by Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Exploration
Hope : to cherish a desire with anticipation : to want something to happen or be true.
There are times when things feel bleak, and the proverbial “light” at the end of the tunnel just isn’t showing up. I have had to face situations which feel hopeless. We all have. I can attest to the practices which always ignite me, and that’s art, crafting, making, and creating.
Whether it be crafting a brilliant (😁) plan, a quilt design, a pattern for a print, or collecting materials for a collage, a lesson plan, or an art class: the hope that it brings is healing for me.
I know that there comes a time in our lives when the well of hopeful ideas runs dry. The troubles in the world around us can keep our hopes locked up like a door missing it key. Yet lately, I’ve been astounded at what I see building around me: people are crafting hope.
Ana Gregory collected items all year in anticipation of building beautiful baskets to raffle at our holiday craft fair. She created a joyful opportunity for her mother and daughter to work with her, curating and assembling. The desire: to create something beautiful to benefit our church’s fundraising event. Giving helps us feel purpose, community, and hope.
The folks involved with our native gardens are sustained with hopeful anticipation of bloom and growth, both physically and metaphorically. The craft of gardening is nurturing.
I watched Rachel Keyo, Sheri Linn, Josh Belden, and Nancy Baffa crafting the decorations for the upcoming “ Turn Up the Lights” Community Gala Fundraiser for UUCW. Again, the hope of a sparkling setting for the event gave them the drive to create.
And the fondest example I’ve seen of crafting hope is happening nearby with Martha Krenshaw and the knitters and crocheters at The Willows Retirement Community. All year the participants knit scarves and hats with the cherished desire to give warmth to those in need. I’ve enjoyed collaborating with Martha, picking up the knitted items and arranging events for our Youth Group and Coming of Age teens to distribute them.
Our “park drop” events are looked forward to by the teens. They decorate the trees, benches, and gates with the items which were created with love and hope for warmth .
The Willow’s fiber enthusiasts thank us for the opportunity to do this ! They thank us. It seems ironic – but it’s not. Creative pursuits give us purpose and healing and hope- they are thankful for that.
I hope that you can think of something. A hobby you once loved, a group that you’d like to join, a plant that you want to see growing in your garden and step into the possibility of expanded hope. Craft a plan for yourself, a self-care exercise. Take a college course, learn to sew, decorate cookies, plan an event that will help nurture others’ hope.
Hope is there to take for all of us. Let’s grab it and introduce it to another person who could use some.
“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul-
And sings the words without the tune-
And never stops at all.
Emily Dickenson
Check out our first 2025 Park Drop Photos: Thank you to Cori Henry, Kris Billiar, and Andrew Wilkins and the high school Youth Group for spreading hope in City Hall Plaza. And again, thanks to Martha Krenshaw and the knitters at The Willows for their flying knitting needles and crochet hooks and yarn to blanket the city of Worcester in warmth. We’ll be heading out for round two park drop in Elm park in January with the Coming of Age class and their mentors.
