question about charity quilts
 

I'm joining my church's quilting group (finally making time for it). They make 60-80 quilts for Lutheran World Relief each year.

And, since it is a church group that's doing it, and it would be nice (IMHO) to have the recipients know why we are sending these quilts (because it's a mission and we're serving God's people wherever they may be), I was wondering if it would be a good idea or a bad idea to include just one block of Christian fabric. Maybe one of the ones pictured below. We'd like for the recipients to know that we care, but also WHY we care.

I thought I would run it by the people here, because I know a lot of you do make charity quilts.

(I will also ask Lutheran World Relief.)

So what do you think?

If your Lutheran Relief will accept quilts with that fabric then I think itis wonderful! I would be surprised if they didn't have some written rules covering Christian fabrics. IMHO when a Christian organization gives it should be expected that the gift will have some Christian witness with it. If a country wants to refuse help because it doesn't want the influence of the Christian symbols, then, IMHO, it should apply for help from a non Christian source. Christians give because Christ gave us the instruction to love, to show God's love to others. I think it should be expected the help would be different than help from a government agency or from a different type of religion.

Depending on where the quilts are sent, would showing a Christian symbol put the recipient at risk? Some countries/groups are not very tolerant of religion in general.

I have had some experience quilting for LWR and have read some of their literature (online and from mailings). My understanding is that Christian and patriotic symbols are not desired on the quilts. The reason is that LWR partners with different agencies in different countries - MANY different agencies. This is in an effort to be efficient with the distribution. In fact, LWR has an excellent rating when it comes to low overhead. Lutheran World Relief is a disaster relief agency that does not care what nationality or religion the recipients are, and it respects the beliefs of the recipients and refugees it serves. It puts a lot of energy into finding partner agencies that it can trust to do fair distribution and that are free of graft.

When LWR receives quilts from donors, it is often in bulk from the trucks that collect blankets. They package for efficient shipping, and as far as I know, they do not do much inspection -- certainly not enough to separate quilts suitable for one ethnic group from another. To me the mission is to provide relief, and the Christian witness is through the giving.

I applaud your involvement! I think you will find it a rewarding experience to be working with others in your church who so lovingly are giving of their time, talent, and materials to help people who are in dire need.

I will follow this thread to see if anyone has heard differently from LWR. I know that the guidelines do change from time to time.

Dayle

Each organization that takes part in quilt charities may have its own requirements. Some groups are very particular. I would pose this question at a higher level in the organization.

One more thing I forgot to mention --

Your quilting group at church may well be making other quilts for people in the community in addition to LWR quilts, and it would be very appropriate for you to use your Christian fabric in those. They may be lap blankets for nursing home residents, quilts for camps and youth group homes, or quilts for shelters. My mother's group makes quilts for members of the congregation who enter assisted living. Other churches make prayer quilts for someone suffering illness or loss -- the Christian symbol fabric would be so welcome in those quilts!

Dayle

I would not use the fabric in those quilts you are sending overseas. I believe the posts above have given valid reasons for not doing it. Keep your quilt donations non reigious I would also avoid other specific symbols that might suggest politics or contrary to the culture where the quilts may be going. Christian witness is your making something useful and comforting to those receiving the quilt.

it is usually best to keep your charity quilts as (generic)---non-controversal---as possible. you don't want to cause problems- you want to provide comfort and warmth.
religious, political, racial should all be avoided

a gift of comfort and warmth should be just that. the minute you start to claim credit for it, it's not charity any longer...it's a deal.

As long as a church mission I don't see anything thing wrong with using it.

Agree that the quilts with religious symbols would be more appropriate in a setting like a nursing home, especially one affiliated with the church, or maybe just a membr of the congregation. Wouldn't it be kind of a cool idea for each new confirm and to receive a quilt at the time of comfirmation? Or for each child baptized in the church to receive a quilt at the time of baptism?

would you want your quilt to be tossed in a dumpster because it was inappropriate to the receiver.
Lets respect the work of the church. They don't go in preaching but "doing good works" Religious oriented quilts have no place on the mission field unless they are specifically asked for. I have lived overseas and and well acquaited with the work of any church's mission work. Be safe and know the quilt will cover a body on a cold night It is possible the symbol being used may have other meanings to a different culture.

and be sure and ask if specific colors should not be used.

