Hi, Circle of Friends!  My name is Stacy Turley and I wanted to tell you about a service group that a friend and I started in February 2014.  We were connected by a mutual friend on staff at our church.  Our friend knew that both of us were BIG into knitting and crocheting, and we both wanted to help others through the gifts and talents that God gave us.  We met soon after hearing about each other.  And what can I say, over 7 years later we are dear friends and kindred spirits.  Her name is Deb.  

Deb and I began meeting regularly and dreaming of how we could create a ministry with a foundation focused on fiber arts.  Here are the main points of what we created:

• • • We called ourselves Graceful Hands Go Group.
    • We met twice a month.
    • We rotated our focus each quarter on a different group or non-profit to support with a different geographical location in order to raise awareness of the needs in our macro and micro communities.  For example, 1Q would focus on a  worldwide organization.  2Q would focus on inside the US.  3Q would focus on inside Indiana.  And 4Q would be within our church.
    • Each quarter we would invite a guest speaker to join our meeting from the organization we were supporting.  This would allow our members to connect personally with someone who would help distribute our handmade donations, answer questions, and raise awareness of the needs for that group.
    • We encouraged our members to stick with an organization that pulled at their heart-strings.  If God was speaking to them and drawing them into a group, then we wanted them to stick with it, volunteer, get involved and keep making creations for God’s kingdom.
    • If, at any time, someone wanted to move on with the group rotation, then they were free to jump back into what we were working on.
    • We prayed over each item as we made them as well.
  Graceful Hands Go Group is still meeting today.  We only meet about once a quarter now.  COVID slowed down our schedule and changed our focus.  We still knit, crochet and sew for charity, but we encourage our group members to seek out areas they are already passionate to serve.  We have a show-and-tell when we meet, as well as time for catching up and sharing our creations.  The experience has been amazing!  Our women who are involved with Graceful Hands Go Group are amazing!

• I look forward to hearing about your acts of service, not only to continue to raise awareness of needs around us but also to celebrate you and your involvement to share the love and message of Christ to this broken world.

• Hugs & blessings,
  Stacy Turley