Zion Lutheran quilters craft comfort for those in need worldwide

Quilters at Zion Lutheran Church in Wooster are carrying on a tradition that started more than six decades ago, making a difference one stitch at a time.

“I remember my mother working on a quilt at the church when I was a girl,” said Zion parishioner Julie Mennes, who’s now in her 80s. “We have a group of 6-10 women who still do it. We meet every Thursday, and we have 80 quilts boxed up that will soon be sent to Lutheran World Relief. The quilts measure 60 inches x 80 and could wind up anywhere in the U.S. or in the world. It just gives us great pleasure to know we are making things that will be used and appreciated.”

In addition to the quilts, the Zion group made 100 personal care kits (toothbrushes, soap, toothpaste, etc.) and 100 school kits (pencils, crayons, paper, etc.), which will also be sent out through Lutheran World Relief. The Zion group also donates thread and fabric.

The Zion Lutheran quilting mainstays are Mennes, Lynn Buehler, Gail Picking, Shirley Rodgers, Peg Mahaffey, Pat Drager, Kim Long and Darlene Howard.

“I've heard a number of us say that it takes a village to do what we do, and we all have our unique talents,” Long said. “For instance, I take home the fabric and cut it into pieces and bring it back. Pat is basically the designer and takes it home, lays it out and figures out how the colors are going to go together. Then, Lynn takes them home after we've all worked on it here, and she sews the binding on.”

Many of the quilters have been members of Zion Lutheran for over 50 years, growing up within the church.

“My grandmother was a quilter, but she did a different type of quilting,” Drager said. “We make smaller pieces and tie them together.”

When Drager was asked what she likes about making quilts for the outreach project, she replied, “Knowing that I’m doing something for someone that has been put together with love. We never know where it will end up.”

Two of the biggest highlights of each year are laying the completed quilts over the pews for members to see and looking at the big stacks of boxes before they're shipped out.

It’s often been said that “people who give, wind up getting more back in return.”

The Zion quilters would certainly agree with that.

“The members of our group are mostly retired,” Mennes said. ‘We have fun together, enjoy companionship and the good feeling of helping others.”