Even with the cold and the impending snow, crafters came together Jan. 12 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Sartell for the first craft night at the parish.
“I was in conversation with some women and we thought we should get together and craft,” said Melissa Fox, director of faith formation.
“When I’ve had this type of event at other parishes in the past, some women would quilt, scrapbook, make cards. One woman even came and spun her own wool. It turned into a core group of women that came together. It was a great support for everyone.”
Although this is the first time the craft night has been held in Sartell, there is hope that it will grow.
“I would think we would get together once a month and then have daylong crafting opportunities, too,” said Fox.
Kristine Bierscheid, who came to participate in the evening, hopes the event is repeated.
“It would be nice if more people would come. It’s nice to meet more people,” she said.
Bierscheid, who spent time putting together a scrapbook using Christmas cards and graduation invitations she received over the years, worked alongside her friend and fellow parishioner, Diane Offerdahl who was cross-stitching a Christmas ornament.
“I saw the opportunity in the parish email, and came to have focused time to work,” Offerdahl said. “This is a nice idea and I hope they will keep it up.”
The group is open to anybody who wants to attend.
“It’s an opportunity to connect with the community,” Fox said. “We will build relationships and connection, so when other opportunities arise in the parish, such as small group opportunities, we can use this core group as a start to that. Depending on what is going on in the parish community, we may work on service projects together.”
If attending in Sartell is not an option for you or crafting does not pique your interest, Fox encourages individuals to pull together a group in their own parish or Area Catholic Community.
“You never know what’s going to happen until you try it. Put it out there. I started with a hobby of mine and I’ve built many relationships because of it.”
For more information about upcoming craft nights, contact Melissa Fox at 320-252-8761 or mfox@stfrancissartell.org.
Pictured above: Kristine Bierscheid works on a scrapbooking project. (Photos by Dianne Towalski)