“The name Passionate Stitchers, rather than Passionate Quilters, was chosen because our prayer is for peace,” Jan explained. “We pray for the day when our quilts will not be needed for our soldiers. God will show us our next project, perhaps blankets for Project Linus, which donate blankets and quilts to nursing homes. That is what is so wonderful about being part of Passionate Stitchers --- God has taken control of a group of wild and wonderful women and that is quite an accomplishment! He has blessed us with a corporate sponsor, the Knights of Columbus have donated some money to help defray costs, and we have parishioners offering assistance.”
The quilts have to be made to exact specifications. Each one must be 48” X 78”, all cotton (no synthetics) and have a red/white/blue theme. There can be no cartoonish characters like little bears holding a flag, but patriotic and religious symbols are allowed. It takes about 10 woman hours to complete one quilt.
The quilts have to be made to exact specifications. Each one must be 48” X 78”, all cotton (no synthetics) and have a red/white/blue theme. There can be no cartoonish characters like little bears holding a flag, but patriotic and religious symbols are allowed. It takes about 10 woman hours to complete one quilt.
The Holy Spirit speaks to each of us at different times and in different ways. Often times that soft little whisper in our minds is ignored because we are not accustomed to listening for it or we toss it aside because it is not telling us what we want to hear. It is sometimes difficult for us to ascertain if those gentle thoughts that unexpectedly float quietly through our mind like a billowy cloud are the Holy Spirit’s voice or the Evil One luring us, in his sly ways, by disguising himself as the Holy Spirit.
So, we pray asking…”Is that really you God…if it is, send me a sign.”
So, we pray asking…”Is that really you God…if it is, send me a sign.”
Having a son in the Marines, Jan is accustomed to visiting various websites related to the military. One day, she happened to visit a site called Citizensam.com (Citizen Support America’s Military) and saw a link, “Quilts for our Wounded.” She’s not sure why, but she clicked the link and as she read what “Quilts for our Wounded” was all about, the Holy Spirit’s soft voice became more like a shout. Jan immediately knew that this was it…this was what had been knocking at the door of her heart.
Jan embroideries. She used to have an embroidery business and has an industrial embroidering machine in her home. She does not sew and has never quilted or even had a desire to quilt…but all of a sudden she felt a strong urge to learn how to quilt…she knew that she wanted to make a quilt and send it to Citizen SAM for a wounded soldier. So, she called Fr. Young and arranged a meeting to seek his council and to tell him about her epiphany.
As Jan shared her experience with Fr. Young, he could sense the passion exuding from her heart and told her…”This is a good idea! Let’s do it! Let’s do it here in our parish…you head it up.” This is the place where the, “Oh-my-gosh, now what do I do?” flooded Jan’s mind, accompanied by doubts and fears. Father, in his gentle but persuading manner, told her... “Don’t worry Jan, you can do this…call Kathy Boylan, she will help you.”
As Jan shared her experience with Fr. Young, he could sense the passion exuding from her heart and told her…”This is a good idea! Let’s do it! Let’s do it here in our parish…you head it up.” This is the place where the, “Oh-my-gosh, now what do I do?” flooded Jan’s mind, accompanied by doubts and fears. Father, in his gentle but persuading manner, told her... “Don’t worry Jan, you can do this…call Kathy Boylan, she will help you.”
Jan said, “After the announcement was in the church bulletin for 2 weeks, we had our first meeting in Flannery O’Conner Hall. If no one showed up, it would have been back to my original plan....just me. But God smiled and sent two of his servants...Judy Sand and Mirella Hatcher. Judy had quilting knowledge and experience. Mirella and I didn't have a clue.”
What started with three has blossomed into eight. By the first of December, Mirella Hatcher, Judy Sand, Dianna Rodgers, Janet Shriver, Christine Glass Cindy Sencindiver and Kathy Boylan had completed and shipped 10 quilts. Jan’s passion overflowed into the hearts of each of the ladies and collectively they decided to make this a ministry and call themselves the “Passionate Stitchers”.
What started with three has blossomed into eight. By the first of December, Mirella Hatcher, Judy Sand, Dianna Rodgers, Janet Shriver, Christine Glass Cindy Sencindiver and Kathy Boylan had completed and shipped 10 quilts. Jan’s passion overflowed into the hearts of each of the ladies and collectively they decided to make this a ministry and call themselves the “Passionate Stitchers”.
“After one of our wounded warriors receives initial medical treatment on the battle ground, they are sent to a safe and fully equipped medical unit some distance away. They are placed on a gurney and transported via helicopter or plane and the quilts help keep the soldiers warm during the cold trip. “The quilt stays with the soldier and is theirs to keep”, Jan explained. Each completed quilt has an embroidered patch sewn on it saying Made by Passionate Stitchers, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Milledgeville GA.
Passionate Stitchers meet each Wednesday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in Flannery O’Connor Hall. “We welcome anyone, young or old, man or woman, to join us. You don’t need to know how to quilt and you don’t need to bring anything but a desire to help,” Jan said as she folded one more completed quilt.
Passionate Stitchers meet each Wednesday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in Flannery O’Connor Hall. “We welcome anyone, young or old, man or woman, to join us. You don’t need to know how to quilt and you don’t need to bring anything but a desire to help,” Jan said as she folded one more completed quilt.
Last October, Jan Foshee was hearing little whispers in her mind making her feel that she was supposed to be doing something…but she did not know what it was. Those who know Jan and her husband, Ken, know that they have had some harrowing experiences in their lives and feel blessed to have survived them. Was the feeling related to those times? She didn’t know, but it kept nagging her. It was not a feeling like she needed to straighten up her closet, or go to the store. It was a feeling within her heart that God wanted her to do something for him...but what? It's not always easy to hear the Holy Spirit.
Contact Jan and get energized by her passion.
You can reach her at 478-968-7056.
You can reach her at 478-968-7056.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Pasionate Stitchers
Veteran's
Memorial-Honor
Quilt
CLICK HERE
Memorial-Honor
Quilt
CLICK HERE
