skeat, keep up/me posted on how it goes. I've thought of doing the same thing at my church - membership of 6000 but no quilting ministry!
At my previous church, the ladies met each week and worked exclusively on charity quilts from donated fabrics, and tied instead of quilted. All the quilts went to Lutheran Social Services. Each year, there was a blessing of the quilts service during regular church and all the quilts made that year were draped over the backs of the pews, the pastors/congregation blessed the quilts to be used for God's glory, then they were taken over to LSS. A very moving and visually stunning service!
For quite a few years we were in transition with pastors and each new pastor knew that he needed to sit and have coffee and pastries with the quilting ladies in order to earn credibility!
Best of luck and keep us posted!