Recently Kelly mentioned in another blogpost about loving our local congregation’s Tapestry groups. 💗 Several of you have been asking for more information on these women’s ministry groups, so I’m happy to bring you a guest post from my friend Rosemary McKnight, who is one of the coordinators of this program. Rosemary is such a continual encourager to all of us here at The Ruffled Mango, and we are thrilled to have her share all the details of our women’s ministry groups. We have a feeling that this post will get you excited to begin a Tapestry-type program in your own congregation!
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What is Tapestry? Tapestry is a women’s ministry whose purpose is to deepen relationships between women of all ages, deepen their faith through Bible study, learn to encourage and pray for one another, and create an environment where women feel comfortable asking for advice, sharing problems, and connecting with each other on a deeper level than just “foyer conversation.”
Some congregations call it Heartfelt, or Harmony, or Ruth and Naomi groups. Our congregation chose Tapestry because of Colossians 2:2, “that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is in Christ.” Tapestry represents the way we are like threads woven together to create something beautiful. We know we all have messy sides to our lives, just like the back of a tapestry is messy; however, we can encourage one another to make something beautiful out of our lives and our relationships.
How does it work? Women who want to participate are divided into groups of eight to ten women from different age groups, and various walks of life are represented in each group. The goal is to build relationships among these women. Each group has a leader who coordinates a meeting at least once a month, usually in someone’s home. Home settings tend to help people open up. The meeting involves a Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and food. This ministry is a springboard for women to seek out someone they can relate to and who may have been through some of the same struggles.
All groups study the same monthly lessons and follow the same guidelines, yet each group tends to take on its own personality. Some choose to meet more than once a month. Some create group texts and send a verse, devotional, or question almost daily. Some do fun outings together or do an act of service in addition to their Bible study.
It is a beautiful thing for women to pray for one another and see those prayers answered. Tapestry groups grow closer to each other as they grow closer to God. Women involved find themselves reaching out and encouraging each other in their group. They support one another in love.
Tapestry groups usually stay together for the school year. At the end of the school year, we organize a special dinner for ALL of the groups to meet and celebrate together.
When the new school year begins, new groups are organized so women can expand their relationships and get to know more ladies. We have usually added another group (or more) in January, when more ladies are interested in joining. Some groups (especially those who started late) choose to keep their same core group for another year – or at least give all members an option to stay with their group or move on to another one.
When I think of Tapestry, I think of Romans 12:9-10, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly (or “sisterly”) affection.”
This verse has certainly come to life through our Tapestry groups! When we are focused on God and His Word in community, sisterly affection is a natural byproduct of our women’s ministry groups.
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Rosemary McKnight is the wife of Gary, and they make their home in Henderson, TN. They have two sons, two daughters-in-love, and four grandchildren. She is a retired elementary teacher and continues to work as an interventionist at a local school. She loves the Bible, books, the Braves, and Bama football.
