When Ronda Hatfield received her LWR Affinity Pin, she was inspired by its colorful and meaningful pattern.
She immediately thought: "I bet I could put it in a quilt." And she went to work transferring the artwork for a pin into a lovely quilted banner! She shared the pattern with us and now, we share it with you.
DOWNLOAD THE LWR AFFINITY PIN QUILT PATTERN
The story of a quilt
When Ronda and her husband downsized and moved to Clarkdale, Arizona, they serendipitously moved directly across the street from Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church. Before the boxes were even fully unpacked, Ronda made her way over for a service and immediately knew this was her new home.
As a quilter, Ronda was excited to learn that Spirit of Joy had a quilting group, led by Susan Bro and Carol Schatz, and were sending their finished pieces to Lutheran World Relief. The group is small, only eight women, plus a few “snowbirds” who attend when they are in town.
Ronda with her LWR Affinity Pin quilted banner.
“They showed me their sewing room and put me to work,” she recalls of her first meeting. “I felt immediately welcome, and the friendships I’ve gained have been really special.”
Shortly after she joined, Spirit of Joy was doing their annual Blessing of the Quilts. The group presented 45 quilts — including one from their newest member — for blessing. As a thank you, everyone was presented with an LWR Affinity Pin.
AFFINITY PIN MEANING
The Affinity Pin was created in 2020 to say “THANK YOU” to all the quilters and kit makers who send love to our neighbors in need across the globe.
The cross represents Jesus Christ. The yellow block in the center of the cross is "The Light of The World." The green and blue blocks represent us sending God’s love over land and sea. The triangles represent each of you working together by the power of the Holy Spirit. And the heart is a symbol of us all coming together to spread God’s love.
I was so touched that they included me,” she says. “I had just barely started and still received a pin. It’s so pretty, and it inspired me.
(L to R) Spirit of Joy Quilters Sue Bro, Ann T, Gail Basham and Ronda Hatfield with LWR Affinity Pin quilted banners. ‘Snowbird’ members not pictured are Ann Matzke, Marlene Swenson, Laura Stransky, Carol Schatz, Tatiana Hnatyuk.
Ronda decided to recreate her pin into a quilt. And so, she did. She surprised the group with her creation and offered it as a thank you for their kindness, thinking maybe they could hang it in their meeting room. The reception was so wonderful that the group decided to hang it in the church’s narthex instead!
Once the word got out about Ronda’s quilted banner, others wanted to make them for their churches. She generously shared the pattern, so others can make an LWR Affinity Pin quilted banner as well.
Sharing love of others through Lutheran World Relief
Spirit of Joy is hosting the local quilt guild’s show at their church in October and has affixed a painting of the LWR Affinity Pin on the church’s shed.
“We want people to see our connection to Lutheran World Relief,” Ronda says.
A painting of the LWR Affinity Pin now hangs on the church’s shed.
Ronda’s bubbly personality and quilting knowledge is something Susan Bro looks forward to every Friday when the Spirit of Joy Quilters meet.
“We are so proud of her and want to share her creation with everyone,” Susan says. “The Affinity Pin is a heart representing that love, as well as the cross. Caring for others gives meaning to life. It is why we are here, to care for others.”
A retired nurse, Ronda feels blessed to have found this group that has allowed her to continue caring for others while embracing her love of quilting.
“There’s so much going on in the world,” she says, her voice heavy with emotion. “It’s so important for people to know that they are loved. Sharing kindness is needed so much, and this is one of the easiest ways to do it. I love making quilts for our global neighbors!”
Are you a Quilt and Kit Maker who hasn’t received an Affinity Pin?
Let us know and we will send you this gift as a symbol of our gratitude.
Go to lwr.org/qkpin to order your Affinity Pin today!
No email address? No problem. You can order by phone at 410.230.2708.
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