Last year’s Parament Project to create the ELCA banner was a huge success! Thank you!
Over half of the congregations in Northern Illinois Synod participated by donating fabric, helping to design the banner, and piecing together the braids.
People from our synod donated so much fabric that there is still an abundance left over. It is time to do this again! This time, we will be creating new paraments for the Synod Assembly podiums.
The Pattern
I have adapted the All Roads quilt pattern for our paraments. It is made from an 8-inch block. When completed in our ELCA colors and turned in various directions, it creates a cascading border around a cross. Like the banner, this simple design will look beautiful from up close and from far away.
Why this odd-looking cross? Because it mimics the shape of our processional cross. That cross has been a staple at our synod assemblies for years. It is a unique shape that is a symbol of the Northern Illinois Synod.
The Bonus Patterns
These paraments will be reversible! Each back side will have a different design that can be used at other synod events. One side will use some fabric we have from synod visits to our companion synods.
The other parament will have a design using some of the batik fabric from our baptismal font. The design is original and is inspired by the Carpenter’s Star, a classic quilting design.
The Plan
Like last year, this project will also be a collaborative art project. Instead of you providing fabric to the synod at our Congregational Resourcing Event (CRE), I will be sharing that same fabric back with you.
I will cut and organize all of the remaining fabric into kits for the 8-inch blocks. At CRE, you or the quilters in your congregation are welcome to pick up a kit or two. Please complete all blocks and return them to the synod office by May 1st. Then, all the blocks will be sewn together and quilted before Synod Assembly in June.
Get Involved
If you would like to participate in this project, you can complete this form: Parament Project Take 2 Interest Form.
There are options to help sew the paraments together as well as other ways to donate and participate.
Thank you! I’m looking forward to completing another piece of collaborative art across our synod!
Pastor Julie Monnard
Assistant to the Bishop