I am also active in my church's quilt ministry for Lutheran World Relief. Check their website where you will find very clear statements NOT to include any religious, military, or "USA" fabrics. I pray you will abide by their rules rather than create a problem in a village somewhere because someone is using a quilt which is out of conformance with local standards.

Krisb,
I also like the idea of giving personalized gifts of quilts (or other things) to confirmands and those baptized. It requires quite a commitment though on the part of the quilters, because once you start, there can be quite a few.

My home church used to do a quilt for each confirmand, but found that in most cases, it really wasn't appreciated very much (who can guess what each kid would like in terms of pattern and color?). Now they do something better -- they make a quilt for a teenager in a residential psychiatric type facility and give it ON BEHALF of the confirmand. The confirmand writes out a card that is attached and gets to share in any follow-up correspondence. Since part of the confirmation program is about service, this affords an opportunity for them to participate in a service project while also celebrating their confirmation.

Baptism quilts would be easier -- smaller and quicker to do, at least for infant baptisms.

Dayle

I know that LWR is getting more fussy about the quilts that they get. I made 10 tops of different sizes last winter and was told they only wanted them to be 60x 80 in size. I also know in the litature they send out, that they don't want patrotic or holiday fabric used in them.

Lots of good advice here. Are there any other fabrics, besides those already mentioned, which should not be included? Now I'm thinking that leftover scraps of wine theme fabrics also should be left out.

If there is a chance that the quilts might go to a moslim country then any fabric denoting western culture should probably be avoided, i.e. sports themes, music themes, pictures of people, cartoons, Disney - It is my understanding that these are not welcome in their culture.

The message is in the making and sending of the quilt, and the message is love and caring. As a resident of this world I thank you for your participation in helping those who need.

I think you need to be careful. I know we live in a society that is tolerant of all religions, but such is not true world wide. In some parts of the world, Christians can be persecuted for their beliefs. You wouldn't want that to happen over a quilt you made out of the best of intentions on your part. I'd recommend checking with a higher authority at the charity first, but be prepared to do more generic quilts for overseas. After all, your whole point is to send quilts to people who need quilts, and that is God's work too. You can save the Christian themes for closer to home projects where you know they will be welcomed. Just keep thinking, in all you do, you are doing God's work, and I applaud you for it. May God bless you for your generosity of spirit.

The ones I quilted for didn't want anything that would cause anyone to be uneasy with their quilt. So depending where you send them it would matter. Lots of things in different areas could cause problems, so where you send them is what would give you the guidelines. Just think if someone sent a, just for instance, cross fabric to the mid east. That type of thing. So I know that most of the groups have guidelines for what they can and cannot send out.

Our church groups put their name and info on the label. One group also has a Bible passage.

The label says it all.

ali

Our LWML makes LWR quilts and the information that I got was do not put christian words or material on quilts because it can be bad if wrong people get it. Some countries do no like christians. So we don't do it. but yes if you make them for nursing homes or comfort quilts that would be great. I help another church that makes comfort quilts and they put four or 5 squares of bible verses in each quilt. a few of the ladies print verses on off white material . these quilts are about 45 x50
sometimes we put an embroidery angle ( redwork) on a block and put it in and make a cross with the verses. Makes a very neat quilt

I went to Lutheran World Relief website and they stated that they did not want quilts with religious symbols or patriotic quilts. I guess they just want to give comfort.

http://lwr.org/site/c.dmJXKiOYJgI6G/...structions.htm


I think this would be a wonder organization to give to. I will have to see if my congregation makes quilts for them.

Please keep in mind that the country where quilts are being sent may not be Christian friendly. People making the deliveries usually have a better chance to communicate God's love to the recipients.

I do think the idea of giving quilts is wonderful. It is a hug from someone, no strings attached.

Here is the section from the website:

Please do not donate items with any religious symbols, messages or your congregation’s name. LWR provides Quilts and Kits based on need, regardless of religious creed. Religious references may be misinterpreted by the governments of the receiving countries, jeopardizing the delivery to the people who need the items most.

Please do not donate any items decorated with a U.S. flag, patriotic or military symbols, or references to the armed forces, including camouflage. LWR and our overseas partners have access to areas of the world others do not because we are impartial humanitarian organizations. If our intentions are misinterpreted as being politically motivated, our work, our partners and the people we assist could be endangered.

I personally would use the fabric for those in my church that need a quilt. I can understand the rules of the Mission and because some countries faith is different from ours, a fabric should be used for a quilt that does not make light of their faith.

