Youngchurch
‘Surrounded by love’ A
t the Lutheran-Methodist Parish of Forestburg and Woonsocket, S.D., confirmands picked up
needles and thread to create stoles with help from people who have a significant part in the fabric of their lives.
“The stole idea is one that is a
journey,” said Rhonda Wellsandt- Zell, pastor of the parish, which includes Forestburg Lutheran, For- estburg; Bethany Lutheran, Woon- socket; and Woonsocket United Methodist.
The journey began with students creating a time line that marked the significant faith milestones in their lives. They wrote a brief description of each milestone and included pho- tos if possible.
Next they sent letters to family and friends that explained: “[You are] receiving this letter because you have been an important part of my faith life and I would like for you to reflect on what we share as part of that rela- tionship in faith.” Recipients of the letters were
invited to send a strip of fabric (approximately 5-by-45-inch) that reflected their relationship with the confirmand; the student’s chares- acter, interests or hobbies; or signifi- cant times in the life of the individual or their family. Participants included a note explaining why they selected the fabric. These stories were placed in the students’ “Faith Time Line” books.
Send stories of your youth group (pre- school-confirmation age) to: Andrea Pohlmann Kulik , 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago IL 60631; andrea.pohlmann@
thelutheran.org.
The stole for
Wellsandt-Zell’s son, Andrew Zell, included fabric from his great-grand- mother, from a con- firmation dress his mother had made, from items his
40 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
Confirmands at the Lutheran-Methodist Parish of Forestburg and Woonsocket, S.D., celebrate their Affirmation of Baptism. The youth wear stoles made of fab- ric given to them by significant people who have shared in their faith journey. Pictured are Morgan Selland (left); Elliott Ohlrogge; Jacob Rosemore; Rhonda J. Wellsandt-Zell, pastor; Alexander Zell; and Brenden Rassel.
grandmother had sewn for him, and from clothing his deceased grandfathers had worn. A friend gave him fabric from his travels to Cameroon (the Evan- gelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon is a companion of the South Dakota Synod). Other fabric reflects his interest in the sciences, music, reading and the classics.
Once the fabric was gathered, students designed their stole with a sewing
partner. Some had grandmothers sew with them; others had a friend from the parish help. Then Jill Olson, a member of the parish, embroidered their names and dates of their baptism and confirmation on a square for their stoles. Left- over fabric was used for a memory quilt each family completed together at their own leisure. On confirmation day, parents or other family members placed the stole on the confirmand as these words were said: “Know that as you go forth to do the work of God, you are surrounded by the love and support of those who care deeply for you. May God bless you in the next steps of your journey.” The project was a faith walk for family and friends too. Sue Larson, Jacob Rosemore’s grandmother, shared: “What a delight to be the one chosen to sew my grandson’s stole .... As I pressed, cut and sewed the colorful fabrics and pictures into the stole, it was like a flashback of his 14 years, and the memories of all the fun times (as well as some tough ones!) came flooding to my mind. Prayers and blessings were stitched right in as I reflected on what a delight our first grandson has been (and will continue to be) in our lives in the future as we all walk this journey of faith.” M
For more information, contact Wellsandt-Zell at
wellzell@yahoo.com.
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