A Historic Day!

Quilting Days - February 11 - 15


Twice a year the ladies of Bethlehem Lutheran Church get together to make quilts to be transported to Lutheran World Relief who then "bale" them and ship them to third world countries. This was a special time for the ladies as it is the last time we will be quilting in the old church. However, we are planning on getting together on Februaruy 27 to sew layette items to ship as well.


Avis irons the fabric which Carrie then "squares" and pieces together to ready it for sewing.

Leslie is one of the ladies who sew fabric together to make tops, fillers, or bottoms.

Doreen, June and Iris pin tops, fillers and bottoms together, to once again get them ready for the sewers.

Darlene is one of the ladies who sews the outside borders of the quilt.

Tying is a big job! Here Dorothy, Evelyn and Shelley tie one quilt while Isabel, Myrtle and Byrdie tie another one. (Evelyn wants you to know that she actually got up in time to quilt before morning coffee!!!)



Once they are tied, they are piled on the pew in stacks of 20. Later, we will pack them in the boxes Lowell has collected from the Co-op and Ag Foods to ready them for shipping. Gordon and Catherine then take them to Saskatoon where Atomic Transport transports them to the LWR office in Winnipeg. They are then baled and shipped to third world countries.

We had lots to celebrate! It was our last day of quilting in the old church. We made a total of 136 quilts and 6 blankets and it was Lila's birthday. Avis and Carrie also have February birthdays so we honoured them as well.

Prs. Ron and Daryl bring in the refreshments and Elisa, Avis and Lila bring in the cake and ice cream.
This last coffee time was very special as we shared memories of past quilting days. It would be very interesting to know how many quilts were made in this church. We have written records dating back to 1971, but most of the long time quilters feel that we started before that. The total from 1971 and on is 7, 155 quilts and 6, 350 layettes. That does not include the 136 we made this week.

Carrie shared a poem she had written in 1999. (At least we didn't sew a pair of scissors in the quilt). She ended with a prayer she had written,

"Dear Father in heaven, we give you praise
For you have blessed us in so many ways
We have an abundance of every good
We thank you for health, shelter and daily food.
We have so much, Lord forgive our greed
And help us remember the many in need
Give us compassion, make us people who care
May we show your love and be willing to share.
We pray you will bless the work of our hands
May it bring relief in many lands. Amen.


We topped off the day by touring the new church.

The Narthex is carpeted.

Some of the ladies examined the altar rail which was being stained, while others toured the all important kitchen! The drain table is in place waiting for the dishwasher to be installed.

"Where is the coffee??? It's not ready yet???" Byrdie and Doreen ask from the Fireside Lounge.

Lorne and Tony have finished the communion table.

This is what we came to see! This is where we will be quilting in the fall. The Sunday School assembly area is not as big as the basement but we will be able to make use of a Sunday School room or two for ironing or sewing. We will also have a big storage room.
The flooring is installed in most of the Sunday School area. They should be finished all the flooring by the end of next week. The mill work should also be near completion and then there is the big job of cleaning! (You wouldn't believe how dusty it is after the trades people have done their work!) Then the move begins! Maureen is ready!

It's getting close!

The flooring people have been out installing lino. Most of the lino is installed but there is still carpet to lay. This has been a slower process than anticipated but we are still hopeful that we can have our first service in the new church on March 9th! Our Dedication Service is scheduled for April 20th at 2:30 pm. Keep posted for more details!

The Sunday School Assembly area is ready for lino.

One of the Sunday School rooms that has the lino installed.

The fireside lounge has already been used for Building Committee Meetings!

Lots of windows in the fireside lounge!

Our kitchen has most of the cupboards installed!

Flooring is complete in the parish hall.

Pictures from Pr. Daryl - February 2

Thanks to Pr. Daryl for these photos. It really is fun to go up to see the progress so if you have the chance, please do!

Travis and crew have finished the flooring in the parish hall!

The lino is down in the bathrooms and fixtures are going in!

The kitchen is taking shape - needs a lot of dusting/cleaning though!


Our island in the kitchen has two work levels.

The coat racks are up by the office. There is another row across the hall on the bathroom wall.

The sanctuary doors are installed. Don't take the plastic wrap off the glass yet! Less cleaning to do!

What a maze! That's quite a "coffee table!"

Some cupboards for the Sunday School assembly area.

Flooring Prgresses

It's been a while since I have updated this website. It's only 24 below today with a wind chill of ??? - Seems almost tropical after wind chill temperatures of nearly -50°!!!
We are still hoping to have our first service on March 9. I will keep you posted. Join us if you can!


Thankfully the flooring people are tougher and have been out working hard. They are almost done the parish hall now.

Make sure you measure carefully, Travis!

The flooring is complete in the storage room. I wonder how long it will remain empty!

The flooring is down in the washrooms! Thank goodness! Now Darcy can install a much anticipated toilet!

The kitchen cupboards are nearly all installed! Flooring will be next!

We need a good sound system. Here, David and Darren are busy with the brackets for the speakers in the main sanctuary.

Jan 14 - The Cross is in Place!

We are now getting to the finishing touches.
The flooring crew should be here this week.
We are working hard,both at the old church
and at the new church, to be ready to have
our first service in the new church on
March 9.  Stop in and see the progress!

The Cross has been raised! Thanks be to God!

Jarl making door frame adjustments.

Perry installing sanctuary doors.

Darren and Jim installing kitchen
overhead door.

Lorne's Photos

Thanks to Lorne for the following photos.

Communion Railing

Dec 07 - Lorne turning spindles for Communion railing.

Dec 7 - step 1 completed.

Jan 12 2008 - railing complete ready for stain and finishing.

Painting Crew

Jan 12 08 Bob and Sandi busy at work!

Heating system, Jim Johnson's crew

Boilers are now installed and replace the temporary furnaces.

Jan 12 08 David and Darci - adjusting entrance heaters.

Back to work after holidays!

Pumbers, painters and some volunteer carpenters were busy at the church Friday morning. Most helped put the serving counter top in place.

Make sure you don't drop or scratch it! It's heavy!

The counter top is in place but still needs to be leveled and some shims put in.

That will make a real nice serving area!

More kitchen cupboards are in place. It's quite a change from our old kitchen!

The table/chair storage room is being used for other storage while construction continues!

Our parish hall is now well lit!

Soon these saw horses will be replaced with new tables and chairs!