As this is written, Asheville just had its first Code Purple event of the season, meaning that due to cold temperatures, emergency overflow shelters are open for our unhoused neighbors.
Our congregation has what I like to think of as a “ministry of warmth”—Fiber Friends! We gather monthly to craft in community, and part of our mission is creating warm products for cold weather: hats, scarves, wrist warmers, mittens, etc.
We create for all ages and gender identities, with a variety of sizes and colors. Our “adult” sizes are distributed through the BeLoved pantry box beginning with a donation (sometimes wrapped) in December, and a second batch of items given later in the winter. Children and youth sizes are given to Children First for distribution through their programs. At our November meeting, we set aside 38 items for BeLoved and 42 for Children First.
The warmth we share is not only physical. We provide emotional warmth through donations of handmade dishcloths/washcloths to seniors through the Santa for Seniors program of Meals on Wheels. Sixty-seven cloths were sent to MoW in November.
We also create warmth within our community as we talk while crafting. We share stories and events from our lives—family, work, health, whatever is on our minds or in our hearts. Join us with your personal project(s) or work on one of ours; any craft that can be comfortably done in your lap is welcome. We meet the first Saturday of each month—the weekly Enews will have details. Contact Mara (mara_sprain@yahoo.com) to get on the reminder email list.
Mara Sprain, UU Avl Board President