Love Joy Piece

"Water" Traveling Quilts

2012-01-23T19:30:00.001-06:00

2 "Water" Quilts will be available for MCC Relief Sales to use for "Blessing Bidding". Pictures will be posted shortly.

Traveling Quilts are still available for the following topics:
1) Baskets - hunger
2) Peace - an additional quilt will be available shortly made from blocks sent to Love, Joy, Piece from people around the world.

Focus for 2012: Water

2012-01-22T19:29:00.001-06:00

As we Celebrate and raise funds for what MCC does globally with "water",

let us ponder the following reading:

Now go from this place as people bathed in the muddy water of God's

transforming grace.

And as you go

may God give you the grace never to sell yourself short;

grace to risk something big for something good;

grace to remember that the world is too dangerous

for anything but truth and too small for anything but love.

So, may God take your minds and think through them;

may God take your lips and speak through them;

may God take your hands and work through them;

may God take your hearts and set them on fire.

Amen

-William Sloane Coffin, adapted by Stephen Shoemaker & Kevin Brown

Here in This Place (Juried exhibition)

2011-01-05T22:13:00.000-06:00

Opening, Friday, January 21, 7:30pm
January 21, 2011 to March 5, 2011

MHC Gallery
600 Shaftesbury Blvd
Winnipeg, MB
(just south of the corner of Grant Avenue and Shaftesbury)

Monday-Friday 8:30 to 4:30

Saturday: Noon to 5:00

Thoughts of Peace

2010-12-19T21:26:00.002-06:00

Thoughts on Peace
Monday, December 20

A smile is the beginning of peace.

Mother Teresa

Tuesday, December 21

Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves.

William Hazlett

Wednesday, December 22

Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel.

Justice in the World, 6

Thursday, December 23

True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Friday, December 24

Corn can’t expect justice from a court composed of chickens.

African Proverb

Saturday, December 25

Birth of Christ

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

Mother Teresa

Sunday, December 26

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

MCC Relief Sales across the US and Canada are planning for 2011!

2010-12-16T21:28:00.002-06:00

The Peace Quilt measuring 37 long by 40 inches wide is available in the United States. The Peace Symbol and Machine appliqued Dove Blocks were received from Pennsylvania and the hand appliqued bird block is from Panama. The quilt is machine quilted by Jane Paulsen from Minnesota.

The story about the center colorful block from Panama came from Susan, who donated the block:
"Believe it or not, this mola was made by the sahila, or chief, of Acuadup, our favorite, little-visited village in Kuna Yala. We had been ashore visiting the school and seeing the children, when a young girl came up to us and offered this mola for sale. She said that the sahila had made it. We didn't think that was possible, so we expressed some skepticism, and were assured that no, he really had made it. We were intrigued. As we walked around the island, many of the people in the village came out to ask if we would take their photos, as they had heard that we would do this and print a copy for them. Suddenly, there was Sahila Roberto, also wanting his photo taken, along with two of his grandsons. We were delighted to take his picture, and the others, as normally the Kuna are shy of cameras. This was a classic "win-win," where we could take all the photos we wanted, and they could get photos of themselves. We asked the sahila about the mola, and he said yes, he dabbled in mola making, and that it was indeed one of his. (We don't really know the word for "dabbling," but we thought this was the gist of it....after all, the sahila has a lot of responsibilities and probably doesn't spend that much time making molas.)

(Photos are available from LJP) and are of the village, along with one of Sahila Roberto. The chiefs typically wear fedoras and bright shirts like the lime green one he is wearing, along with long pants and no shoes. When one meets them, they are usually sitting or lying in a hammock in the congreso, or big meeting house. Usually the chiefs only speak in Kuna, and have an interpreter there to translate from Spanish to Kuna. However, Roberto spoke Spanish directly with us. Hope this is the kind of information that will be useful to Marlys. The quilt looks very cool.

Love,
Susan

Color Challenge comments by visitor to Northern Michigan MCC Sale

2010-09-08T22:34:00.001-05:00

I attended the Northern Michigan MCC Sale in Fairview, MI on August 6. One of the things they do is called a "Color Challenge." In their Quilters Corner they sell a set of 5 fat squares, of chosen coordinated colors, which are packaged in a large mug with a packet of hot chocolate mix and wrapped in plastic. I'm attaching a pdf file of the instructions that are handed out with the challenge. People are then encouraged to make a small wall-hanging to be donated to the sale the following year. All the entries are on display in a special corner of the quilt exhibit room and sale goers can vote for the "viewer's choice." All of these quilts were auctioned in the live auction (although it might have made more sense to have them in a silent auction, although the Fairview sale didn't have a silent auction area).

I thought it was a neat idea and thought I'd pass it along. I'll also attach a couple photos of several of the entries in their color challenge. The last one (1766) was a representation of The Eric Carle book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Very cute!

Joetta Schlabach

Contact Love, Joy Piece, for Guidelines for Project.

Dove of Peace

2010-08-22T18:23:00.001-05:00

The dove is appliqued by Karen Hauff from Shoreview, Minnesota. Karen also provides a number of quilts including appliqued wall hangings and table runners to support the Twin Cities MCC Relief Sale in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

Peace Quilt Block from Walnut Creek Mennonite Women

2010-08-22T18:13:00.001-05:00

Eunice Mast of the Walnut Creek Mennonite Women made the block and was sent in by Lovina Brandt. Secretary Treasurer. They also support the Relief Sale in Kidron, Ohio, which is the first weekend of August.

Stained Glass appliqued Peace Dove

2010-08-22T17:41:00.001-05:00

The stained glass peace dove on point. Thank you to Ava Neiff from Fairfax, Virginia.

