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December 23, 2009

Quilting for a just cause

Wesley and Velma UMC give back to community

David Laughlin

VELMA — Quilting and excitement may not always go hand in hand, but for the quilters at Wesley and Velma United Methodist Churches, it’s not about excitement, it’s about giving back to the community and fellowship. The quilters recently raised $1,250 for the Velma Volunteer Fire Department.

Wesley and Velma UMC operate under the pastoral leadership of Linda Lusnia. They have had a quilting group since December of 1990.

The quilters meet every Tuesday at Velma UMC for a day full of quilting and fellowship. Participants meet at 8 a.m. and steadfastly quilt until 3 p.m.

“One of the neatest things is it’s not just Methodist, it’s a nondenominational group that gets together,” Pastor Linda Lusnia said.

The quilting group is far more than just a quilting group, it serves as a support group as well.

“It is the women coming together, not only to quilt together, but to support one another,” pastor Lusnia said. “Whether other members are dealing with a funeral, wedding, or birth, they are all there for one another.”

“It’s people from all different kinds of backgrounds. We learn a lot from our differences and similarities,” Pastor Lusnia said.

Pastor Lusnia leads a Bible study at 10 a.m. during the quilting session. Pastor Lusnia is new to quilting.

“I didn’t know how to quilt, and it has been very interesting to learn,” Pastor Lusnia said. “It has its own language. I still can’t say all the things like they can.”

Tommie Romine-Roskam is part of the quilters and a member of Velma UMC. “There are only two members that are from the Methodist church, the rest are from other denominations. We just have great fellowship,” Roskam said.

Over the years the quilters have put on two quilt shows. The last show was in 2004, which displayed 80 to 90 quilts made by the group.

Earlier this year the quilters raised $500 for a new air conditioning and heater unit for Velma UMC.

They recently put together a quilt and sold chances to win it. The money raised went to the Velma Volunteer Fire Department. The quilt raised $1,250 for the VVFD. “They are volunteer firemen and they need a lot of equipment, this is our way of helping them because they help so many people,” Roskam said.

Pastor Lusnia said “It makes you feel good when you can contribute your time to your community, to give back to the volunteer.”



— David Laughlin is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 144, or via e-mail at david.laughlin@duncanbanner.com.

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