“Neighbors Who Knit” was organized by Chaplain Laura Glover and a small group of Epworth Villa residents in the spring of 2021 as an offshoot of the Religions Life Committee. As there were members of the group who preferred to crochet or do machine quilting, the name of the group was changed to “Neighbors Who Stitch”.
Every Tuesday evening, the group gathers in one of the Epworth Villa Living Rooms from 6:30-8:00 for a time of fellowship and prayer, specifically for special needs throughout the Epworth Community. The group is continuously growing in number. Those who join, don’t always participate in stitching, but come for the fellowship and meet new friends.
The initial plan of the group was to create items signifying prayer, such as Prayer Shawls, Pocket Prayer Shawls, Prayer Scarves, and Prayer Squares, as well as other items that can be distributed as tokens of prayer and concern. The stitchers recently added lap pads, fidget pads, hats and scarves. The hats and scarves were specifically for Long Term Care residents to wear when seeing Christmas lights and decorations.
Additionally, group members often bring in the projects they continue to make for their church, Infant Crisis Services, Children’s Hospital, and the Hope Pregnancy Center. As a special project, a prayer square was presented to each of the teachers and staff at Epworth villa’s new neighbor, Scissortail Elementary School. Rice Bag Neck Warmers (or coolers) were also assembled by the group. Stitchers gathered in the Epworth Villa quilting room to make these for every Epworth Villa employee.
A compilation of projects for 2022 is as follows:
PRAYER SHAWLS (25) PRAYER SCARVES (51) POCKET SHAWLS (49) POCKET PRAYER SQUARES (153) HAT/SCART SETS (20) BED SOCKS (5) BABY HATS (25) LAP PADS (43) FIDGET PADS (21) PET PADS (14) POSITIVE BAGS, PILLOWCASES AND BABY BLANKETS taken to Hope Pregnancy Center and Children’s Hospital EMPLOYEE RICE BAGS (312).
Neighbors who Stitch accept donations of yarn. Questions about attendance at the group’s gatherings can be directed to Chaplain Laura Glover at 405-752-1200.