New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada: Quilt-As-You-Go Stash Busters Quilt Pattern

2010-06-07T19:01:00.001-05:00

New Hamburg Relief Sale Quilt Patterns
2010 Relief Sale Quilt Pattern

Quilt-As-You-Go Stash-Busters

http://www.nhmrs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=56

Due to popular demand for a new pattern, Emily Hunsberger went to her drawing board and came up with a versatile design that is quilted and assembled block by block. Traditional quilts are made by layering a whole quilt top with full-sized batting and backing. With the “quilt-as-you-go” method, small units are individually quilted, then joined together. Once joined, the only remaining step is to attach the binding. It is a very liberating experience. If your space is limited, and you thought that you could never make a quilt, think again! This is an extremely versatile technique with countless applications. Every quilt is guaranteed to be one-of-a-kind!

Pattern price is $12.00, with proceeds going to Mennonite Central Committee.

Quilt patterns are available at:
MCC Ontario office (50 Kent Avenue, Kitchener)
Quilters Nine Patch, Elmira
Creative Sisters (Lancaster St., Kitchener)
Len's Mill Stores in Hawkesville and Kitchener
New Hamburg Thrift Centre, New Hamburg
Reichards, St. Jacobs

Patterns can also be mailed to buyers for a cost of $14 ($12 for the pattern plus $2 for postage). Contact Emily Hunsberger at ejhunsberger@sympatico.ca for further information.

2006 Relief Sale Quilt Pattern
Go to the website to view the Relief Sale Quilt Pattern

Peace block from Myra in Colorado

2010-05-28T21:30:00.002-05:00

Myra sent a Peaceful landscape quilt block with a church with falling snow. Size is 20 inches by 8 inches.

Appliqued Dove - Stain Glass format

2010-05-23T20:00:00.001-05:00

Thank you to Rita from Nebraska for the dove in Stain Glass.

Appliqued Dove on Pink Fabric

2010-05-22T19:57:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Jean from the Salem Church in Munich, North Dakota.

Peace "Dove" Machine Embroidered Block #1 and #2

2010-05-21T17:57:00.001-05:00

Thanks to two sister-in-laws from North Dakota, the 2 dove blocks were created.

Blessed Home - Available to Travel to Relief Sales

2010-03-21T21:39:00.002-05:00

With Relief Sales looking for substitutes for the Basket Traveling Quilt, we offer the "Blessed Home" quilt with the following information:

Size: Queen size
Made by Myra Harder of Winkler, Manitoba.
The quilt can also be a Block of the Month Project and the book is available at quilt shops or from Myra's website, www.bluemeadowdesigns.com. The quilt is also featured on the front of the book.

With the Minnkota and Rocky Mountain Mennonite MCC Relief Sales looking for a Traveling Quilt, they will be using this quilt as an alternative to the Traveling Basket as it can't be available for their two dates.

This quilt can be used to take bids but is not for sale at the auction at this time. Please contact us for additional information and/or see www.MCC.org.

Thank you.

The Quilt was sold at the Twin Cities MCC Relief Sale in 2010.

Stars and Chains - 2 Colored Quilt in Blue and Yellow

2010-03-15T22:21:00.000-05:00

Friends and Families living around North America are supporting each other's MCC Relief Sales. The West Coast MCC Relief Sale donated a quilt to the Twin Cities MCC Relief Sale. The Stars and Chains quilt was a gift in return from the Twin Cities MCC Relief Sale to the West Coast Relief Sale in Fresno, California. The smaller MCC Relief Sales are enjoying the benefits of these relationships. Thank you!

"I'm Hungry, Where can I sleep tonight? I want my Mother!"

2010-03-05T00:09:00.001-06:00

Information about Quilt:

Approximate Size: 50 x 70
Print Squares are of an African or Polyesnian printed fabric surrounded by hand died fabrics in a simplistic design. The quilt is machine quilted and stitching is accents the printed fabric. The machine quilter, Anita Shakelford, a template quilt designer's donated her services to Mennonite Central Committee, when she heard of the work MCC does globally. The quilt was made by Marlys Wiens. Anita and Marlys met at the Minnesota Quilt Show in Duluth, MN in 2009, where Anita was the Quilt Judge. The added benefit of this quilt has been quilt donations outside the Mennonite and Amish communities. The quilt's meaning grew when Marlys visited the Mennonite World Conference in Paraguay, South America, in 2009 when on the streets of Ascension she met Carol Ann Weaver and daughter from Kitchner, Ontario and discussed the issue of Aids. A fellow professor of Carol's "advised" her that she "needed" to write a song bringing awareness to the Aids crisis in the world as a person dies from aids every four seconds. Four seconds would be a good beat to a song. As the group talked, Marlys shared that he had a childhood friend in Kitchner, Ontario who she knew from rural Minnesota. As Carol and Marlys talked further, they realized they were talking about the same person, Lowell Ewert, the Peace Professor at Conrad Grabel. Carol's CD is available from her called "Every 3 Children" with the song inspired by Lowell.

The picture was taken in the wind with the State of Minnesota Capitol in the background.

The Quilt was sold at the Twin Cities MCC Relief Sale in 2010.

Story of Food Basket Traveling Quilt

2010-02-12T18:55:00.001-06:00

Mennonite Relief Sale
Food Basket Traveling Quilt

This traveling quilt is being used as a symbol of God’s love and caring for the hungry people of the world. It will be displayed at relief sales throughout the United States.

You can assist in alleviating hunger during the auction when donations will be accepted via your bidders card or make a donation at the cashier booth.

The quilt, made by Marlys Wiens, is made from waxed dyed Java print in brilliant colors and patterns unique to the Congo.

YOU CAN HELP
Pray for the people who are hungry and for the MCC workers who, with your help, are providing food and comfort to those most in need.

Live simply so that your lifestyle in this interconnected world is not a burden on the poor and provides an inspiration for others to do the same.

Speak out on behalf of the poor and hungry so that they are not forgotten by world governments and those in a position to help.

