Sew On and Sew Forth

Sew On and Sew Forth

The itch to stitch. At Trinity Metropolitan Community Church in Gainesville, quilting is a form of giving that also gives back.

BY REV. CATHERINE DEARLOVE

Sometimes we give to others altruistically without a thought of what we will receive back. However, Trinity MCC, Gainesville, has realized that even when you give sel essly there is still something in it for you. For 10 years they have run a Quilting Bee and have recognized that in making quilts for those who nd themselves living on the streets, they also are blessed.

A Quilting afternoon sounds like a wonderful u y way for women (particularly grandmothers) to spend an afternoon, however that gender stereotyping means that many lose out on this craft. Gay, trans, straight, people of all genders come together at this Gainesville church to make beautiful hand stitched quilts that o er warmth and comfort to some of those who nd themselves unhoused during the cold weather in North Central Florida. An afternoon with other individuals lled with sharing, labor, laughter and food creates pieces of practical art that are also lifesaving gifts for some.

During COVID the individual parts of the quilts had to be put together individually, rather than around a table of cackling laughter, but those who did this still felt part of the project – even when they were not physically together.

Making the quilts is just one part of this project. Once the quilts are made, donations are received, and a team of people busy themselves to put together packs. These often include socks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, a postcard, and stamps amongst other things (so they can write to their loved ones).

Having done this, then comes the delivery. During the pre-covid times it was easy to nd where people were situated but COVID has made this a lot more di cult. But with perseverance the team found people to give these packs to. Finding yourself in an altered situation of housing can often mean you are living on the streets, which can feel humiliating and stigmatized and often leave people with a lowered level of trust. However, when they realize that these visitors are not here to torment them but to give them something without cost, they often open up more about their situations.

Drug issues, mental health, the loss of a job, and divorce are just some of the reasons people nd themselves without permanent housing. These situations are hard to bounce back from and when someone takes time to be present with you and give you homemade gifts, it can lift one’s spirits, make you feel less invisible, and perhaps even worthy. But what it also does is allow those delivering the gifts to connect with people in new and often quite profound ways. So often people chuck a dollar out of the car window or a bar of something to eat and while this is something, stopping and spending time with people, listening to their stories and giving them home made crafts brings a more sincere interaction.

I went to deliver these packs one year and was moved to hear the stories of some of the recipients. But what was more surprising was the joy they felt that people care enough about them to share with them. How many of us spend time with those who nd themselves in this situation? We forget that time spent with someone is usually a blessing for both sides.

So, is giving to others really that sel ess? On the surface it might seem so, but in fact it also blesses those who give, not only with a sense of purpose, especially in these di cult times, but can also create new friendships, a time of sharing and even in this time of COVID, a sense of worth. When we work towards giving sel essly, we can nd lasting signi cance in this world, often ful lling a need that we never knew we had.

So, the next time you give, maybe you will be able to recognize the blessings you receive too.

REV. CATHERINE

DEARLOVE is Senior Pastor at Trinity MCC in Gainesville, Florida. Although a Christian minister, she has a strong appreciation for all journeys of faith or philosophy and wrote her Masters dissertation on Inter-religious Dialogue. She is currently the Chair of the Campus Multifaith Cooperative at UF and coordinates the Alachua County Faith Leaders Alliance. Rev Catherine has lived in the UK, Australia and now USA and has spent most of her life as a social justice warrior and advocate for the integration of sexuality and spirituality.