Women from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Christchurch recently completed a three-month service project donating their time and talents to create homemade quilts they are calling “Blankets of Love” to those in need in their Christchurch communities.
The women, all members of the Christchurch Stake Relief Society, the women’s organisation of the Church, met together over a three-month period to design and craft blankets of many colours, fabrics and styles.
The 36 quilts were delivered to people identified as sick or in residential/respite care in their community. A custom designed patch with the words, “Christchurch Stake Relief Society, Blanket of Love” was sewn onto each quilt as a message to those who are experiencing difficult times.
"This has been an amazing activity as a Relief Society to serve those within our local area,” Suz Pitama, president of the Stake Relief Society said. “It has brought multiple congregations together with a common goal of service to our fellow beings living in our community.”
Following the distribution of the blankets, a special devotional was held where hymns were sung and those attending were reminded by their leaders of God's love for each of them.
The Relief Society is one of the oldest and largest women’s organisations in the world. It was established in 1842 for women 18 years of age and older. Its purpose is to build faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those in need.