I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.
Matthew 25:35

The Basket Traveling Quilt - Texas Mennonite Sale and Auction for World Relief: November 14, 2009, Houston, TX

2010-01-13T21:58:00.001-06:00

We displayed the quilt as a backdrop to our Penny Power collection. Penny Power this year was dedicated to food projects. Information about the quilts was shared with people throughout the day. The quilts provided a focus to that area of the sale and more attention then usual. Penny Power was almost $400 above last year.

The Food Basket Traveling Quilt - October 16 and 17, 2009: Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale, Rocky Ford, CO

2010-01-12T21:53:00.001-06:00

The quilt was displayed with the quilts Friday evening and also on Saturday.

During the quilt Auction, Elizabeth Raid and Marlys Wiens gave a brief presentation on why the quilt was made and what the proceeds will go for. Elizabeth represented the Central States MCC Office and of course, Marlys made the quilt. We were thrilled to have her at our sale this year.

The auctioneer then accepted donations for $25, $50, etc. A total of $6,025 was raised.

The Food Basket Traveling Quilt - October 10, 2009 at the MCC Fall Festival in Albany, Or

2010-01-11T21:45:00.001-06:00

We had 3 lots of Quilts/comforters to sell by auction. The Traveling Food Basket Quilt was the first number in each of the 3 lots. A short verbal explanation was given each time with the Traveling Quilt displayed next to the auction block platform all day. (We attached it with pins to quilting bars and stood the quilt rights) with sturdy props behind to support it.

1st offered at $1,000 "Blessing Bid", then $500, $250, $100, $50, $25, numerous levels for people to hold up their bidding numbers.

"ALL YOU TAKE HOME IS A BLESSINGS"!

1st lot raised $2,650
2nd lot raised $1,300
3rd lot raised $2,025
Total raised: $5,975!

Submitted by Deanna E.

The Food Basket Traveling Quilt - July 31 and August 1, 2009 at Northern Michigan Relief Sale, Fairview, Michigan

2010-01-08T21:41:00.001-06:00

The quilt was displayed at the MCC Information booth, and also displayed during the morning Quilt Auction, as if it were being sold. Instead bidders raised their numbers when the amount announced matched their desired donations.

$1,700 was raised by these "Bids" and several people commented on the beauty of the quilt. It tells a good story.

Submitted by: Carl D.

The Food Basket Traveling Quilt - July 24 and 25, 2009 at Sioux Falls, SD

2010-01-07T21:39:00.001-06:00

The beautiful Food basket quilt was displayed at the Sale. It was auctioned and raised about $1,500.

The Lord be with you as you raise more money for MCC with this beautiful quilt.

The Food Basket Traveling Quilt - July 17 and 18, 2009 at Tri State Relief Sale, McHenry, MD

2010-01-06T21:36:00.001-06:00

The Tri State Relief Sale displayed the quilt in the quilt preview room.

Our project with the quilt was Food for all. Ken S from MCC talked about the need for food around the world.

The project raised over $2,500.

Blessings as you display the quilt around the world.

Submitted by: Harriet B.

The Food Basket Traveling Quilt - June 22 to 26, 2009 in Fairview, Michigan

2010-01-05T21:28:00.001-06:00

Our missions focus for VBS at the Fairview Mennonite Church was Sharing God's Love through Relieving World Hunger. The Food Basket Quilt was used as a visual focus.

Each family collected coins in a Penny Power light bulb bank. These will be channeled through the Northern Michigan Relief Sale on July 31 and August 1.

Each child also took home a small wicker basket which they used to carry back to VBS a few items of non-perishable food for our local food bank.

During VBS the children also participated in a simulated refugee camp and learned how they can make a difference in our world. One little guy asked me to help him calculate how many families he could feed @ $.50 a day with his $2 and $5 bills.

Another little girl said, "I feel so guilty", speaking of all the food she has to eat. Our response is - we just need to be thankful and be willing to share.

The Sundays prior to and following VBS we displayed the Food Basket Quilt in the sanctuary as we shared in a "noisy offering" which the children collected in ten buckets and watched Penny Power Videos.

Thank you for loaning the Food Basket Traveling Quilt.

Submitted by: Sally L, Fairview, Michigan

The Food Basket Traveling Quilt Schedule

2010-01-04T21:26:00.001-06:00

The Food Basket Traveling Quilt has been to:

May 2009 Southern California Festival and Sale

Quilt Books for a Christmas Gift

2009-12-21T22:40:00.000-06:00

My Christmas List of Blessings

2009-12-14T19:57:00.001-06:00

Thank you, Mary Ella, for sharing:

My Christmas list is more
than a way to keep track of
The special people God as brought
into my life to love.

It's like a treasured scrapbook
filled with pleasant memories
Of all the times God's answered prayers
through friends and family.

Every name's a touchstone
that leads to a place and time
Where God has used another's heart
to reach out and touch mine.

It may have happened years ago
or even yesterday,
But every person on my list
has changed my life some way.

Through simple conversation,
a warm hug or a shared meal,
Every person on my list
has helped me grow or heal.

Or laugh or love or learn or smile...
the blessings never end
As God allows our paths to cross
as family and friends.

So please know that this greeting
is more than a Christmas wish.
It's a "Thank you" card to God
for putting on my list,
each and every one whose name
I've come to hold so dear...
Those who've shown me Christmas joy all year.

