Creating works of art alongside a group of like-minded peers naturally lends itself heart-to-heart conversations, often with amble opportunities for sharing personal stories and encouraging words in a comfortable setting.
With that goal in mind, a new ministry — Gifts with Grace — was started this year by a group of friends and area businesswomen to offer a wellspring of life and an opportunity for healing for women who have faced trauma in a variety of forms.
The small group setting that meets twice a week at Union Station offers the participants with the chance to work with their hands to make beautifully-designed jewelry, along with time for Bible study, education and mentorship through the non-profit organization.
Women currently involved in the court system also can receive credit for their participation in the sessions. Referrals are offered to Gifts with Grace from a number of other area agencies as well.
City resident Nita Wilkinson, who also serves as the Green Hills Community director of strategic partnership, said the idea for this ministry began after she attended a writing conference in North Carolina and learned about a Fashion & Compassion, a non-profit organization with a similar mission of coming alongside formerly vulnerable women to help them create of handcrafted accessories for sale.
After being inspired during the conference, Wilkinson said she approached some of her friends and fellow church members about beginning a ministry in Logan County as an outreach to help women overcome trauma experienced as a result of addiction, incarceration, extreme poverty, abuse or human trafficking.
“It has been amazing how each of the members involved in this group has given of their time, talent and treasure to get where we are today,” board member Wilkinson said while sitting with Board President Shelly Ginter at the Union Station location, where a former classroom has been transformed into a cozy atmosphere with couches for conversations and Bible study, and countertops and tables for creating jewelry.
“We have individuals who are very creative and have been instrumental in designing our jewelry and catalog, and others skilled in organization and keeping everything running smoothly. Another member of our board was able to help us obtain a 501c3 non-profit status within several days.”
Ginter said being involved with Gifts with Grace has been amazing to see “how each of us stepped up to fulfill different roles; it has been a lot of fun seeing it all come together.”
She also related that because of the COVID-19 health crisis this year, there was a delay in being able to host the small group gatherings at Union Station, 613 Hamilton St., after they moved in during the springtime. However, now Gifts with Grace has been able to meet regularly during the last month, with the open sessions offered from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, along with other flexible hours that can be added to suit schedules.
“Now that the ministry is bringing women in, it is so neat to see the conversation that flows as we create together,” the board president said. “Since we are in the early stages of meeting, we are really looking forward to the relationships that will grow and mentorships that can happen through the program as gather each week.”
“Women who have been through trauma are being seen — and they are being loved, redeemed and we hope that they find peace. They are learning that ‘God has got me,’” Wilkinson said.
Participants in the program earn a small stipend for helping to create the jewelry, which has been offered for sale at a number of local craft shows during the past month.
In addition, the products also are available for sale at the organization’s website, www.giftswithgrace.org. Earrings and bracelets can be viewed by clicking the “Shop Our Products” tab and by downloading the catalog. All purchased items ship for free to any location in the U.S.
Ginter noted that all of the jewelry incorporates high-quality pieces featuring with natural gemstones, seed beads from the Czech Republic, along with 14-carrot filled gold, sterling silver and stainless steel, all from fair trade vendors.
The specially designed jewelry created with the help of design chair Alonna Watkins each have their own names based upon the various gems incorporated, such as the “All is Well” bracelet that features rhodonite, symbolizing relationship healing; and garnet, symbolizing service to others.
The bracelet line includes the Simple Truth bracelets that are monochromatic with accents; Trinity Wraps that coil several times around the wrist; and Morse Code bracelets that each spell out a “hidden message” with the colored beads — from Believe to Grace, Love, Saved and Trust.
Gifts with Grace also is working on developing a necklace line and is considering a “soft line” of totes, scarves and etc., and other opportunities for women to express their creativity through mediums such as canvas paintings, Ginter said.
Fellow board members include Bobbie Trittschuh, vice president; Dianne Hickey, secretary/treasurer; and Ashley Spence, director of client affairs. Other individuals who were instrumental in start of the group included Marilyn Smith, Staci McCully and Kim Yoder, Wilkinson and Ginter related.
A number of volunteer opportunities also are available through the ministry, from serving as a mentor to leading Bible studies, tutoring for GED tests, offering transportation support, job acquisition assistance, financial literacy education etc. Interested individuals can e-mail info.
Gifts with Grace also can be found on Facebook, with updates regarding participation at upcoming craft shows and other upcoming activities.