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TARPON SPRINGS
Imagine making 400 quilts and giving each one away. That's what the women of Lakeview Community Church's Prayer Quilt Ministry do.
"Our motto is, it isn't about the quilts, it's about the prayers," says Vangie Klonaris of Tarpon Springs, founder of the prayer quilt outreach ministry.
For two weeks after they're made, the hand-tied quilts hang in Lakeview's worship center with a tag saying who the prayer quilt is made for and why.
Maybe the person is battling cancer, struggling with depression, or facing open-heart surgery. The reasons vary as much as the colors in the quilts.
Whatever the problem, the women of the Prayer Quilt Ministry design, cut, piece, sew and tie quilts, tucking prayers in as they sew in heavy threads.
Then they give them away.
Often to strangers.
Klonaris got the idea during a Lakeview prayer group when she met Marie Kennedy of New Port Richey, who had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Another church member — who had been given a prayer quilt at a church up north — gave it to Kennedy.
Klonaris thought, why not make prayer quilts at Lakeview?
"When I started this ministry three years ago, I didn't even know how to quilt," said Klonaris. "I prayed about it, then turned to friends."
Her friend Jean Stephens had been quilting for years. She agreed to teach Klonaris. Then Stephens taught her twin, Joan Tramonte, who wanted to help Klonaris. The 80-year-old twins aren't Lakeview members, but have arrived on every Monday since to sew and teach others.
"We got roped into this," Stephens said with a smile. "I've had practice making quilts for my children and 12 grandchildren."
"I do this because I enjoy it," said Tramonte.
Mary Ifft of Holiday has been in the group from day one, too, and recruits people when they show an interest.
"I grab people on Sunday who walk up and say, 'I love quilts, but don't know anything about quilting,'" said Ifft. "I say, 'No, no, we'll show you. You'll love to do it. If you can bring this kind of comfort to someone, why not?'"
And while every woman can't show up during the group's four-hour session each Monday morning, some of them sort, piece and sew at home.
"I work full-time and come when I get time off," said Leane Mangold of Oldsmar, who joined a year ago. "The girls are very giving. It's creative, and sewing at home, I think about when the person receives the quilt. I imagine them wrapping up in it knowing people have prayed over the quilts. It's very personal."
Vickie Quilitz of New Port Richey just finished her first quilt.
"Up to this point, it took about a month," said Quilitz. "I'm taking my time. I enjoy it."
Antonia Korfias of Tarpon Springs arrived with 17 quilt faces completed. Sewing is her pride and joy. "I've been making quilts for three years, but sewing for 46," said Korfias.
All that was left to complete Korfias' quilts was the batting and back of the quilts. That and the finishing touch.
Literally.
That means hanging the quilts inside the worship center for anyone to tie a knot in the threads. To say a prayer for the person who will receive the quilt.
The group's scrapbook bulges with thank-you notes from these people. Sometimes they mention a quilt's beauty. Sometimes they express appreciation for the quilters' time, creativity and prayers.
And sometimes notes come from family members. Like the one from the family of a woman who died of ovarian cancer and was buried with her prayer quilt wrapped around her.
Last year, the women also made and delivered 100 prayer blankets for a Dominican Republic orphanage that will open this spring.
"I didn't know when I joined this wonderful ministry three years ago, I would be so touched by it," said Dianne Tanella. "I never imagined it to come around full circle, but my mother received one before she passed away last year. She was so touched because she understood the time and effort it takes.
"Then to give it away. To make something that brings comfort, security and lets a person know someone cares and is praying for them, is one of the greatest blessings."
All the women donate their time and talent, and often buy material. They enjoy each other's company. Share lunch. Socialize a few times a year without thread or scissors in their hands. But quilts are their labor of love to a hurting world.
"We've had quilts sent to Patmos, Greece, to Australia, and one went to the astronaut Nicole Stott," said Klonaris.
"We make each one special and say prayers so when the person is covered with the quilt, they know they're covered in prayer."
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