Theme for 2010: Peace

2009-11-28T21:15:00.001-06:00

For 2010, MCC has asked Love Joy Piece to focus on the themes of: 1) Peace; 2) AIDS; 3) Global Family and 4) Food/Agriculture and Water.
LJP has chosen to focus on one of those themes for 2010 with the focus on “Peace”. The symbol is “the dove” and we ask you to submit a quilt block with a dove. With your creativity and the symbol being smaller or bigger, no specific size requirements are being given. You decide what size your block should be and the design of the Traveling Quilts will be designed and created. Once blocks are received, a traveling quilt will be available in the United States and Canada this year. Please send your blocks to Bev or Marlys. Last year, a deadline for the US traveling quilt was met but couldn’t include your blocks. Your involvement in a traveling quilt is so important to bringing awareness and excitement to a Traveling Quilt.
The theme of “Peace” has many meanings and begins in our homes. Our goal is to bring awareness and reduce violence and sexual abuse in our communities, in our countries, and around the world. Being in Bolivia this summer, the Mennonite Colonies families suffered from the acts of violence and the communities suffered as the news traveled the globe. “Peace”, as we also remember so many people living in war torn countries.
We look forward to your creations and involvement in making a Traveling quilt happen. In the US, Texas has the first sale of the year in February and Canada’s first sale is in April. We look forward to your blocks to have a Traveling Quilt for the Relief Sales!

“Peace” Block Instructions:
Blocks will be used to make a US and Canadian Traveling Quilts for MCC Relief Sales use.
When: Immediately – make it a special Christmas project with your family and/or church group.
Size: To fit your project
We encourage hand or machine work, appliqué or pieced, or colored (from the children)
We ask for your quality blocks, whether complex or simple.
Time Period: Collecting throughout 2010

Kick Off for Minnesota's: "Bread for All" Theme

2009-11-14T08:55:00.001-06:00

“Bread for All” Intergenerational Sunday School Experience

A Planning Committee composed of members from Emmanuel and Faith Mennonite Churches in the Twin Cities have been planning an Intergeneration, Sunday School hour to highlight the “Bread for All” auction segment at the November TCMCC.

The cooperative planning and implementation are designed to provide the intergeneration Sunday school experience for both congregations. The purpose of the Sunday school hour is to learn about the struggle for food and injustices and to focus on how to best use our wealth of finances, resources and knowledge to alleviate suffering throughout the world. The bread and basket theme for the TCMCC sale is based on John 6 and the feeding of the 5,000. This theme will be woven through the auction activities but will be especially prevalent during the 1:00-1:30 “Bread for All” segment. The money raised during that time will go to the Kenya food project.

On the scheduled Sunday, the morning worship will incorporate the “Bread for All” theme. After the worship hour, all ages will gather in the fellowship area to participate in various, center activities. These will include basket weaving, a science experiment, involving yeast, and a MCC, information video, a representative from a local, homeless shelter and an Ethiopian Injera demonstration. Browsing centers will provide resource books and a preview of the “Bread for All” sales item.

A simple, meal of soup and bread will provide a time of fellowship and sharing. A gift of a dinner bun and card with a Columbian table grace will be sent home with each participant as an ongoing reminder of the link between peace and justice.

A Story That Goes Round in Circles

2009-11-08T20:45:00.000-06:00

NEWSLETTER
FIRST MENNONITE CHURCH
NOVEMBER 2009
BOX 473
305 NORTH 7TH STREET
MOUNTAIN LAKE, MN 56159
ELAINE KAUFFMAN, PASTOR
seekfrst@frontiernet.net

PASTOR’S PAGE

A STORY THAT GOES ROUND IN CIRCLES
or
When We All Work Together

It’s hard to know where to begin when a story goes in such circles. I guess the best I can do is probably to tell the story as I learned it…
I’ve been going to the Twin Cities MCC sale as often as possible since it began. Colleen Graber works with children’s activities at that Sale. I had first learned to know Colleen because she was related to someone in the First Mennonite Church of Mountain Lake congregation. So now it’s always fun to poke my head in and see what she’s cooked up for the kids to do at the Twin Cities Sale… even if I’m not a kid nor have any kids to get involved there.
Last year Colleen asked me if any of our ladies liked to sew kit bags. One of the activities for the children was to assemble school kit materials, but then she always needed bags to put them in.
Well, I knew that MaJean Heide, who lives in Sioux Falls, likes to sew these bags. How many has she already sewn for us? We were so impressed with the ones made of “parachute” nylon. I don’t know if parachute nylon is even the right term for it, but it was something like that.
So one time when I talked to MaJean I mentioned this need for kit bags. Then I kind of forgot about it. Well, I didn’t exactly forget, but I let it go and didn’t really think about it as I had made the contact I thought might bear fruit.
MaJean loves to hear the hum of the sewing machine as she puts together pieces that match and contrast making useful totes for such things as school kits and health kits. This year she had no parachute material, but she had a whole lot of upholstery samples. Methinks that must be a little more work to sew, so my hat’s off to MaJean. My hat’s off in any event because I am not much of a seamstress!
This fall MaJean called me and asked if I thought 50 bags would be good for Colleen. I couldn’t remember what, if any, number Colleen and I had discussed, but I thought 50 would probably be a gracious plenty. I asked Mary and Martin Harder if they would take the bags from Mountain Lake to the Twin Cities MCC Sale. If you know the Harders, you already are sure the answer was in the positive. Of course, they would take the bags along; they actually do a good bit of transport from Mountain Lake for that sale. Hats off, again!
Now comes the fun part!
When MaJean brought me the bags to send to Colleen, she told me they were made from upholstery material that Edie Tschetter had provided. Apparently, Edie also knew that MaJean sews kit bags. Over the years that Edie was in the MCC office in Freeman (MCC Central States, Northern Tier), she received sample materials that a Mennonite business woman would send to Freeman—to the MCC stockroom and to Freeman’s Et Cetera Shoppe—from her business in the Twin Cities. She often had a lot of upholstery samples that are useful for a variety of projects. They make wonderful kit bags.
Twin Cities made my ears perk up. How about that! The woman from the Twin Cities was none other than Marlys Wiens, one of the people involved from the very start in establishing the Twin Cities MCC Sale. Marlys continues to support, help plan and staff the sale. She also works with MCC in other ways, including a web-log with MCC stories. The stories are found at lovejoypiece.blogspot.com for those who may like to check it out.
So the story comes full circle! Colleen has school kit bags for the children’s activities, the upholstery samples have a new, useful life, and the rest of us have had a whole lot of fun making connections in the journey from upholstery sample to school kit. Wouldn’t it be fun if one of those kit bags could talk and tell us the story of its travels?
-- Elaine Kauffman

