THANK YOU to everyone!!

New "Quiet Sacs" provided by Quilt Ministry for children in worship
For many years, we have had "Children's Quiet Sacs" (also known as "Activity Sacks" or by other names) for children to use during worship. Since Summer 2009 additional new beautiful cloth bags have been used by these children, thanks to the Quilt Ministry.

These activity bags contain crayons, colored pencils, scratch paper, few short story books, activity sheets for the kids to stay busy and "quiet" during worship.

Originally made by Norma Pence about 10 years ago. Pastor Gary liked them and asked her to make some additional ones a few years ago. Norma purchased the fabric to make them, but moved before she could complete the project, so the fabric was given to Quilt Ministry to complete. In early 2009, there were 20 additional sacks completed and the 6th grade Sunday School class decorated them.

Thank you to both groups for these wonderful additions to our worship ministry!