Nestled in the heart of Hastings stands St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, a quiet but powerful beacon of love, faith, and acceptance. This historic congregation, incorporated in 1855 and meeting originally at a downtown tavern known as the Buckthorn, has long woven itself into the fabric of the community. These days, it’s doing that in an even more literal sense.
In a season typically marked by quiet introspection, soup suppers, and Bible studies, St. Luke’s has taken a bold step outward with a Lenten initiative called Weaving a Community of Hope. It’s more than just a church event, it’s an open-armed embrace of anyone and everyone seeking a space for peace, prayer, and healing.
“Lent is more than fish fries,” said Bronwyn Skov, one of the project’s visionaries and an enthusiastic force behind its implementation. “Traditionally, we gather to reflect and reconnect, but this year, we wanted something that expanded beyond our walls. We wanted to open the door wider.”
That door is quite literally open to all regardless of denomination, faith tradition, or belief. The centerpiece of the project is a loom, stationed in the church’s welcoming gathering space. Into its wooden frame, colorful strips of cloth are being woven—each one a prayer, a hope, a worry, or a celebration offered by someone in the community. These are not just pieces of fabric; they are tangible expressions of humanity, each inscribed with personal messages and laid lovingly into the tapestry.
Maxx Rose, the church secretary, came up with the name for the project during an early planning conversation. “Bronwyn mentioned bringing in her loom, and I just said, ‘What about weaving a community of hope?’ And it stuck,” Maxx recalled with a warm smile.
Since the project began, over 90 prayers have already been woven in. Some are joyful—birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations of love. Others are heavy grief over lost loved ones, cries for protection, silent pleas for peace. But no matter the message, every single one is treated with reverence.
“We don’t need to know who wrote it. That’s not the point,” Bronwyn explained. “What matters is that someone trusted us with that piece of themselves, and we take that seriously.”
The fabric strips, cut generously by volunteers like Lyn VanDesteeg, are roughly 5 to 6 inches wide and about 2 feet long. Some people write their messages on-site, while others send them in via email, Facebook, or through friends. The church has even received messages from California, South Carolina, Washington, D.C.—ripples of hope spreading far beyond Hastings.
“If someone can’t make it down here in person, that’s fine,” Bronwyn added. “We’ll write it for them. We’ll weave it in. They’re part of this, too.”
One of the more moving moments for the team came when they read a message: Please protect my family. No name, no details. Just a raw, vulnerable plea. “I found myself in tears,” Bronwyn said softly. “We all have those moments. And we all carry those burdens. This project gives people a way to release some of that.”
And it’s not just the anonymous messages that touch hearts. Longtime community members are being honored in the weaving, including Gordon Gadre, a beloved youth minister and mentor, whose name has already found a place in the threads. Birthdays of parishioners, names of godchildren, and even sorrows like the loss of a co-worker are woven in with love.
The plan is to bless the entire tapestry on Easter Sunday, a fitting culmination to a season of reflection and renewal. The final display location is still being determined—perhaps hung inside where a commemorative quilt now resides, or maybe even outside for a time, cascading down the historic brick walls like a waterfall of human spirit. They’ve even discussed weatherproofing it temporarily with a clear coating, though the concern over color changes remains.
Regardless of its final destination, the tapestry already serves its purpose. It is a living, breathing document of community.
“I hope it gets so long that we can hang it from the top of the building and let it stretch all the way down,” one volunteer said with a laugh, eyes shining at the thought.
What’s more incredible is the breadth of the community that’s showing up. Not just members of St. Luke’s. Not just Episcopalians. People of all walks are coming to participate. Some come with family, writing prayers together after dinner. Others drop off a strip with a note attached. Some come quietly, write silently, and leave without a word.
“It’s a radically inclusive welcome,” Bronwyn said. “This is open to believers, non-believers, people of different faiths. It’s about being together. About being human.”
That inclusivity extends far beyond just words on a wall. St. Luke’s practices what it preaches. “There are churches that say ‘all are welcome,’ but what they really mean is, ‘you’re welcome to come in, but you can’t get married here, or take communion here,’” said Maxx. “Here at St. Luke’s, we mean it. All are welcome. No exceptions.”
That commitment has drawn many to the church who may have felt left out or turned away elsewhere. Whether it’s a same-sex couple looking for acceptance, someone hurt by past religious experiences, or a spiritual seeker looking for a home, St. Luke’s offers not only a pew to sit in but a place to belong.
“Faith, at its core, should be about love,” Bronwyn said. “And love doesn’t come with conditions.”
As for the process of weaving itself, it may look intimidating to an outsider, but it’s intentionally simple enough that anyone can do it. The tools are laid out, the instructions are clear, and someone is always nearby to help. “We invite people to weave their own strip if they’d like. Some do. Some prefer we do it for them. Either way, their prayer is honored.”
The message of this project, more than anything, is that hope is something we can build together, one thread at a time. In a world that often feels divided and heavy, this loom of prayers stands as a beautiful reminder: when we show up for each other, when we share our joys and sorrows, and when we simply listen with open hearts, we create something stronger, something sacred.
The tapestry may never be finished—and maybe that’s the point. There will always be another name to add, another prayer to offer, another celebration to share. And as long as there are hearts willing to hope, St. Luke’s will be here, weaving it all together.
After all, love, peace, and acceptance aren’t just ideas to be talked about, they’re threads to be woven into the very soul of a community.

To participate or submit a prayer to be included in the tapestry, visit St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 615 Vermillion St. in Hastings or connect with them through their website ‘www.stlukesmn.org’ or Facebook page ‘St. Lukes Episcopal Church’. Confidential requests can also be sent via email ‘stlukeshastings@embarqmail.com’.