Church, ward find charity is a common thread

Intermountain Catholic

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Vangie Garcia of the Sewing Angels and Kerry Martinez and Kristen Guzman, both of the 27th Ward, cut out material for bibs. In the background, Elder Tiisetso Motsamai, a missionary from South Africa, prepares to sew a baby blanket. See more photos on the Intermountain Catholic Facebook page.

CLINTON —With needle and thread, scissors and sewing machines, women – and a few men – from Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Layton and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 27th Ward in Clinton stitched bonds of friendship while they crafted items for expectant mother layettes to donate to hospitals in northern Utah.

In less than six hours, the 58 women and two LDS missionaries completed 57 bears, 41 bibs, 14 burp cloths, 14 bereavement dresses for stillborn babies, 30 blankets of different sizes and four pajama sets, according to Rebecca Nichols, who helped organize the event after talking with her neighbor, Pat Bergeron.

Bergeron is a member of the St. Rose of Lima Sewing Angels, which formed about nine years ago. Nichols, who is LDS, asked Bergeron if her ward could help the Sewing Angels with anything, and from that neighborly offer came the sewing bee on Jan. 21.

Nichols said the event was a great opportunity for people from the two faiths to mingle. "We don’t get to do that very often [even though] a lot of us live around each other."

Kristen Guzman, from the 27th Ward, said she participated because she thought it would be fun. "I personally think that it’s awesome that we can come together. It’s not about what your religion is; it’s about getting together and doing service and making a difference in other people’s lives."