I thank my God every time I remember you,
constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you,
because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.
I am confident of this,
that the one who began a good work among you
will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:3-6

Mennonite World Conference Story: Global Family in The Chico, Paraguay

2009-09-02T21:44:00.001-05:00

Below is a story from a visit to a Global Family Project in Paraguay:

The Global Family Program is a Mennonite Central Committee initiative aimed at improving life in individuals and communities through education. Programs are created to provide safe learning opportunities for children and youth, and to build confidence and skills in the students.

One such program exists in Paraguay, where Mennonite colonies in the Chaco have developed a boarding school in the indigenous community of Yalve Sanga. Students come from poor homes – parents pay what they can and Global Family funds pay the remainder. Student housing is available in the community, so that the students, of Latin Paraguayan and indigenous backgrounds, can live in the community and participate in all aspects of the school program.

On our way to Mennonite World Conference in Asunción, we toured some of the Mennonite colonies in the Chaco. One of our stops was Yalve Sanga, where we saw the hospital, the school, dormitories and teachers’ lodgings. The buildings and grounds are attractive and well-maintained. Cement sidewalks connect the school classrooms and medical buildings to one another. Time constraints kept us from touring the inside of these buildings.

We were also treated to a hot meal and Paraguayan music played by a group of men of the Nivaclé indigenous tribe. After lunch our tour guide interviewed one of the musicians in Plattdeutsch, the language spoken in the colonies by the German Mennonites and their indigenous neighbours. I appreciated having the opportunity to see first-hand how the church is working alongside indigenous people to provide education to its children and youth.

by: E. Tewes, Ontario

The different a Selvage can make: PURSES!

2009-06-15T22:08:00.000-05:00

Talk about laugher and fun at the North American Relief Sale meetings in Iowa City when we started talking "Green"! What can a selvage do? "You throw them away", was the first response. The crochet hook was moving right along as Marlys's friend had supplied balls of selvages from their quilt borders. The result: Bags and Purses! Each one was different: Bags with fabric handles for over the shoulder to Clutch Handbags. As the ideas and suggestions came, each purse was different. (The crochet hook is still going, too).

We also were reminded of "One selvage can make a difference". Purses were sold for a donation to MCC and selvages have brought in over $100! (That's a third of a child's education with Global Family). Yes, the Global Family Program has a special place in my heart after spending time two years ago in India, meeting the gal I sponsor, Rita, and becoming friends with the fantastic MCC staff in Kulkutta, India!

Blessings,
Marlys

Framed House Block Hand and Machine Quilted

2009-06-14T22:02:00.000-05:00

The block came with a story with the purchase of a HUD Home and a celebration of dates. MCC celebrates more then making and giving houses globally, we also support our local needs and achievements. This is an example of a quilt block become a piece of "Framed Art" and was auctioned at a MCC Relief Sale.

Colored House Blocks "with a story"!

2009-06-13T21:37:00.001-05:00

These blocks are colored and there are probably 10 to 12 of them. Some have an horse pulling a sled which reminds me of being in the Amish communities as the coloring is so very soft. Some of the blocks are bolder as seen in the attachments today. These blocks are available from Marlys at the Blogs contact email address or the Love Joy Piece chatline.

PA "House" Block Quilt with Hut Boarder Fabric - Available for Relief Sale

2009-06-12T21:31:00.001-05:00

This quilt is available for a Relief Sale and is currently being hand quilted. It resembles the House Traveling Quilt that was sold last year. This quilt has 6 blocks instead of the 9 in the Traveling Quilt and uses the same "Hut" fabric. See the November 2008 for stories from the Traveling Quilt.

Purses and/or Bags: From Heart and House Block

2009-06-11T21:09:00.001-05:00

Here are some different types of bags that have been made using the Heart and House blocks. They have been sold at pre-event sales and also during MCC Auctions. There are many patterns available and with a little creativity and interesting fabrics, we hear "I want that" and that makes it all interesting!

Canadian House Block Quilt

2009-06-10T19:52:00.001-05:00

We are celebrating the first Canadian Block Quilt to the Blog and it's made from Baskets Bev received. This "Traveling Quilt" is available for MCC Relief Sales in Canada as it travels to the various Relief Sales collecting donations but the quilt is not sold. If interested in the quilt, please contact Bev or the Hartzlers, North America MCC Relief Sale Coordinators.

Basket Quilt with Blocks on Point - Minot, North Dakota

2009-06-08T07:39:00.000-05:00

The Basket Block from individuals around the United States will be quilted and auctioned in Minot, North Dakota, in March or April of 2010. The Mott's picked the Minot quilt top. The quilt may have an additional boarder to accent the teal blue Cherrywood Fabric (thank you Cherrywood for your donation). The beauty of Cherrywood fabrics is that the cotton looks like suede.

In March or April 2010, women will be hand quilting the quilt during the auction and at some point the quilt will be auctioned. If it is not completely quilted, the new owner will receive the finished quilt in the next few weeks. We look forward to a finished picture of the quilt and the financial benefit to MCC from Upper Midwest Relief Sale in 2010.

