In the fall of 2021 St. Peter’s welcomed Peace by Peace Quilters as a ministry of support and comfort to people in need. Similar to Heavenly Hugs, the group creates quilts to give to individuals going through life-changing illnesses, treatments, surgeries, and natural disasters. They have also been called upon to make other items for servicemen overseas, and masks during the pandemic (over 5000!). They also create small, 4-inch square “Pocket Prayers” that can be put in your purse, pocket, or backpack. These squares allow the holder to “rub away your cares.” All the items created are blessed before they are distributed and are available by request. It is rare not to be able to fulfill requests, and in such circumstances the group holds the person in need in prayers.
Since its inception in 2007, the group has completed more than 420 projects including the following:
- 882 pocket prayers, given to anyone needing “discreet” comfort
- 256 pillowcases for those in shelters/hospitals
- 232 Christmas stockings for troops in Iraq/Afghanistan (with essentials)
- 472 individual blocks sent to specific organizations to put into quilts
- 5,063 face masks (counted as one project)
- 393 quilts with many more in progress.
In 2022 the group undertook a project to support “Quilts for Survivors,” in Canada. The effort was a response to news of the treatment and experience of First Nation, Indigenous survivors of the Indian residential schools in Canada. It is the hope of the creator of this project that the quilts will honor and respect the survivors and provide a measure of comfort and healing as they experience being “wrapped in love.”
In 2025 our group is doing a special project for kids called “Comfort Critters,” where we wrap small stuffed animals in equally small quilts that we’ve made. After they are blessed they are individually bagged and donated to several local police and fire departments. The first responders distribute the Critters to young children in stressful situations (displacement, domestic issues, auto accidents, fires, etc), helping first responders connect with people in compassionate ways. Currently, 10 police stations and 2 fire departments are collaborating with us. Additionally, some Critters have also gone to the pediatric oncology dept of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and to kids facing homelessness (a 4th grade project in Manchester).
In addition to the quilts made by our group, we’ve also had some quilts and critters donated from quilters from Virginia, Alabama, and California! One of our members quilts from home, a means of therapeutic renewal as she is a caretaker for her terminally-ill husband.
As of August 2025 we have made/distributed close to 300 quilts/critters, and we will continue making and distributing them as long as there are places for them to go. We are grateful to all those who have helped this effort through their donations and support.
The quilters meet at St Peter’s in the parish hall once a month on Saturdays (generally the first Saturday), from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M. Anyone is invited to join the group, or just to stop by to see what they do. The group has a Facebook page and a blog (peacebypiecequilters.blogspot.com).
