Thank you for helping create ‘Worship Boxes” for the Minnesota Conference Annual Meeting, June 10-12. Each table at Annual Meeting will have a ‘Worship Box’ which will be used for each of the three worship services during the Annual Meeting.

 

Each ‘Worship Box’ will be a little different from the others as it is our desire to create ‘green/sustainable’ boxes, rather than having them all exactly the same. We encourage you to collect the items needed for each box from donations from congregation members, or purchases from thrift stores or garage sales. Do not plan to get the items back. Fabrics will be crafted into quilts for shelters and other items donated. Do not include items you need to get back.
The items you will need to create each ‘Worship Box’ are:

a) A box.
An oversize shoe box will do nicely. In the photo is a file box. The box should be about 8” by 12” and 4” high. Anything close to this will do nicely. The box should have a cover that is easy to open to access the items in the box, as well as to stay closed to protect the items during moving the box.

b) Newspaper or newsprint.
This is to wrap the box and the cover in newspaper or newsprint. Be creative in which pages of the paper you use. Wrap the box carefully using several layers of paper so there is less likelihood of the paper tearing during transport. The box should look like a newsprint wrapped gift when finished.

c) Fabric. 1 yard of red fabric. 1 yard of green fabric.
Ideally the fabric should be 100% cotton. It is our plan to use the fabrics after Annual Meeting to create quilts for a Homeless Women’s shelter.

If the fabrics are not 100% cotton, they will be donated to the Mn. Textile Center. It is not necessary for the fabric to be square, but trim the white of printed salvages off carefully. Do not hem the fabrics – only trim any loose threads. Press the fabric and carefully fold it to fit into the box.

d) A 1 gallon size zipper bag.
This bag will be used to put the used communion ware following the Friday evening worship service.

e) A wine glass.
Any simple style of stemmed wine glass will be fine.

f) A small plate.
Any simple style of luncheon place will work.

g) A votive candle holder and votive candle.
The holder should be clear or translucent and tall enough that the candle flame is below the surface of the votive holder. You may use a votive candle of tea lights. If you use tea lights, please include 3 of them.

h) Matches.
The small stick matches now come with a sustainable forestry designation. You will need one box.

1. Wrap the cover of the box carefully using 2 to 3 layers of newspaper.

2. Wrap the bottom of the box as if it were a gift. Use several layers of newspaper also to avoid the possibility of the paper tearing during transport.

3. The wrapped box.

 

4.  Prepare the fabric.  Usually 1 yard of fabric will be something like 36” by 45” or 54” .  It is not necessary to make the fabric square.  If you are using fabric remnants, then the fabric should be at least 36” by 36”.   Do not hem the fabric. Trim any white or solid selvages or loose threads.  100% cotton is ideal, but other fabric blends can be used.    You will need one piece of green fabric and one of red.  The fabrics may be any print of green or red that would be appropriate for Ordinary Time and Pentecost.

5.  The green fabric, with the red folded.

6. These are all the items before arranging them.

7.  Place one piece of folded fabric into the box.  Sandwich the plate between the fabrics.  Place the items in the box in such a way that they do not easily roll and bump into one another.  Use the fabric if you can without crushing it to buffer the other items. 

8. Add the goblet, plate, matches, zipper bag, candle holder and votive candle.  

9.  The finished box