Questions regarding the Upper Midwest Relief Sale, please contact Larry Muff at 218-983-3376 or borse@minot.com

House Quilt to be auctioned at the Arthur, Illinois

2009-06-06T07:29:00.000-05:00

Blocks from around the United States were made into a quilt top and the House Block Quilt will be auctioned at the Arthur, Illinois, MCC Relief Sale on August 28 to 29, 2009. Questions about the sale, please contact: Steve Miller at 217-543-2841 or prairienet.org/arthurreliefsale.

To the Arthur Sale, it was great to see you at the MCC Relief Sale Meetings in Iowa City, Iowa in May and watch you pick the House Block Quilt that was "meant" for Arthur. We pray God's blessings.

Basket Quilt

2009-06-05T22:00:00.001-05:00

The creativity of the makers and donors of the House Blocks for this quilt was quite exciting. Can you find the quilt block you made? One blocks lists a country in Africa. The Quilt celebrates the purpose of individuality of the maker and the individuals that will benefit from the quilt and the funds the quilt will raise!

The House Quilt was designed from the book: Log Cabin Quilts with Attitude by Sharon Rotz. Looking at the book and looking at the quilt - it was a stretch in creativity by Marlys with the encouragement of friends Lorna, Annette, Linda, Kathy, Therese and a few more quilting friend at a Quilt Retreat near Pequot Lakes, Minnesota in March 2009.

The quilt is currently in Versailles, Missouri, scheduled for hand quilting this summer or fall.

Which Relief Sale will Auction the quilt? We are waiting to hear the result and we will post the result when the information is available.

"May the Lord repay you for what you have done."

2009-04-10T18:13:00.000-05:00

7 blocks were received from Margaret from King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, for the "Food for All" quilts.

Sharon from Marion, PA

2009-03-16T22:24:00.001-05:00

Basket Block for "Food for All" quilt.

Thelma from Kansas

2009-03-14T21:53:00.000-05:00

Thelma from Kansas sent three blocks and I'm having a hard time getting the photos posted. Enjoy, anyway!

Basket Block: Helen from Illinois

2009-03-12T19:18:00.001-05:00

Margaret from Pandora, Ohio

2009-03-10T19:04:00.000-05:00

Betty from Washington State:

2009-03-08T18:54:00.000-05:00

I hope this block will work with your quilt plan.

We belong to the Mennonite Church at Warden, Washington, and help with the Sale at Ritzville, Washington, which is held the first Saturday in October.

I always help with the quilts at the sale. Keep up the good work.

Quilt Block from New York State

2009-02-19T16:39:00.000-06:00

Quilt block is of vintage fabric.

Mother and Daughter Team Up

2009-02-16T17:01:00.000-06:00

"My mother in Indiana is sending you a quilt block, so I thought I'd contribute one, too. It was fun to make.

I hope you have many beautiful blocks to work with, with a gorgeous completed quilt!

Quilts are my passion!"

(The mother and daughter sent blocks on different days

and arrived in Minnesota the same day.)

Congolese Fabrics for MCC Traveling Basket Quilt

2009-02-13T17:27:00.000-06:00

I returned from two years in Zaire 1972 with many meters of fabric which I learned to love for its beauty and practicality. We called it Java print. A few yearsago I realized that what I had not used for clothes or tablecloths would be welcomed by the TCMCC Sale quilters. Thanks to Marlys there are now two or three quilts.

Beautiful colorful textiles are produced from 100% cotton fabric, wax-dyed in brilliant colors and patterns unique to the Congo. Women wear long dresses with detail work and then cover the skirt of their dress with a pagne: a piece wrapped around and tucked in the band to anchor it around the waist. The pagne is a versatile piece which is part of the dress but removable and used as a shawl or worn over the head as a cover from the sun or rain. It can be wrapped around an infant and tied on the mother’s back, leaving her hands free. The pagne is worn as an honor by married women.

The fabric can be bought at the market where women are selling it in 6-yard lengths; I believe the cost was $6 in 1972.

I have found no fabric more comfortable in hot weather.

Lois

Akron, PA

2009-02-13T17:18:00.000-06:00

"Thank you for initiating this project. I hope we get to see the quilt somewhere. Have fun putting it together."

"Scrap Basket" from Susquehanna, PA

2009-02-11T17:12:00.000-06:00

Snowbirds from Minnesota in Florida Donate Blocks

2009-02-10T16:45:00.000-06:00

From: Souderton, PA

2009-02-09T16:57:00.001-06:00

Traveling Basket Quilt - Waiting to be hand quilted

2009-02-08T16:13:00.001-06:00

In January 2009, the "top" of the Traveling Basket Quilt for the United States has been completed and is being quilted at the Material Warehouse Quilt Room in Akron, Pennsylvania.

The Quilt Pattern is available through Love, Joy, Piece as the designer is Mountain Rose Quilt Company of Calgary, Alberta. The quilt uses fabrics from Congo, Africa, donated by former MCC Workers, Art and Lois and the hand died blues and gold are donated by Cherrywood Fabrics of Brainerd, Minnesota. The pattern was donated by Lorna of Farm Quilt Haus, Staples, Minnesota, and Marlys, MCC's Love, Joy, Piece editor did the piecing.

As Basket Blocks are received from around the world, blocks and/or quilts will be available for MCC Relief Sales around the United States and Canada.

A story of "She Really "Got It"!"

2008-12-01T22:25:00.001-06:00

Carole from Minnesota donated the Basket Quilt Block and shared a wonderful story that occurred during the "House Traveling Quilt Half Hour Benefit" during the MCC Relief Sale in Minnesota in November.

Our 10 year old Granddaughter, "Annie" has been attending TCMCC Sale for 5 years now. Todate her biggest involvement was collecting Penny Power pennies, hoping each year to surpass the previous ..... and she did! This year her grand total was $132.00.

However, our Family will forever recall a magical moment from this year's sale. The Theme for the Sale was "Building Homes for Bangladesh ". At the time of live auction support for this project, we noticed "Annie" very intently listening to instructions and watching the plastic tent on Stage become filled with small children. Suddenly as the bidders raised their hands for a show of hands for $400 to build a entire home for a family, she appeared confused.

