St. Thomas Episcopal Church - Threads of Love
Why did we start?
In May 2001 I read an article in the Express News about Liz Page and Threads of Love. She was going to receive an award in Washington, D.C. I love to knit and crochet so I contacted her to see what I could do. I then talked to a few friends at Saint Thomas and they thought it would be a good outreach for the church. So we made an invitation to the church membership at Rally Day and got a good response. Our first meeting was September
2001.
When do we meet?
We meet the first Monday of the month in the St. Thomas conference room at 1 p.m. Most of the actual work, however, is done at home. We meet the first Monday to share ideas and to collect items that have been made.
Who is involved?
Our group has grown to a total of about 65, with new members joining and some old ones moving on to other ministries. Through word of mouth we have added to our number 25 members from other churches. Six Girl Scout troops have also helped. Presently, with the help of coordinators Linda Balez and Gayle Bretz, Independence Hill and Regent Care Nursing Facility residents contribute blankets. St. Thomas' Threads of Love reaches beyond San Antonio with 2 members in Culpepper, VA, one of them 95 years young; 2 members in Bridge City, Texas; and 1 in Loveland, Colorado who all mail in knitted and crocheted items.
Classes
Mary Loehman (494-3159) offers knitting classes every Tuesday evening in her home in Hollywood Park. Crocheting classes can be arranged. Linda Balez will be offering a quilting class on September 13th at St. Thomas.
Contact
Mannes Bumstead
656-9013
Saint Thomas Episcopal
First United Methodist Church, Kerrville - Threads of Love
Our group started in 2001. I saw an article in the paper about Liz receiving an award - and filed it - thinking it would be a good project for our women's group at First United Methodist Church. It was several months before I was at the doctor's office and saw Mary Loehman knitting. Of course, I asked what she was doing. She was happy to explain and that started things rolling. Liz visited our group early in 2001, showed what is done, and explained how to go about helping. There were about 10 of us interested and we started that month.
We meet once a month on the 2nd Thursday of each month at First United Methodist Church to work together. We have volunteers sewing, cutting fabric, 'stuffers' and someone sewing on labels. We have a sack lunch and work until about 1 p.m. There are usually 6-8 at the meeting, but we have 4 or 5 that work at home and send items to us. Most of us also work at home so many items are brought in each month.
We have one lady who paints memory boxes who has recruited her college granddaughter in Houston to crochet afghans. We also have one family in our church with twin boys born 1 1/2 years ago. One survived and is doing well. He and his mother visited one day during our meeting. That brought it home that what we do is appreciated.
One of the papers in town did an article about us a year ago that explained our purpose. The Hill Country Quilt Guild has started making quilts for us as part of their outreach. They have contributed many so far this year. We welcome anyone who is interested in sharing in this ministry.
Contact
Bethel Nickles (830) 895-5363 nicklesb@ktc.com
Virginia Martin (830) 895-4156
Johnathon-Boerne
King of Kings Lutheran
Johnson City
Janie Moreland (830) 868-7361 is the president of the Johnson City Quilt Guild which meets at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church at 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month, except November and December. Seven of the 25 members make items for TOL. As of 2009, the Guild has been in existence for seven years and became a satellite about two years ago. They make quilts for TOL along with other items. They gather from Johnson City, Blanco, and the surrounding communities. Janie said the Guild also makes "anti-ouch" patches (shoulder bags for breast cancer patients) along with the Marble Falls Quilt Guild, and bibs for the local nursing home.
San Marcos Satellite
Donna Dees (512) 396-2090 leads a one-year-old group at Calvary Baptist Church in San Marcos. The group, called Calvary Baptist Threads of Love, meets on the first and third Mondays at 2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Area. The 10 to 12 participants produce A LOT!
LaVernia Satellite
Pat Brandt (210) 478-1168 leads the LaVernia Piece Makers who have sewn for TOL for almost a year (2009). They have eleven participants and meet in different homes at 9:00 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month and sew all day. An interesting fact is that they all go to the coast for a retreat twice a year. They take their sewing machines, tables, chairs and supplies, and rent two condos. They sew all day and eat out every night. What fun!
NuStar Satellite
Dawn Wiley (210) 918-3852 is the contact for NuStar Energy located at 2330 N. Loop 1604 E. This group is made up of ladies within the company who meet once a week over lunchtime to crochet, knit, and/or learn how to knit or crochet. Their 25 enthusiastic members have been meeting for several months now (2009).
Other Groups
New Satellites are forming at Valero Energy and in Fredericksburg, Texas. We also have ladies who contribute to TOL at Air Force Village II, Renaissance Village, and individually across the country.
University Hospital
Santa Rosa Hospital
Southwest General Hospital
Downtown Baptist Hospital
Military Hospital - Okinawa
Westover Hills Santa Rosa Hospital
Methodist Hospital
Metropolitan Methodist Hospital
Wilford Hall Hospital
North Central Baptist Hospital
St. Luke's Baptist Hospital
Stone Oak Methodist
Any Baby Can - San Antonio
Kerrville Pregnancy Center
Child Protective Services
Hill Country Pregnancy Care Center
Any Baby Can - Kerrville
Children's Shelter
SA Pregnancy Care Center
Seton Home
THREADS OF LOVE
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
