Sacred Journeys Quilt—an outward sign of an inward grace
Quilts are perfect for storytelling and for creative outpourings of love. Making one is how a few St. Michael’s parishioners, who participated in the 10-session cutting-edge curriculum, Sacred Journeys, led by Fr. Josh, found a way to express the deep impact the course had on each of them. The course, designed by the Episcopal Church, provides space and teaching to encourage people to examine their beliefs about immigration, emigration, and forced migration.
Joyce Miller talks about the last day the group met: “Our discussion focused on an action plan for living into our baptismal covenant.” “Staying connected as a group and making a commitment advocating for immigration reform,” were ideas shared. To that end, “several class members” decided to “express our commitment by writing and illustrating the ideas that touched our hearts and motivated us to action for immigration reform on behalf of immigrant children and their families.” They made squares, and “Rhoda Silverberg and Kay Allen put it all together for us, symbolic of our connectedness.”
When asked why they felt drawn to get involved in this “outward sign of an inward grace,” to use Fr. John’s description upon seeing the finished project, here’s what some members had to say:
“I gained a lot being a member of the sacred journeys group. The quote I wrote on my quilt square resonated with me.” Bunny Cowan
“The Sacred Journeys course was an incredibly moving experience which I felt I wanted to share with others. The quilt gave me the opportunity to think about what stood out for me about the course. Looking at my squares and those of others in the class brought back so many of those incredible moments.” Rhoda Silverberg
“I won't soon forget the powerful experience of the Sacred Journeys class. The quilt is tangible evidence of our group's uncomfortable learnings and desire to do something in response.” Nancy Springer-Baldwin
“The Sacred Journeys class was many things for me: meaningful, eye-opening, heart wrenching, and inspiring to name a few. The lives and stories of our immigrant brothers and sisters-their struggles, pain, determination and perseverance, were so compelling. I was also very drawn to our opening prayer, which illuminates Christ’s response to the immigrants’ sacred journey. During our discussions, we felt led to respond and demonstrate our support and love for our immigrant siblings. The quilt is our response.” Carol Rosser
“This was bittersweet. During our meetings, one of our tasks was to search online for a specific immigrant who had died. Each dot, and there were thousands, on a migrant death map we could access represented a place ‘donde mueren los buenos’—where dreams die, with the dreamer. I found Susana’s dot. Each dot became a prayer as I worked on the quilt.” Gail Reid.
The Holy Spirit touched this group in ways they didn’t expect, an unlooked-for experience serving as the hands and feet of Christ in the world.
—Christine Havens