So I explained these dollars could build a home far, far away for especially needy families, to which she replied "really ? ? "..... still not getting the full understanding. It was then that Papa and I decided to give her our bid number and allow her to sponsor a house. She very slowly raised her hand , the auctioneer acknowledged her small little hand and thanked her. She smiled the biggest smile!

But later as the live auction proceeded, she shyly asked me ..... how can I build a house? and for just $400? a house like yours Nanny? with bedrooms? with a kitchen? isn't a house more dollars than what I bid? they really have no home? So she and I shared some quiet time. I explained to her that homes in Bangladesh are smaller, more simple, more basic but "YES" truly she had sponsored a whole home for a family who was now living in just a plastic blue tent like the one on stage and she would be giving a Bangladesh family a most wonderful gift .

But how? Where do the dollars go? How does the house get to Bangladesh? Who builds it? How faraway is Bangladesh? How big is this house? Who gets a house? how many people in a family? Basically I replied that MCC with many helpers, workers and volunteers makes sure that each home gets built in Bangladesh. (Because we cannot build a home here in USA and ship it over there). Then came more and more questions ....... What about clothes? Blankets? A stove? Food? Beds? Books? All families need those things...yes? Again, I explained that MCC provides as best it can all that a family needs.

She was quiet for ever so long and finally she smiled and said "I did that!" ....... her eyes became as big as saucers when the true meaning of what had just happened seemed to register with her. Her eyes may have been as big as saucers, but mine were brimming with tears.

"They get it!" - a much over used phrase.......... but "Annie" did really "get it!"

All at once the full impact of why Nanny and Papa had been taking her to Sales, helping her collect pennies in jars, bidding on auction items, sewing during the winter, volunteering our time and coming home with a new quilt made sense!

In the moment, was born another MCC Supporter .......... only 10 years old but ready for the future!

I add here that we had each year made purchases of baked goods, boutique items, even a new quilt most years and seen her Great Grandmother drive nearly 500 miles from Canada to attend this Sale.......but to a child of 10 years old it is difficult to understand how and why a blanket from a MCC Sale is any different from one bought at the local department store ...... a blanket is a blanket! Big Deal! But a $400.00 bid for a home for a family half way around the world, now that is something that a 10 year old can understand !

... I am a daughter and granddaughter of families who came to Canada in 1920's as a result of the formation of the MCC to bring Mennonites to Canada from Southern Ukraine. My Grandparents and parents were so very grateful to the MCC and all that was done to relocate their families.

("Annie" is a substitute name for privacy reasons.)

Celebration of Traveling House Block Quilt in United States

2008-11-11T05:58:00.001-06:00

On Saturday, November 8, 2008, in Brooklyn Park (Minneapolis), Minnesota, we celebrated together what God has blessed us with and the challenge of taking care of our neighbor - be it in Minneapolis, in Minnesota, or all the way to Bangladesh! It is exciting to see the results of one email requesting people to make and donate a quilt block with a heart on it. Within weeks of that request, heart blocks appeared in my mail box. The heart blocks came from around the United States, Canada and the to our surprise from Germany, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, and from Bolivia, high in the Andes Mountains.

With that momentum, we started a new project with "Houses". In November of 2006, Colleen from the Children's Activities in Minneapolis asked if the children colored House Blocks, could a quilt be made and could it be a traveling quilt? Yes, we could make the blocks into a quilt but I couldn't promise a traveling quilt. In the summer of 2007, the colorful house blocks were delivered and the process continued of finding fabric for the sashings and boards to make the quilt.

Then, the day after Thanksgiving in 2007, the call came from MCC asking if we could use House Blocks from our collection to assist MCC Relief Sales around the United States and one for Canada to bring attention to the cyclone devastation that had just occurred in Bangladesh (which is now a year ago). I was just speechless, the children's House Block Quilt was ready for quilting and the dream of a "Children's Traveling House Block Quilt" was going to be a reality!

The House Block Quilt traveled to Relief Sales across the United States in 2008 receiving donations for the Bangladesh Housing project and it sold in Minneapolis raising in excess of $71,000. That is over 175 houses at $400 in Bangladesh!

The Minneapolis Relief Sale had children in a tent on the stage represented houses in Bangladesh and as $400 was raised, a child was to cross the stage to a House. The auctioneers requested donations and the children had to run across the stage because the $400 donations were so plentiful. It had been the goal to request $400, then $300, and if we had 20 people donating $20, we would have a house. Having the Traveling House Block Quilt hang in front of them, they generously shared God's Blessings to them.

Earlier on Saturday, two young girls stopped by the quilt and suddenly found their names on the quilt blocks. Looking at their parents, they both said "I made that block here last year!" The realization that they had made a difference in this world, was clear on their faces. They had not realized that a quilt had been made, that it had traveled the United States and was providing so many people with a home in Bangladesh. One of those girls left the auction a very happy girl as her father purchased the quilt. She will have a "Show and Tell" she will never forget.

You Can Help Build Shelters of Love for Bangladesh

2008-10-30T12:04:00.000-05:00

Shelters of Love for Bangladesh: The "Homes for Bangladesh" quilt is a traveling quilt and is a symbol of God's love. Funds raised will help build houses for victims of the recent Bangladesh cyclone through Mennonite Central Committee and will travel to many relief sales in North America until it reaches it's final destination to be sold at the Mennonite World Relief Sale in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota on November 8, 2008 (Approximately 1:00) - see www.tcmccreliefsale.org.

The powerful Cyclone Sidr tore into Bangladesh. Hundreds of thousands of people are homeless, left with nothing but what they could carry as they fled. MCC, with your help, has been rebuilding simple houses where the old houses stood.

