Our quilting group was formed about 2000 as a result of the congregational community building efforts of an enthusiastic student minister, Susan Shantz. Half a dozen women came together to learn or to hone their quilting skills under Susan’s experienced tutelage. When Susan left the congregation to become an ordained minister, our group continued to flourish. We took on several projects for the congregation, a few of which are pictured here.
Many of us find the act of quilting itself to be a spiritual one, and an outlet for expressing our theology in textile art. In many respects the group acts as a source of pastoral care for its members as well as a creative outlet for some of the talented and creative women in our congregation.
Please take a moment to look and admire the artistry of the quilts created here at Bloor Street United.
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The New Green AntependiumThis second green antependium was dedicated on Craddock lecture Sunday,26 September, 2010 Since “ordinary” time, designated by the colour green, is the longest segment of the church year, the quilters decided to make a second green antependium In keeping with the nature theme of trees, we chose lighter,brighter shades of green and made individual three dimensional leaves on a branch in contrast with the darker forest depicted on the first one. You could think of the forest antependium as the whole church together and the leaves aseach of us on our individual faith journeys with God’s loving care surrounding all. |
Pentecost antependiumOur Pentecost antependium was completed in the spring of 2003. We all contributed red, orange and purple fabrics which we cut into large and small diamond shapes for the design. The festival of Pentecost arrives 50 days after Easter. In the Christian Church, it is the day we remember when the Holy Spirit came with wind and flames to Jesus’ disciples gathered in Jerusalem. The colours of our antependium represent these flames as does the stitching of the quilting itself. The Holy Spirit is symbolized by the descending dove. Our dove was created from textured white and off-white fabrics with a touch of blue for shadows. The differing talents of our group contributed to the unique, multifaceted and handsome design which now enhances our worship experience. |
Pentecost antependium |