Good with a Needle

“Dorcas" isn’t a name you are likely hear much outside of Amish settlements. But it’s alive and well in Holmes County and Wayne County, where I lived prior to moving to Brunswick. The Dorcas in the Bible we meet in Acts 9:36-41, where you catch on pretty quickly that she was greatly loved by those who knew her. 

“She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor,” and when Simon Peter arrived, they showed him “the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them.” She was good with a needle and good with people, and they were in grief. Simon Peter arrived, knelt and prayed, and commanded her to arise. She opened her eyes and sat up. News spread, of course, and the rejoicing was great, perhaps especially by those who were the recipients of her being mindful towards them.

As far as I know,  we don’t have anyone named “Dorcas” in our church, but we have many who are good with a needle. So far, about a dozen of them are on a “Dorcas Quest” - using materials at hand, and improvising when needed, they are making masks for people to use during these days of social distancing. 

But more people who are deft with a needle are still needed. If you have mask making materials and want to join in, please do - the more, the merrier! There is a collection box at the church where masks can be dropped off during office hours (call ahead to be sure someone is there), with the intent of distributing them locally where needed. 

Some masks work better than others, and some get more attention than others too. Maybe you've seen some memorable masks, as have I. The photo below shows that even when the materials run out, creativity still flourishes. (For our mask drive, though, we are discouraging the newspaper variety of masks.)  Whether making masks or wearing them, may the light of Christ brightly through us all! - —Pastor Tom