Finished at Last! Ash Wednesday Vestments

Today is the beginning of the Lenten Season as we celebrate Ash Wednesday.  The past few weekends have been spent working on an Ecclesiastical Sewing Project of a Black Chalice Veil and Stole with this evening as the looming deadline.  And, I am relieved to announce the Ash Wednesday Vestment Project is finished! But once finished in the workroom, the next step always involves a bit of apprehension:  will others like the pieces?  Will they think the style is too “high church,” too fancy, or other things?

Ash Wednesday Altar Frontal and Chalice Veil

In making Ecclesiastical Vestments for the church, one always hopes the finished product will be enjoyed by others and will add to the service.  One cannot help wondering if others will like the end result, or be pleased. One certainly does not wish to offend.  Sometimes, making changes within a church takes a little time for parishioners to become accustomed to new and different ideas relating to church vestments and altar hangings.  For those familiar with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS), altar hangings such as this set are not the norm; and yet why not?  Many other church bodies use true Ecclesiastical Fabrics for their altar hangings and look upon a set such as this as being a familiar sight within the worship setting.  For the LC-MS, a set such as this is ………….. different and unfamiliar.

Following the completion of an Ecclesiastical Sewing Project, the things that matter the most to me are the following:  have I given the project my best efforts and done the best workmanship possible at this point in my skill level; have I learned something from the project; have my techniques improved; is there some knowledge, skill, or technique gained that can apply to future projects?  The other thing that matters most is the opinion of my Pastor.  If he is pleased and feels comfortable using the items, if they fit him well, and handle well, then the project is a success.

In looking back on this Ash Wednesday Stole and Chalice Veil Project, there have been a few things that I have learned, and I will share those a bit later, hoping they might help others as well.

Wishing you a very Blessed Lenten Season.

Solo Dei Gloria

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Thoughts of Lent

Passion Cross for Ash Wednesday

Liturgical Colors for the Church Year