The Hunger committee will also provide opportunity for direct donation!

Stories From Years Past - Quilting for ELCA World Hunger
People who know Lorna Thoms, of St. Peter, Tillamook, would say that she doesn’t seek the limelight. She is often the person who seeks to help others. This trait may not seem all that amazing to some, but for Lorna who deals daily with chronic illness, thinking about the needs of others is quite significant.

It has been four years since Lorna had a brush with death. During this time she learned of the opportunity to create a quilt to benefit World Hunger, a cause close to her heart. For the past seven years the Oregon Synod has invited congregations to create a “quilt of art” for the assembly. Proceeds from the sale of these quilts benefit the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. Over the years, this auction has raised more than $28,000 and has helped to alleviate suffering throughout the world.

Lorna first designed a quilt and constructed it with three other ladies from her congregation in Tillamook. The quilt drew great admiration at the synod assembly. She was so overwhelmed at the response; she was compelled to start a new quilt immediately.

Lorna’s most recent project is so well crafted that the congregation felt inspired to display it to the public at large on the world of EBay. The congregation also placed links to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal as well as the Oregon Synod for others to learn about this fantastic ministry opportunity.

Each year after Lorna completes her ‘quilt of art’ she has such satisfaction and excitement that she can’t wait to start the next one. In Pastor Jerry Jeffries opinion, “These quilts are keeping her healthy as she can be.”

Due to restrictions of charity placements on EBay the quilt only appeared on the web for a couple of weeks. At the assembly Lorna’s work of art was again admired by all. It received $500.

Stories From Years Past - Quilting for ELCA World Hunger
A most memorable incident occurred with the quilt auction a few years back. Two friends were in a “bidding war” over a beautiful blue and yellow quilt handmade by a group at Creator Lutheran. The price of the quilt reached over $300. One of the women went off to a workshop, the other woman heard a young adult discussing the quilt on the phone. She had called her mother to see whether the parent would assist her in bidding higher. She was hoping to get the quilt for her first apartment. At hearing this, the second woman ceased raising her bid. By the end of the bidding time, the young delegate had submitted the highest bid and took it off to grace her new apartment. When the first woman returned from her workshop and learned what had occurred, she contacted the congregation and agreed to match the bid, if they would make a quilt for her also. The ELCA World Hunger fund benefited doubly from the gift.

It also meant the group that had gathered to lovingly create the first quilt had a reason to stay together. They have now formed into the Creator “Piecemakers”, and have continued to create works of art. Recently, they hand-quilted a flannel gift for members with terminal diagnosis. “Piecemakers” time quilting is spent in prayer and fellowship. Each quilt is a gift of love, prayer and community. This, of course, was a gift that the Spirit brought into being from an attempt by the synod to raise hunger awareness.

Who knows the Spirit will bring forth at this year’s synod assembly. We can’t promise a new ministry at your congregation, but we do promise that your gift will make a difference for the hungry in our world.