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Date: 4/6/2021
SOUTHAMPTON – On March 27, First Congregational Church of Southampton revealed a collection of different artwork by community members joined together to form a paper quilt.
According to Sue Teece, one of the church members who deals with community outreach, the idea is a continuation of all the types of outreach the church has participated in across the pandemic, including mask giveaways and food distribution.
“We look for some outreach to bring the community together,” said Teece, who added that Alison Wondriska, another member of the church, came up with the idea of making a quilt out of paper. “We all planned that we would use lots of church school items that hadn’t been used for several years.”
The church members took 9-by-12 manilla envelopes, stuffed them with a bunch of arts and craft supplies, and then had members of the community drive up to the portico of the church to collect these arts and craft supplies over the course of two Saturdays. Supplies were also delivered to people if needed.
These people of all ages then created their own 8-by-8 artwork piece that was then joined with other pieces of artwork to form the quilt. “It was for anybody that wanted to participate,” said Teece, who added that there are around 88 quilt squares present between the two front doors at the church. Forty three children from William Norris Elementary created their own artwork for the quilt.
The theme of the quilt is “renewal,” which, according to Teece, is reflected in a majority of the artwork throughout the quilt. For example, one piece of artwork says “there is a new day coming,” while another one says “hope.”
“I think the actual working on the art was cathartic to people who have been closed in for the pandemic, and not able to go into the church,” said Teece. She explained that the quilt was another way for community members to feel connected from an artistic standpoint.
Teece said that the intention was not to be deeply theological about the idea of “renewal,” but explained how the term does represent a sense of rebirth and renewed spirits as spring continues to develop.
“I think the hope was that people would feel that sense of rebirth and renewal now that we’re moving toward the vaccination,” said Teece. “I also think it’s a way people are introspectively thinking about how they might’ve changed throughout the pandemic.”
The likelihood of returning to a complete normal at the church in the near future is very slim, according to Teece. The church is instead working on being more community-oriented and inclusive, as well as being more open to differences throughout society.
“The church isn’t just a building right there, but it’s there for the community,” said Teece. “And we need to be out into the community, and not just insular.”