Purling, counting rows, and knitting are not a part of the typical service ministry for church youth groups. However, what started as a simple one-time project for a confirmation class at Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge, Iowa has grown into a full fledge ministry of the church.
The confirmation students were in need of a service project and the Director of Youth and Family Ministry offered a knitting class during spring break in 2006. There, they learned how to knit bandages for Global Health Ministry. The interest in knitting grew and scheduled lessons and kits were soon offered to anyone in the congregation who wished to learn a new skill, enjoy fellowship time with congregation members, as well as help a cause. The ministry has received support through donations of yarn and a grant through Thrivent. Now, under the direction of the Women of Faith Board, the ministry that became known as Serving Sticks continues offer their knitting talents variety of causes today.
Local causes that Serving Sticks’ ministry supports include prayer shawls for congregation members, hats and scarves for community members as part of the Hat & Mitten Christmas Tree, and baby caps and blankets for Edgerton Women’s Health Center & Family Resources.
In addition to aiding local causes, Serving Sticks’ ministry also touches lives globally. Bandages for Global Health Ministry, newborn caps sent to Washington, D.C for Warm-Up America Foundation and Save the Children, and afghan squares for Hokie Healing (a cause that supports victims of the Virginia Tech shooting) are just few of the non-local causes supported by the group’s knitting talents.
Whether it’s a single youth knitting bandages that will be sent overseas or a group of members knitting scarves for community members in need, a one-time project may blossom into new ministry of the church just as Serving Sticks has done at Faith Lutheran Church.
Article written by Sue Strazewski, member of Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge, IA
For more information about Serving Sticks Ministry, contact Sue Strazewski at 563.285.4131.
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