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 Photo courtesy of Prayers & Squares International |
Rochester Info-Courses is proud to host Chapter #447 of the Prayers & Squares Ministry. Prayers and Squares is an interfaith outreach ministry that combines the gift of prayer with the gift of a hand-tied quilt. Unlike many other organizations that make quilts for charitable causes, the purpose of Prayers & Squares is not to make and distribute quilts, but to promote prayer through the use of quilts. Our motto is: "It's not about the quilt; it's all about the prayers."
Each Knot Represents a Prayer
The idea behind these prayer quilts is simple. A heavy thread is used to take stitches through the quilt layers, and the ends are left free to be tied with square knot. As each knot is tied, a silent prayer is said for someone in special need, who then receives the finished quilt.
Through Prayers & Squares many quilts have been distributed, each a special gift of love. They have been made for sick babies, for cancer and AIDS patients, for adults and children facing surgery or personal crisis; for many reasons, but each for someone in special need of prayer.
The Ministry began in 1992 at Hope United Methodist Church in Rancho Bernardo, California. The Ministry now consists of many individual chapters around the world. Each chapter has agreed to follow three basic rules, which we refer to as the "Three Commandments of Prayers & Squares":
| 1. | Remember the Prayers & Squares motto: “It's not about the quilt, it's all about the prayers .” The purpose of our ministry is to promote an active prayer life among the participants, not just to make and give away quilts. We strive to involve as many people as possible in our prayer efforts. |
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| 2. | We must ASK before we give the gift of a prayer quilt; surprises are not appropriate. We ask if the person to receive the quilt will accept our gift of prayer. We ask what they would like us to pray for. We also ask what information about their situation may be shared with others. |
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| 3. | We do not accept any form of payment for a prayer quilt; it is a gift of love and prayer which cannot be bought or sold. It is very important that those who request or receive prayer quilts do not feel obligated to Prayers & Squares in any way. |
Ministry volunteers are most welcome. The ministry meets monthly at various locations. No prior quilting experience is necessary. Donations of fabric, thread and other quilting materials are always needed and gratefully accepted. Donation pick-up is available upon request. For more information about our chapter, please contact us by email at Prayers and Squares.