Quilts for humanity
"There̢۪s so much color. It̢۪s a powerful image of unity and diversity and love overcoming hate."
After break-ins, thefts and shattered glass in May and June – and an assault on the church facilities manager, who was not injured seriously – the string of petty crimes at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, outside the nation’s capital in Fairfax, Virginia, took an unexpected, terrible turn.
Near the end of June, one or more intruders attacked the sanctuary, writing swastikas, anti-black and -Semitic slurs, and “You’re all going to hell” on the walls behind the pulpit, breaking more glass, and slicing deep gashes into the upholstery of every seat.
The Rev. Dan Roschke ’00, MDiv, saw the display of hatred at his new church right after his move from San Diego with Heather (Embree ’97) Roschke and their two children. The words could not be unseen. At least one member of the congregation was too terrified to return for a time. At least one family couldn’t explain the events to their children and also stayed away. Everyone wondered what might come next.
“Hatred is real, and it’s closer to us than we’d like to or always acknowledge,” said the seventh-generation pastor, a biology graduate who intended to become a doctor before deciding on Lutheran seminary.
As a white person, said Roschke, “I can’t ever fully know exactly what that must feel like, to be targeted in that way. It certainly has been powerful and eye-opening for us here as a community.”
As word of the crime spread, the church was overwhelmed with support and cards from neighbors who had also been targeted since 2016, including the Jewish community center next door, Jewish and Muslim leaders, and a United Church of Christ youth group. Roschke responded to the many offers of help with an idea: “How about sending us some quilts, so we can cover the pews instead of having to look at these horrible gashes?”
The quilts began to arrive in many colors and shapes. There were new quilts, tattered quilts with only one use left in them, and even a set of long quilts specially manufactured to cover church pews. Quilts also hang on the walls that were defaced.
“Someone described the quilts as like receiving a giant hug, and I feel that too,” Roschke said. “There’s so much color. It’s a powerful image of unity and diversity and love overcoming hate.”
Once the pews can be repaired, the quilts in good condition will be donated to people in need. “It’s going to be sad to see them go.”
Since the defacing of the sanctuary, Lutheran Social Services has set up its regional office to support immigrants and refugees inside the church building.