Disaster Relief Quilting Schedule

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

You can reach out to people in their time of greatest need with a strong message of hope — you are not alone.  Join us as we assemble simple quilts.

2014-01-20-student-participating-in-mlk-quilting-at-dartmouth-campus-ministry-photo No experience or equipment is needed. Volunteers stay as long as they like – an hour, two, or more.  Quilting takes place at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 5 Summer Street in Hanover (on-site parking).

We invite you to join us as your schedule allows.

disaster-relief-quilting-our-savior-lutheran-church-0620If you have any questions, contact the church office by email or give us a call, (603) 643-3703. You can read a brief history of our Relief Quilting here.
If you aren’t sure how to find us, click here for directions.

We gather during the academic year, typically twice each month.  We enjoy the gift of community as we turn squares of fabric into simple quilts to bring warmth and love to many in need around the globe. We also assemble simple bags for School Kits.  Lutheran World Relief Farmer’s Market coffee and tea are provided.  Bring a brown bag lunch if you wish.

2025-2026 Schedule

We gather from 9 a.m.—1 p.m.   Stay as long as you like – an hour, two, or more.

2025

Thursday, September 4 and 18

Thursdays, October 2 and 16

Thursdays, November 6 and 20

Thursday, December 4 and 18

2026   

Thursdays, January 8 and 22

 Thursdays, February 5 and 19

Thursdays, March 5 and 19

Thursdays, April 2 and 16

Thursdays, May 7 and 21

If you would like to be added to our quilting email list, please email the church office.

Bread for the World Offering of Letters – An Invitation from Paul Manganiello

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

On Sunday, March 3, 2024, Paul Manganiello spoke during worship and invited participation in this year’s Bread for the World Offering of Letters.

Sunday was the kick-off of our annual Bread for the World (BFW) Offering of Letters (OofL)! OSLC is a Covenant Church with BFW, an ecumenical advocacy movement founded by the New York City Lutheran pastor Art Simon in the 70’s. This year’s OofL relates to the Federal Farm Bill.

The Farm Bill is usually re-authorized every 5 years. It was to be finalized in 2023, but a new Bill has not been formally enacted, so the 2018 Bill is being extended until an updated Bill is completed. The Farm Bill impacts every one of us in the US, anyone who sells, buys, or eats food. It also impacts those facing hunger internationally.

The Farm Bill covers specific areas of interest called chapters. The 4 major chapters include: 1st nutrition, 2nd crop insurance, 3rd commodities, and 4th conservation.

80% of the projected budget spending involves nutritional programs such as: SNAP (the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program); the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program; The Senior’s Farmer’s Market Nutritional Programs; The Community Food Projects; and the Gus Schumacker Nutritional Program (GusNIP).

SNAP supplies nutritional assistance to millions of Americans serving more than 40M individuals. It is the most effective tool to reduce hunger insecurity; GusNIP enhances SNAP providing benefits to purchase fruits and vegetables.

BFW is advocating for measures that will not only enhance nutrition but also assure equity and sustainability in the US and around the world.

Usually, we hold our Offering of Letters after the Easter Season, but this year we were encouraged to do it sooner. Lent is really a perfect opportunity to advocate for those who may not be able to advocate for themselves. All too often the season of lent becomes a “self-improvement project” giving up chocolate, alcohol, or some other vice. We might want to reconsider, rather than taking a negative approach, doing something positive for someone else. The simple act of writing to our elected officials, encouraging them to bring about public policy to enhance a sustainable, equitable Farm Bill will benefit all of us.

Because of delays in mail getting to our legislators, due to security screening, they are suggesting that they be sent electronically. All the information can be found here.

Also, please email me or Wendy when you have sent your letters so we can contact the national BFW office in DC.

Paul Manganiello

Opportunities to Put Your Faith in Action

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

Sign up to Volunteer at Cover – Outdoor Projects Every Week!  The COVER Home Repair program relies on the participation of community volunteers like you. By lending a hand with home improvement projects, you can help greatly improve the quality of life for local families, the elderly, and the mobility challenged.  It’s a great opportunity to learn new skills.  View volunteer opportunities and sign up here!

Advocate for Others: As members of the ELCA, we believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. God uses our hands, through our direct service work and our voices, through our advocacy efforts, to restore and reconcile our world. Through faithful advocacy, the ELCA lives out our Lutheran belief that governments can help advance the common good. Get involved by visiting the ELCA Advocacy Action Center.

