|
by Anne Rodman Thorward, UUCSS Member
Introduction
A few years ago, a visitor to the church asked me how someone gets
their name on the quilts. Of course, I answered the person, but
the question intrigued me and made me realize that we have the opportunity
to create a living history. There are so many who are gone now yet
so important to us. Some time ago I approached Daisy Grubbs [the
quilts designer and creator] about doing a biography of each person
named on the quilts, but when asked directly by a visitor, it seemed
all the more important to get busy. I thought that we had better
document the stories of our members who have died or they will be
forgotten. Thus I started the QUILT HISTORY PROJECT.
I witness my own friends and think of them every time I am in church.
(I admit that sometimes I reminisce when not really listening to
the speaker---) These names. Who are they? What are their stories?
How did they come to be a part of our community? These are our loved
ones. To create a living history, a short history of each person
on the quilt is being compiled.
Quilt History Books
There are 7 books—one for each of the seven quilts. Each
book has a photograph of the corresponding quilt on the front and
back covers. Each name is listed on the inside in the same order
as embroidered on the quilt. There are two pages for each name where
stories, photographs, orders of service can be inserted.
There is also an eighth book. It contains general information on
the birth of the quilts—both The
Blue Quilts and the Window
Series—inspired and created by Daisy Grubbs. More
specific details are contained in Book 8.
On the first three “Blue Quilt” series, many names
are embroidered (often by family members) in the handwriting of
the deceased. In some cases the handwriting samples were taken directly
from the membership book.
The Flaming Chalice quilt was created specifically for
this space, when this Sanctuary was built, and includes the names
of members who died before 1985. The second one, Seascape,
includes the names of members who died from 1986 to late 1990s.
The third one, Constellations, has the names of children
of members.
Share The History, Remember The Names
Many are names I did not know, yet I recognized many. I was sometimes
embarrassed, hesitant, nervous, or unsure about how to approach
those whose spouse, sister, brother or child is shown here. You
may be too. Now, with a living history, perhaps we can be warmed
by the stories of those on our quilts, reach out more comfortably,
and strengthen our friendship with those who have lost someone,
especially a child.
To remember each person named on the quilts, family members are
encouraged to write a bit about each person whose name is stitched
there. There are two pages for each name. One page has a suggested
outline, gray for adults and tan for the children. You may want
to insert a photograph, special accomplishments, just ordinary news
about your loved one. For parents of babies you may want to share
a special story about your family.
Please no big stuff. This is not the Vietnam wall. There will be
no warehouse to story items. Everything must fit on two pages. Instructions
and ideas for the Story Pages are available for family members in
the back of each book and in Book 8.
A Living History
The QUILT HISTORY PROJECT is a living history that is never complete
as long as we are here to perpetuate our church community. I thought
this would be an easy, quick project, but it has turned not so.
Aside from the overwhelming emotional aspects of this project,
there is much to do on a practical level:
- Add the more recent names to the books.
- Contact families who have moved away.
- Catalogue the stories.
- Build a cabinet that locks to store the Books. (The Arts Committee
has already offered to help).
- Identify the quilters and those who embroidered many of the
names.
If you are interested, kindly let me know.
All the books will soon be on display every Sunday morning. If
your family member’s name is on the quilt, please pick up
the outline for the Story Pages with suggestions of what you may
want to insert in the Book.
This time, April 2004 is just the beginning in writing our church
biographies. The empty pages will be filled by you. I will close
with the epitaph on the first Window Series quilt: Meditation
Garden. A Tuscarora proverb: “they are not dead who live
in the hearts they leave behind”.
|
