ELCA NEWS SERVICE
October 3, 2008
Quilt Made by Nigerian Women Living with HIV Now Available to ELCA
08-167-MRC/AB*
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A quilt created by Nigerian women who
are HIV-positive is now available to the congregations of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The 22-by-24
foot quilt, weighing more than 65 pounds, is based on a
painting by Dr. He Qi, a Chinese Christian artist.
The quilt was used as a stage backdrop during the 2008
ELCA Global Mission Event this summer. It illustrates three
biblical stories of "accompaniment" -- a method of mission
defined by ELCA Global Mission as "walking together in
solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality."
Congregations and global mission personnel of the church
practice this methodology.
The 13 women who created the quilt are participants
in "Women of Hope" -- a program of the Mashiah Foundation,
Jos, Nigeria. The program serves about 140 women who have
lost homes, jobs and family support because of their HIV
status. It provides women living with HIV transitional
housing, food and funds to pay for their children's
education, and it offers to teach women sewing. Quilts,
table runners and bags are made and sold by women as a
means to support themselves and their children.
Many participants in Women of Hope have been able
to purchase land and/or been able to return to their home
villages, where they are now respected and recognized as
women living with HIV.
The Mashiah Foundation operates a holistic HIV and
AIDS education, prevention, testing, counseling and health
ministry, including Women of Hope. It is supported by
annual grants from the ELCA.
"The beautiful quilt is a tangible way of understanding
what it means to receive the gifts of vulnerable women who
are supported by the work of our church in relationship with
our companions," said Sunitha Mortha, director for global
formation, ELCA Global Mission.
ELCA Global Mission invests about $30 million a year
in support of God's mission in the world. In addition to
making direct grants to companion churches and institutions
to build institutional capacity, evangelism and Christian
education programs, schools, water systems, health care
facilities and more, the ELCA provides scholarships to
develop and educate leaders, and it provides funding to
train and support the work of more than 270 mission personnel.
The quilt is available for congregations hosting an
event with more than 600 participants.
- - -
Information about ELCA Global Mission is at
http://www.ELCA.org/globalmission on the Web. To reserve
the quilt, call 1-800-638-2522 ext. 2448.
*Anne Basye is associate director for global resources,
ELCA Global Mission.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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