The Ministry of Tissues and Tissue Covers . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV 



Package of tissues

Before I went to Friends World Committee of Consultation World Plenary in Pisac, Peru in January of 2016 I decided that I wanted to make something to take with me that I could give to Friends I met at the Plenary. Nothing big, just a little something that they could take home with them.

I had seen several patterns for making small fabric covers for the travel sized tissues and I thought that would be perfect . . . OK, maybe not so much for the gentlemen, but the ladies could use them. I made about 80 or so from many different fabrics and even sewed a label inside with my name, Monthly Meeting, Yearly Meeting and FWCC World Plenary, Pisac, Peru 2016 on them.



 

A sampling of tissue covers

The tissue covers and tissues were a big hit! There were several Friends, from around the world that I knew were going to be there that I wanted to give one to, the rest - given out randomly to Friends that touched me in some way - Friends in my Home Group, Friends I had conversations with that I found very deep and touching, Friends that I passed and just wanted to share with. 



One of those new Friends that I met in Pisac, Peru who came from England has become a really good F/friend of mine. We connected on Facebook and chat both publically and privately there. When she found out that I would be coming to England this summer for YMG (Yearly Meeting Gathering) she said I needed to bring tissues and covers with me. OK, easy enough.



Gallon bag of 80 tissue covers

I made time during the year to stop and cut out fabric, stitch the covers, make labels with my name, Monthly Meeting, Yearly Meeting and YMG 2017 on them and sewed them in the seams. I made around 80 covers and went to the store and purchased the tissues to go inside.

I've been at YMG for five days now and I find that I have passed out between 30-40 tissues and covers to Friends. Friends I've only known through Facebook or the Quaker Alphabet Blog, a Friend I met this summer whilst taking an online course through Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre and Friends that I've met this week and just had a conversation with.

The first three recipients at YMG were the Clerks. Sunday evening after the business session had ended, I made my way down to the Clerk's table where the Clerk and the two assistant Clerks were standing. I put my tote on the table and took out three packages of tissues, handing one to each of the Clerks . . . the Clerk made a comment about expecting more tears, which I didn't quite understand. I had received the email from the YMG the day before I left to come across the Pond which encouraged Friends to bring something to YMG to share/give to other Friends. I explained that I did not make these after receiving the email that they had already been made and packed. Each Clerk was then able to pick-out the cover they'd like to have.

The Friends in the group I'm with this week got tissues and covers. Friends that have blessed me with conversations have received them. Friends I've seen as I've walked from here to there have received them. Friends I've been in workshops with have also received tissues and covers. This evening, several young Friends also received packages of tissues and covers . . . it just seemed like the thing to do!

Tissues in a cover

I attended a workshop Tuesday afternoon, put on by one of the Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre tutors on ministry. On the way back to my room and dinner I stopped at the corner, where two Friends were talking - one from England and one from Bolivia . . . I handed them and another Friend tissues and then offered them tissue covers for them.

As I said earlier, there is no rhyme or reason as to who choose to give the tissues and tissue covers to. Sometimes I choose Friends that I know or have known . . . but most of the time it's just random - call it a random act of kindness if you will . . . this evening I've seen it as a ministry. YIKES!!!! There I go using that "m" word again!

The faces on the Friends that I share the tissues and covers with are priceless, as I hand them the package of tissues first and then dig the bag of covers out of my tote. This brings joy to my heart!

So, last year Friends from around the world received the gift of a small package of tissues and a tissue cover from me . . . this year it's Friends at YMG in England - British Friends, Scottish Friends, a Bolivian Friend, a Friend from New Zealand, a Friend from Canada, a mother & her daughter from Germany, a Friend from Finland and some American Friends.

I traveled to England in part not to merely attend YMG as a visitor, but to participate as fully as I could . . .

I came to YMG to learn . . .

I came to YMG to share with Friends . . .

I've been blessed by Friends here this week . . .

Who's next????

How does this ministry touch those who are on the receiving end????

Where will this ministry go next?????