Today is the beginning of the Lenten Season as we celebrate Ash Wednesday. The past few weekends have been spent working on an Ecclesiastical Sewing Project of a Black Chalice Veil and Stole with this evening as the looming deadline. And, I am relieved to announce the Ash Wednesday Vestment Project is finished! But once finished in the workroom, the next step always involves a bit of apprehension: will others like the pieces? Will they think the style is too “high church,” too fancy, or any other number of things?
Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church Baxter, MN
In making Ecclesiastical Vestments for the church, one always hopes the finished product will be enjoyed by others, and that it will add to the service. One cannot but help wondering if others will like the end result, or be pleased. One certainly does not wish to offend. Sometimes, making change within a church takes a little time for parishioners to become accustomed to new and different ideas relating to church vestments and altar hangings. For those familiar with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS), altar hangings such as this set are not the norm; and yet why not? There are many other church bodies that use the true Ecclesiastical Fabrics for their altar hangings, and look upon a set such as this as being a familiar sight within the worship setting. For the LC-MS, a set such as this is ………….. different and unfamiliar.
Following the completion of an Ecclesiastical Sewing Project, the things that matter the most to me are the following: have I given the project my best efforts and done the best workmanship possible at this point in my skill level; have I learned something from the project; have my techniques improved; is there some knowledge, skill, or technique gained that can applied to future projects? The other thing that matters most is the opinion of my Pastor. If he is pleased and feels comfortable using the items, if they fit him well, handle well, then the project is a success.
In looking back on this Ash Wednesday Stole and Chalice Veil Project, there have bee a few things that I have learned, and I will share those a bit later, hoping they might help others as well.
Wishing you a very Blessed Lenten Season.
Solo Dei Gloria
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Filed under: Altar Frontal, Ash Wednesday, Ash Wednesday Vestments, Black Vestments, Ecclesiastical Sewing Tagged: Altar Frontal, Ash Wednesday, Ash Wednesday Stole, Ash Wednesday Vestments, Black Vestments, Chalice veil, Ecclesaistcal Sewing Project, Ecclesiastical Sewing, Lenten Season, Luther Church Missouri Synod, Lutheraon CHurch-Missouri Synod, Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church Baxter MN