I have been making Lutheran World Relief quilts for more tham 40 yrs. There are a few specific requirements and good reasons for them. The size should be approx. 60 x80 inches. This is for ease in packing and shipping. No religious symbols because many countries will not allow it. These quilts are shipped and distributed world wide in time of disaster and great need. Nearly 400,000 quilts have been shipped to foreign lands this year. Quilts can be made out of any servicable fabric including doubleknits, corduroy, denim, drapery fabric and the like and are usually filled with old blankets and tied. The recipients will know that the quilts are gifts of love from Christians in the US. Please know that this org. has been successful in this mission for more than 50 yrs. As a quiltmaker, I find this to be very satisfying work even though it is much different than the way we uaually think about our quilts for local use. We have "quiltmakers" in our group that have never used a sewing machine, but get great pleasure in tying the quilts and others and that don't make quilts as we think of them, but can sew and are willing to put the quilts together. Try it, you might find it very satisfying. For those of you who have fabrics you would to get rid of, contact your local Lutheran church. They may have a quilting group that would be delighted to use all those odd fabrics

Not every person of faith is a Christian. IMHO the quilts are for the recipient and not the church.

IMHO you should skip the christian fabric. As a Christian, I make many quilts for abused children and hope they will be given where needed, regardless of their faith. My church makes many hats, scarves and mittens for kids in need and never uses a christian symbol anywhere because many of the kids that get them aren't Christian. To me it would be advertising and thats not what this is all about.

I love your fabrics and I would use them in another way to be charitable. If you have Christian based Retirement or Nusing home in your area, I'd use those fabrics there.
I would keep the LWR quilts more generic. You could ask others in your church about the fabrics they use. Some places get together, pool their fabrics, then make as many from one pattern as possible.

I have collected several different fabrics with the word "love" on them. I put at least one piece in every quilt I donate. I'm Christian, but love is not exclusive to Christianity, and it's the best message I can send out to whomever is the recipient.

I would think this would be totally acceptable.

When you donate material for the LWR quilts, please don't give them pieces of fabric that have very small pieces. The people receiveing these just have to throw them away. They need large pieces of fabric. When I was helping make these quilts, some people thought we could just use anything. Make sure the material is very useful. They do need to be made 60 X 80 in. Thank you to all the people that can do these quilts.

I understand that one has to obey rules, of course. I prefer to make quilts for an organization that gives the "credit" to the Lord for quilts given out, even if the recipient is not Christian....and I don't care if they are. It seems that the media are more than willing to dump on Christians, and everyone hears of the wrong some of us do. I think Christians need to give credit where credit is due (to the Lord, NOT the individual quilter) when they do something good. I realize that this could cause problems in other countries so I only donate to charities active in the USA. This is just my opinion. To me, an effort is wasted if the Lord is not glorified by it.

If the people in need take money or other needed items from the mission then why would they all of a sudden get picky about the print on a quilt? It is a Christian mission after all. The workers would probably love to have one so make it for them.

I think that to say if there is something on the quilt that says it is from a Christian church then the church is advertising is very wrong. Advertising is what Ford or Toyota does. Witnessing is what Christians do. There is a vast difference which Christians understand. Witnessing is what Jesus meant when he said "Go into all the world, telling..." It is called the Great Commission.This is a very important difference. No one dies in order to advertise. Today people still die in order to witness.

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO......So you might be a christian. these people need warmth, not religion. I think someone being given a quilt to keep them warm, knows it is a charitable thing. It doesn't have to be a Christian thing, just a giving thing. A lot of people who aren't christians are also very giving people. I'm one of them. I'm just happy and glad I can be an anonymous giver.
peace

I agree with Holice, ckcowl, and deemail.

If you are interested in only making quilts for people with Christian interests then okay, but once you start to claim credit, it is not charity. Charity is given freely with no conditions. Once you start putting symbols of any kind on it you are exacting a price to be paid for your work i.e., wear the symbol. Also, you want your gift to reach anyone who needs it and some people are not Christians and don't want to be but need the help.
PS the suggestion about assisted living and other places in your area is a great one and your work and the symbols would most likely be greatly appreciated.
Happy sewing.

I am with TanyaL from Bosque Co., TX. However, LWR may have guidelines to go by for charity quilts. Where did you find the black background with crosses? That fabric is stunning! Hobby Lobby has beautiful Christian fabrics.

Kathy from Galveston Co., TX