Prayers & Squares Quilting Ministry
It's not about the quilt, it's about the prayers.
Wrapped in Prayer
The Prayers and Squares Quilting Ministry at Tierrasanta Lutheran Church began in 1998, when Emily Mathison created the ministry as her Girl Scout Gold Award project. What began as a special service project grew into a lasting ministry of prayer, fellowship, and caring service at TLC.
The ministry is part of the larger Prayers & Squares tradition, whose purpose is to combine the gift of prayer with the gift of a hand-tied quilt. Prayers & Squares began in San Diego in 1992 and has since grown into a ministry with chapters around the world. Its guiding motto captures the heart of the ministry: “It’s not about the quilt; it’s all about the prayers.”
For more than 25 years, TLC's quilters have continued this tradition by creating quilts for people facing physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges, as well as quilts that support Lutheran World Relief, Project Linus, graduating students, and military patients. Today, the ministry continues to bring people together across generations and skill levels—not simply to make quilts, but to pray, serve, encourage, and share God's love with others.
A quilt is a tangible sign of God's love.
The quilts made by this ministry are more than blankets. They are a physical reminder to recipients that they are being remembered and prayed for.
When a quilt is dedicated, members tie knots into the quilt while praying for the person who will receive it. Those prayers continue beyond the dedication as members and the congregation keep recipients in prayer.
Quilting, Serving & Praying
Prayer Quilts
for people experiencing physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges
Lutheran World Relief
quilts supporting those in need around the world
Project Linus
quilts and blankets for children
Patriotic Quilts
quilts given to patients at Balboa Naval Hospital
High School Graduates
quilts celebrating graduates
Come Quilt With Us
TLC Fellowship Hall
1st & 3rd Saturday of each month
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
You don't have to be an experienced quilter to participate.
Everyone is welcome.
Participation is very flexible, and the ministry can find a way for anyone to help. No special skills are required, and on-the-job training is provided.
There Is a Place for You Here
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No age requirement. No quilting experience required. No onboarding required.
Whether you sew, organize supplies, prepare materials, help with quilts, or simply want to learn, there is a place for you.
Quilts, Quilts, Quilts!
The thriving quilt ministry at Tierrasanta Lutheran Church serves Prayers and Squares, the Linus Project, and the Balboa Naval Hospital. Learn more as you watch the video below.
What Is the Quilt Ministry at TLC?
Ginny Pence
May 30, 2024
TLC member Ginny Pence shares her thoughts about the Quilt ministry at Tierrasanta Lutheran Church.
Our Partnerships
Serving Beyond Our Walls
PROJECT LINUS
Several of the quilters make quilts for Project Linus, a National organization that gives quilts to children ages 0-18 who are hospitalized or in shelters. We meet the first Tuesday of each month at 9am in our fellowship Hall.
The Annual Challenge Quilt Project
One of the highlights each year is our fun Challenge Quilt project. Our supply cabinet is filled with many quilts from this project. During the year, the Prayers & Squares members are given an assignment, or “challenge." Sometimes we have a theme. For one of the challenges, members reached into a Beatles bag containing lyrics from various Beatles songs to be used as inspiration for their quilts. As we gathered months later for the big “reveal,” each song was played as the members presented their quilts and shared what they learned about the song. Another time, each member reached into a Frida Kahlo bag to pick a different artist (Monet, Van Gogh, etc.) that included pictures of their paintings for inspiration. The completed quilts were very creative, and the quilters shared interesting stories about the artists. As a group, we look forward to the yearly Challenge Quilt Project as a part of this meaningful Prayers & Squares ministry.
PRAYERS & SQUARES
Quilters in the congregation gather to make prayer quilts and quilts for high school seniors, members of the military and veterans.
We are now meeting in person, the first and third Saturday of each month. During this time we share the projects we've been working on. We continue in our motto "It's not about the quilt, it is all about the prayer.
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
Each year we normally complete 100-120 quilts for LWR in time for the Ingathering in October. This year Ingathering Sunday will be October 17th. We cut the Donated material is cut into 11” squares and kits of 48 squares are distributed to our quilters who assemble the tops. The quilts are large—60” x 80” per LWR guidelines. Typically we then gather as a group to layer and tie the quilts.
Since this is very simple sewing—just straight seams and the pieces are already cut—we are always looking for people who want to sew.
Sponsor a Prayer Quilt
Would you like to request a prayer quilt for a friend, family member, or someone going through a difficult time?
A prayer quilt is not something you purchase—it is a gift of love and prayer. There is no charge for the quilt.
How It Works:
1. Talk with the recipient.
Ask the person what they would like us to pray for. Their specific prayer needs will be shared with those who pray over the quilt.
2. Complete the Request Form.
Fill out the Prayers & Squares Request Form with the recipient's information, prayer needs, and the date the quilt is needed. Please allow 2–4 weeks for completion of the quilt.
3. Contact the Church Office.
Call the TLC Church Office and they will connect you with the appropriate Prayers & Squares coordinator. Together, you will select a quilt and arrange a date for its dedication.
4. Provide a photograph.
A photograph of the recipient is requested so that those tying the quilt can focus their prayers on the person receiving it.
5. Participate in the dedication.
Sponsors are asked to be present at both the 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. worship services on the dedication Sunday.
6. Help with the prayers.
After each worship service, the quilt is placed outside for members and visitors to tie knots and offer silent prayers for the recipient. Sponsors are encouraged to invite friends and family to participate.
7. Deliver the quilt.
Once the prayers and knots have been completed, the sponsor arranges to deliver the quilt to the recipient.
How the Prayers Are Tied
After worship, the quilt is placed outside where members of the congregation can participate in the prayer process. As each person ties a knot, they offer a silent prayer for the person who will receive the quilt.
TIERRASANTA LUTHERAN CHURCH
Sharing Christ’s Love,
Serving God’s Children,
Transforming Lives, and
Making Disciples
11240 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92124
Tel: (858) 560-8688
Email: info@tierrasantalutheran.org