Knit or Crochet Hats for Seafarers International House: Are you looking for a knit or crochet project that will touch the lives of a seafarer or immigrant? Here is a tangible way to show Christ’s love to someone. Seafarers International House (SIH) is the Lutheran response to the urgent needs of vulnerable seafarers and immigrants. This is the year of SIH’s 150th anniversary, celebrating fifteen decades of uninterrupted services to over 2 million seafarers and immigrants in New York City and beyond! SIH is not a place, but rather a service to people on the way. Learn more here.  Chaplain Ruth Setaro at SIH when emailed about the need for knitted hats, wrote: “YES, YES, YES we love to get knitted hats. I actually give them out all year as even in the summer it can get cold out on the sea.”  Use a pattern from their SIH website or a favorite pattern such as the 1898 Hat. Use any yarn or color (but preferrably not pink). Wendy Manganiello will collect the finished hats periodically and mail them to SIH. Contact Wendy or the church office if you have any questions.

Donate Items for the Food Shelf at the Upper Valley Haven:  You can learn more about the Haven here.  You may bring donations directly to the Haven or bring them to worship on Sunday and we’ll make sure they get there. Pick up a printed list of food shelf needs at church, or view it below.


2023 Bread for the World Offering of Letters

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

Below is the text of a talk delivered by Paul Manganiello during worship on May 14, 2023. Visit bread.org/farmbill to start the BFW electronic letter which you can personalize. It is simple and quick. When you do contact your legislators, please let Paul Manganiello, Wendy Manganiello, or the church office know so that we can contact BFW’s Washington office. 

Good morning! For our visitors and new members, my name is Paul Manganiello, I am a member of OSLC and am on the Social Ministry Committee. Welcome to our annual Bread for the World (BFW) Offering of letters! OSLC is a Covenant Church with BFW, an ecumenical advocacy movement founded by the New York City Lutheran pastor Art Simon in the 70’s.  

In working for social justice, religious communities need to not only encourage personal acts of charity such as volunteering or financially supporting our non-profit charitable organizations but also work for justice to address the root causes which perpetuate generational poverty, such as the wealth gap; inadequate educational opportunities and job skills; unsafe “ghettoized” communities; etc. 

BFW helps us to speak up and speak out to support those who suffer from systemic poverty. 

Continue reading 2023 Bread for the World Offering of Letters

Amnesty International Write for Rights 2022

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

Write for Rights is Amnesty International’s largest annual Human Rights campaign, held throughout December to mark International Human Rights Day on December 10th.   During this season of Advent and throughout the year, many people wait in despair and without hope, often unjustly imprisoned.  These people are Prisoners of Conscience.  Jesus was a Prisoner of Conscience as he so often spoke out for Human Rights.  As people of God, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to be a voice for those who have no voice by writing letters on their behalf.  Through the power of collective action, these letters convince government officials to free people unjustly imprisoned and to end other abuses.   For the past 12 years, during the Advent Season, our Social Ministry Committee has sponsored a letter-writing campaign for members of the congregation to write letters on behalf of, and personally to prisoners of conscience.   These are letters of mercy (solidarity to the individual) and justice (to government officials for the release of the person).

To those who picked up a packet, thank you!  Wendy Manganiello will have more letter packets to share on Sunday, December 11.  If you have questions or would like copies, please contact Wendy. 

Thank you for taking your time during Advent to write and send these letters.  They do make a difference!

Hope for the Holidays

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

This is an easy and wonderful opportunity to involve children (and even adults) in caring for others. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) offers a program called “Hope for the Holidays.” The goal is to bring hope and light to thousands of immigrant children in the US. The project is to make homemade cards to be distributed at migrant detention centers across the country and at shelters along the border, reminding the families, especially their children, that they are not forgotten this holiday season. Either you can mail them yourself or bring them to church by November 27 and Wendy Manganiello will collect and mail them. The children will be making cards during Kid’s Club on Sunday, November 20.

Here are the steps and the link for further information.

Step 1:
Make a card and write a message of hope and encouragement in English or Spanish. Draw a picture, or share a poem or just write words of hope. Sign the card with your first name, city and state. DO NOT put cards into individual envelopes.

Step 2:
Bring the cards to church no later than Sunday, November 27

or

Add a note that these cards are from Our Savior Lutheran Church, Hanover, NH 03755. Then, Mail the cards in a larger envelope to: First English Lutheran Church, 3807 N Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218.

You can find more information about LIRS “Hope for the Holidays,” here. If you have any questions, please speak to Wendy Manganiello.