This traveling quilt was an inspiration of Colleen Graber of the Mennonite World Relief Sale who led children in creating blocks of houses in the children's activity center during the event.

Many voluntters throughout the United States and Canada have created quilt blocks containing houses to be incorporated into textile projects to raise additional funds to help those in need of shelter.

YOU MAY ALSO ASSIST THE VICTIMS OF THE CYLONE IN BANGLADESH DURING THE AUCTION WHEN DONATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED VIA BIDDER NUMBERS.

One block, one quilt, one house, the donations for this quilt make a difference in the world.

It has already generated over $64,000 which would be over 165 houses ($400 each) in Bangladesh. How many houses does it take to make a village? Or, how many villages has this quilt provided funding? It will be exciting to see what the Minnesota sale can generate!

Minnesota Prepares for the Sale of the House Traveling Quilt Begin

2008-10-27T19:06:00.003-05:00

The Traveling House Quilt has traveled the United States in 2008 and the Twin Cities Relief Sales is beginning the process to prepare and educate people on what this "Traveling House Quilt" has accomplished in it's life. The quilt blocks were made by children at the Twin Cities Relief Sale in May of 2007 and as October 2008, it has generated $64,840. It's time to celebrate the theme of "One House Block, One Child's Art Work, One Quilt can make a difference in this world". The purpose of the quilt was to assist in educating Relief Sales across the United States and Canada about the victims in Bangladesh who lost there homes in the cyclone in November of 2007. Donations to the "Traveling House Quilt" of $400 build a family in Bangladesh a home. Today, this quilt is not sold and we have enough funds to build over 166 houses, enough to build several villages!

Sunday, the children listened intently to Greta at Emmanuel Mennonite Church as they realized their friends had drawn the blocks and that they, too, can make a difference in this world! A number of other House block quilts and House Block art pieces will be sold at the Relief Sale.

The Intergenerational Sunday School was set up with 5 centers including:

1. Rice Center with the computer game at www.freerice.com. They had fun learning vocabulary, grammar, or geography while stocking the United Nations World Food Program with rice.

2. Food Center with Bangladesh food.

3. Tablecloth Center where they painted using wooden stamps to decorate a table. The stamps are a product of Bangladesh and are sold at Ten Thousand Villages.

4. A Weather Center demonstrating a bit about Cyclone Sidr, the reason for the

MCC house building project.

5. Video Center where they watch Akey and Showpawn from Bangladesh in a typical day.

On Saturday, November 8, at 1:00 the auction will focus on Bangledesh and ask for more dollars adding up to several $400 donations as children move across the stage from a plastic tent to a Banglesdesh house. It's so exciting to have individuals with the creativity to try new ideas and the Twin Cities MCC

Relief Sales says a special "Thank You" to Lily, who has been the heart beat of the auction since it's beginning in 2001. If you haven't visited the Twin Cities Relief Sale, it does have it's own Urban personality and we invite you to join us. If you are interested in donating to the Bangladesh Housing project or purchasing an item, you can contact lovejoypiece@gmail.com or connect through the mcc.org link attached to the blog.

Some of you may be asking, what does the "Traveling House Quilt" look like? It is our goal to post it in the next day or two. We look forward to your "Responses".

Traveling Quilt: Inspires Intergenerational Sunday School in St. Paul, Minnesota

2008-10-25T12:25:00.003-05:00

The Twin Cities MCC Relief Sale is almost here and many people have been working tirelessly on the sale on behalf of other around the world. The signature "House" quilt has spawned some wonderful ideas including one by our own Lily. It is a wildly creative half-an-hour auction blitz called "Tents to Houses". The goal is to raise enough money to build 12 houses for the victims of cyclone Sidr that hit land in Bangladesh on November 15, 2007.

(Original Child's Quilt Block utilized in Traveling Block)

In the hope of raising even more interest in this cause the Education Commission of Emmanuel Mennonite Church is latching on to this theme and has planned an Intergenerational Bangladesh Sunday School for October 26. One of Emmanuel's strengths is its relationships between youth and adults and this event will give us another opportunity to have fun together while learning about Bangladesh and the gifts this country gives to the world.

There will be a number of centers for a range of interest. Some centers include a video, a computer game, a craft, and yummy food. The refreshment time will be combined with the Sunday School hour to give more time for the activities.

We are looking forward to a fun pack morning with the entire congregation enjoying the spirit of the day!!

by: Tamara

Baskets: Feeding the Hungry

2008-10-13T19:21:00.001-05:00

You are invited to Help MCC Provide "Food for All" by Creating a Basket Block

Basket blocks will be made into quilts and hall hangings to be sold at many Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Relief Sales to help feed the millions around the world who do not have enough to eat.

Your gift will enable MCC to respond quickly to requests for food where needed most and to help many produce their own food.

(American Institute of Philanthropy's Charity Watch gives MCC an "A" rating).

Please take the Basket Block instructions for yourself and share one with a friend.

The block attached is the first block received and it came

from the Rocky Mountain MCC Relief Sale.

House Blocks from the Collection

2008-10-13T19:04:00.000-05:00

Houses! All kinds of them! We celebrated them all as contemplate all the types of housing for people around the world.

House and Heart Block Sampling

2008-10-13T17:49:00.001-05:00

Love Joy Piece has collected Quilt Blocks in various sizes of Heart Blocks and House Blocks. Many of the blocks have been made into quilts and some are still waiting for their use. Attached are a few of the blocks that were received. The variety is wonderful!

House Block Collection Quilt

2008-07-04T19:29:00.001-05:00

A House Block Quilt was made for the Minnkota MCC Relief Sale in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, made from House Blocks Collection that were sent to Love, Joy, Piece from around the country. Monica added a basket with vines and sampler blocks to show the various house blocks. The quilt was auctioned in July 2008.