An Extravagant Welcome



A few years ago, my blog friend Lynn shared pictures of a quilt that she was making for her church. It took her a couple of years, and she generously documented her progress so that others could make similar quilts. Lynn named her quilt "An Extravagant Welcome." I thought it was a beautiful quilt (it's pictured above) and nothing would do but that I would have to have one. I organized a block swap and the participants wrote little tiny biographies about the people that they had made; there were people of many races, occupations, sexualities, you name it. There was even a green-complected witch dressed in a Hallowe'en print outfit. My finished quilt, pictured below, was given to my younger granddaughter for her bed.



A couple of weeks ago at our congregation's annual meeting, someone raised the question of flying a rainbow flag outside of the church to indicate our welcome to  LGBTQ people. A respectful discussion ensued. Someone raised the point that by extending a specific welcome to a particular constituency, we might be leaving out others, that we might be saying something like, "If you haven't yet figured out exactly where you stand on every issue surrounding sexuality, this isn't the place for you." We have LGBTQ members at our church but they aren't treated like something special; they are just like everyone else.

Somehow in my brain, this question connected to our pastor's recent sermon. He grew up in East Berlin and well remembers the Wall. He told us he had been taught that the Wall was to protect the citizens, to keep Evil Others out. But he knew that it was also to keep East Berliners in. I continue to think about the possible connection with the rainbow flag issue, and about another Wall much in the news today.

When we were in London this past autumn, I stopped by St. Paul's Covent Garden and saw their welcome sign. Instantly I knew that this Anglican church was definitely where this Lutheran would worship in the event she ever moved to London. This sign is truly An Extravagant Welcome.

Comments

Millie said…
WOW! Isn’t that fabulous! I’m sure I fit into a couple of those categories. How absolutely splendid. Thanks for making my day.
Quiltdivajulie said…
Your mind works in the most marvelous ways ... absolutely love this thought process.
Nann said…
Amen, sister! And both quilts are wonderful.
I love the little people quilts and the idea of biographies of each one. The welcome message you show is soul soothing. Wouldn't it be wonderful if every person on earth was so welcoming of those with different beliefs. As a Liberal I like to think I am, but in truth it makes me a bit angry that my neighbor flies a confederate flag.
xx, Carol
Robby said…
Thank you for this, both the quilts and the message. I wish our church were a little closer to that message than we are, but humans are a work in progress. I certainly am. Would you be willing to share that picture by sending it to me? I'd like to keep it handy where I can remind myself of what I'd like to be more of. Some days seem to require that more these days. Thanks again.
(bolderbaker.at.gmail.dot.com)
Janet said…
And an" extravagant thank you" for all your thoughtful,encouraging and helpful posts...most especially those in the last few days.👍😊
Barbara Anne said…
And all God's people said, "AMEN!" These two quilts say it eloquently fabric.

I love the sign from St. Paul's Covent Garden church.

Hugs!
Janet O. said…
I remember when you were working on this quilt. It is marvelous!
And I recall loving that welcome when you originally posted it. What a wonderful way to include all.
Lynn Dykstra said…
I love how yours turned out. And I appreciate the conversation going on in your congregation. Sometimes I feel like Jeremiah with my anger. And sometimes like Cassandra in that no one listens.
Quayquilter said…
I was in that swap and loved my assemblage of little people. When my son saw the quilt he said "That's London". It's a truly global city. re The Wall, I heard a discussion on our UK radio about it. Someone put forward the notion that it would at least provide employment to which the other person a construction engineer said the money would be better spent on high speed transcontinental railways which would also provide employment plus boost the economy. Last night we were watching a slow TV programme which is a silent film of the whole length of the Great Wall of China. Very soothing! Last year it was a bus journey through the Yorkshire Dales.
Annie said…
The sign is wonderful! Thanks for posting it.