One More Quilt: A Story of Life
Chapter Five: 1990-1993

Barbara Unger used to be the Director of Christian Education at First Congregational Church in Guilford, Connecticut. She held Tuesday mornings Bible Study group beginning in 1987. I was in Bible Study in 1988, 1989, and 1990, Barbara's last year at First Church.

Our Bible Study group worked on cross-stitch Crismon ornaments. The word Crismon is a contraction of two words - Christ and Monogram. When these symbols are placed on a Christmas tree, it tells the story of the true meaning of Christmas.

These symbols have been used throughout the ages as a sign of Christian Faith. Some of the symbols represented are: The Fish, representing the Savior, was used as a sign by early Christians; the Manger, symbolizes the manger in which Mary placed the baby Jesus; The Alpha and Omega stands for Christ who says, "I am the Alpha and Omega - the beginning and the end, the first and the last." Rev. 1:8; Grapes are used to symbolize the sacrament of the Holy Communion; the Butterfly symbolizes the resurrection and life everlasting for the believer; the Lyre represents David and his musical abilities and it also stands for joy in praising the Lord; the circle at the top of the Celtic cross representing eternal life; the Shell with three drops of water represents Baptism; Jesus' name in Greek; the Descending Dove with a halo around its head is a symbol of the Holy Spirit; the Ark and Rainbow are symbols of Noah and the flood and of God's promise; the Crown of Thorns and Nails is a passion symbol of the crucifixion of the Lord; the six-pointed star is called the Creator's Star and represents the six days of creation and it is also called the Star of David and is a symbol of Zionism; the Lamp symbolizes the knowledge and wisdom found in the Bible, "Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet." Psalm 119:105; the Cross Crosslet, made by combining four Greek crosses, is a symbol of the spread of Christianity to the four corners of the earth; the Anchor Cross was used by early Christians as a symbol of their faith when they had to avoid recognition as Christians to avoid persecution; the Calvary Cross is the Latin Cross standing on three steps which represent Faith, Hope and Love; the Latin Cross represents the kind of cross upon which Jesus was crucified; the Jerusalem Cross is a symbol of the unity of all Christians; the Chi Rho is the first letters of the Greek word for Christ; the Cross and Crown symbolizes the reward in life for Christians after the death of the body and it also symbolizes that Jesus is King of Kings; the Circle and Triangle represents the eternity of the Trinity; the Scroll symbolizes the first five books of the Old Testament that contained the sacred laws and is called the Torah which formed an important part of Jewish life and worship; and the Triangle represents the Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (This information is from Designing Women Unlimited, Christian Symbols Unlimited, Book 3).

Other symbols are: the Christmas Rose symbolizing the nativity of our Lord; the Ship is symbolic of the Church as it was opposed by persecution during the early days of Christianity; Fleur-de-lis Cross is the symbol of Purity; the Chalice is used to symbolize the Passion, Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End; Brazen Serpent on Tau Cross refers to John 3:14, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the son of Man be lifted up."; the Lamp is the symbol of Jesus Christ, John 1:29, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world."; Sand Dollar is known as the Holy Ghost Shell in which the markings recall events in the life of Christ; Coptic Cross with Birds represents the Faithful; the lamp stands for Wisdom and Knowledge, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path."; the Three Fishes United to Form a Circle reminds us that all three persons of the Trinity contribute to our salvation; the Cross with Orb symbolizes Christ's dominion over the world; and the Cornerstone is from Ephesians 2:20, "Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone." (This information is from Heirloom Chrismon Ornaments, Book 2).

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Each of us made cross-stitched Christian symbols that into a quilt. I helped to choose the fabrics and to put it together with Mimi Dudley and Dianne Hughes. The quilt was finished in 1989. The Bible Study Group: Gen Bailey, Jeanie Cacopardo, Karen Diamond Kalbfeld, Gladys Donnelly, Mimi Dudley, Vicki Fisher, Anita Guay, Peg Heidtman, Dianne Hughes, Kate Hutchins, Edna Norman, Chris Sanderson, Tracy Sinanis, and Barbara Unger.

In September 1989, our Group began this way:

I finished my Block of the Month Bible Study quilt in 1990. The center of my quilt is the Tree of Life (September). Starting at the top left is the Dove (January) which represents Peace. Next to the Dove to the right is a Friendship Star (October) which represents Love and Friendship. Next to that one is the Children of Israel block (November) which represents God's relationship to His Children. Next to that one and all the way to the top right is Hens and Chicks (February) which represents the Biblical imagery of God as Female. Under the Dove block on the left-hand side going down is the Providence block (March) which represents God's providential care. Under that block is another Friendship block. On the bottom left is Jacob's Ladder (June and we got to choose our own block for the last month). To the right of that block is Cross Within a Cross (April) which represents Resurrection. To the right of that block is yet another Friendship block. Underneath the Hens and Chicks block on the top right of the quilt is the Morning Star block (December) which represents Jesus as the star and "The Light of the World." Underneath that block is yet another Friendship block. To complete the quilt, the bottom right-hand block is called World Without End (May) which represents Jesus as the Alpha and Omega. I chose to quilt stitch my name and the year 1990 in the middle of this block.

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In the last year of the Bible Study group in 1990, twelve women bonded together: Gen Bailey, Jeanie Cacopardo, Sue Cober, Gladys Donnelly, Anita Guay, Peg Heidtman, Dianne Hughes, Kate Hutchins, Alice Mitchell, Edna Norman, Chris Sanderson, and Barbara Unger. At the end of this year, Barbara Unger was called to become the Christian Education Director at Kensington Congregational Church and we had to say good-bye to her.

As our gift to Barb, we made a cross stitched quilted wall hanging. Each of us took a turn to work on it. Jeanie and I met on the Guilford Green to pass the square to each other so it could be done on time. The Bible Study group dissolved as a weekly group, but we helped each other over the summer to finish the Bible Study blocks into quilts.

After some time went by, Barb called us together at her house for brunch. Our ties that bind were never broken. We shared, we laughed, and we prayed. And, we planned that day to meet with each other at least once a year. And we have.

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In 1991, I made the Antique White Crocheted Afghan as a Silent Auction offering for First Congregational Church in Guilford, Connecticut.

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In 1991, Jeffrey had a favorite third grade teacher, Mrs. Vita Torres, and Katie had a favorite first grade teacher, Mrs. Nancy Stander, at Cox School. I made the cross stitched apple pictures for the front of the little pillows. I embroidered each of their drawings and words to their respective teachers. What fun that was!

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