As part of our focus on peace, I shared this photo of our completed 'peace quilt'.  It is beautiful, not so much for its appearance (though I am pleased with how it turned out) but for the memories it carries and the stories it tells.

The four corners honour I, the grandmother of T, who has faithfully joined us online each week for worship.  The life story of I is incredible, a German woman who, having been in a concentration camp,  went on to train as a doctor.

The centre, where the embroidery is, was 'just a church tea towel', used to dry cups and plates after prayer meetings, funeral teas, Sunday School parties, and any number of other events in the life of a church.

The faded, stylised Victorian(?) figures were a tea towel used to dry the mugs of our weekly drop in for vulnerable adults... memories of dominoes, and Redemption Hymnal, of ginger cake and the inimitable Miss A who ran it for decades.

Memories of overseas service with TLM, of people's holidays in New Zealand, Norwich and the Shetlands... lingering smells of kitchen drawers... stories of loved ones no longer here, and the story of our 2020 experience all bought together in one place.

Sewing the quilt was a privilege, sharing something of its story a responsibility, knowing that its value lies, not in silver or gold, but in the life of this community, a precious gift.