Advent Reflection 2007

The Chicago area was still recovering from the first ice storm on December 2, but 35 people gathered to welcome the season of Advent.  After lighting the Advent Candle, the small candles on each table were lighted.  The theme, Journey to Freedom, was carried out in the quilt patterns of the Underground Railroad, 1830 – 1865.  Roberta Fair shared the daily routine of the slave women in the plantation mansion and Barbara Mass, SLW shared the research on the quilt patterns and their meaning.  Participants were invited to color a patch with one of the patterns and to think about the freedoms they needed or that are needed in the world as the Advent season invites us to prepare for the coming of the Word, Jesus.  The colored patches were attached to a “large quilt” made of paper strips.  At the end of the prayer, all took home the patch of someone else to support that person in prayer during Advent.

Presenters of the Advent Reflection, Roberta Fair and Barbara Mass, SLW pause before the beginning of the prayer time.

Christine Baty, SLW feels the weight of the iron used by the slave women. Roberta demonstrated items used by the slave women.

Participants, Genevieve Shea, SLW and Jeannette Moquin-Bergeson, ASLW, select the quilt pattern they will color.

Mary Ann Zrust, SLW and Alyce Vesely, ASLW work the colors onto the patterns as they reflect on the freedoms needed this Advent.

Alice Farquhar places her quilt piece onto the "large quilt".

Rosanne Stump, SLW chooses a place for her patch on the "large quilt".

Completed Quilt

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Presenters of the Advent Reflection, Roberta Fair and Barbara Mass, SLW pause before the beginning of the prayer time.