Quilt-A-Palooza Knoxville August 7

Even if you’ve never threaded a needle, you can help others (and have fun) at an upcoming special sewing event.

Every Monday for the past twenty years, members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Knoxville, Iowa, have stitched quilts for people in crisis. “Working together, we have been able to send 3,773 quilts to Lutheran World Relief reports church member and organizer Rita Schacherer.

The group is celebrating their two decades of service from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 7 by making more.

I grabbed these heartening photos from the church's website.

All ages are welcome on August 7, no sewing skills are needed, and all materials are provided. Anyone who’d like to help is invited to drop in for a bit or stay the whole time. The church’s address is 1506 S. Attica Road, Knoxville.

“We are moved by the words of scripture to understand that refugees are our neighbors, and we are to love our neighbors just as we love ourselves,” Rita says. Lutheran World Relief distributes the quilts as needed in countries around the world as well as in the U.S..

Quilts may serve as bedding, a tent floor, a roof over someone’s head, or even as a satchel to carry a person’s belongings.

Because Quilt-A-Palooza is the work of quilters who are also church folk, lunch and refreshments are part of the event. Expect brownies, bars, cookies, and coffee.

“It is truly a privilege to serve others,” Rita says, “and to be cared for by a loving God who makes sure we have what we need. Our cloth, thread, and sewing tools come as donations from all corners of Marion County and beyond. Most workers belong to our congregation, but members of other congregations also grace us by joining and working with us. We experience the blessings of community through conversation and time together.”

Good Shepherd members smiling during an event earlier this year.

Can the group set a record for the most quilts made in a day by a church? Maybe, if enough helpers show up!

Register by contacting Good Shepherd by phone at 641-828-8088. Questions? Email Rita: ritagslc@aol.com.

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