After 30 years, a pew cushion for every bottom at Westminster Church
March 2, 2019 6:11 PM   Subscribe

In the late 1980s, the pew cushions at Westminster Presbyterian Church were worn out and needed to be replaced. The parishioners decided to replace the boring brown cushions with needlepoint ones inspired by bible stories, wildlife, as well as local landmarks and history. This year, the volunteer stitchers expect to complete the project. (last link includes lovely video)
posted by vespabelle (14 comments total) 33 users marked this as a favorite
 
Ooh, cool!
posted by Secretariat at 6:35 PM on March 2, 2019


Very cool.
posted by Fizz at 6:41 PM on March 2, 2019


I definitely want to visit. I love long term collaborative projects like this.

As a disabled person who takes longer to do a lot of things, I was really moved by the way the flexible, deadline-free project design would have made it easier for someone like me to participate. And I loved how the general congregation's excitement and encouragement carried the project along.
posted by congen at 6:45 PM on March 2, 2019 [6 favorites]


“I think of it like a cathedral.”

How utterly lovely.
posted by minervous at 6:55 PM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]


Pew pew pew!
I'll show myself out now.
posted by scalefree at 8:15 PM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]


Oh, this is such a fun community thing. How great. That video is really sweet.
posted by charmedimsure at 12:07 AM on March 3, 2019


What a cool project! Good for then for finishing it. The video is lovely--they're so excited!
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 1:32 AM on March 3, 2019


That’s amazing!

The church I went to as a kid had embroidered kneelers that I still remember. Some were just crosses in blue and gold with the embroiderer’s initials and date but there were memorial ones that had other images - Doves, flowers etc - and the memorial details.
posted by halcyonday at 2:36 AM on March 3, 2019 [1 favorite]


Old ladies. Is there anything they can't do?
posted by Paul Slade at 8:46 AM on March 3, 2019 [3 favorites]


Thank you for sharing this!! It was the bright point of my morning.
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 9:03 AM on March 3, 2019


(Oops, I thought this was Westminster Cathedral. Actually a church in Oregon, USA.)
posted by heatherlogan at 12:02 PM on March 3, 2019


(The pew cushions are actually for kneeling on during the portions of the service in which one prays [hence, they're referred to elsewhere in the article as "kneelers"]. You don't actually sit on them. But, minor note, lovely article.)
posted by praemunire at 8:08 AM on March 4, 2019 [1 favorite]


I love the Ramona ones! To a girl in Houston, Ramona's world seemed like another planet. It's still strange to me that those were real places.
posted by fiercecupcake at 9:53 AM on March 4, 2019


I loved the Beverly Cleary ones too! I read all her books when I was a kid, and especially liked the ones about Ramona and her circle of friends and family. When I visited a friend living in Portland and saw that there was a REAL Klickitat Street, I was so excited!
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:20 PM on March 4, 2019 [1 favorite]


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