The Advent Candle

One of my fondest memories from my childhood is family worship around the Advent wreath (thanks Mom!) Each Sunday in Advent we'd light the candles, read scripture, sing, and sometimes even do a craft. The rhythm of this ritual was carried into my family when I became a parent. 


It's enriching to learn of other family's traditions. I recently heard a variation of the candle tradition... You will need a tall candle. Mark it with 24 short lines from top to bottom. Each day during Advent find a few quiet moments with your family when you can light the candle and let it burn from one notch to the next, read an Advent thought or piece of scripture for the day, and say a prayer together. This quiet time as a family would be a lovely counterpoint to getting swept up in the extravaganza that society has turned the birth in the stable into.


This photo is of my children from nine years ago. It seems like yesterday to me. I can't believe how fast the years have gone! . It's times like simple, family worship during this season of preparation that help me slow down and stay focused. What are some of your traditions?

St. Andrew

St. Andrew's Day is celebrated by many on November 30th. We're inspired by Andrew and have created a stole that helps tell his story so we may learn from his example. A few facts about Andrew:

• he was one of the Twelve Apostles and a brother of Simon Peter. He was a fisherman by trade, who lived in Galilee
• The original fisher of men (Mt. 4:18-20) Andrew made no excuses--he just followed immediately. 
• Andrew accepted John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus and immdediately went to tell his brother AND he was eager to introduce others to Jesus.

A seventh century church tradition tells that Andrew is believed to have died on a diagonally transversed cross, which the Romans sometimes used for executions. The cross St. Andrew was crucified on has been adopted as the national flag of Scotland. The blue that is typically associated with Andrew stands for the sky.


Andrew is one of those that make me think of my actions. Do I follow immediately or do I have a list to get through before I do for Christ? Do I actually take others to see Jesus? 


Carrot Top Studio's stoles representing saints and celebrating special days can be found here.

Christ the King

Pietro Lorenzeti, Christ Before Pilate

"...for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth." Jesus, in John 18:37b


We celebrate Christ the King this coming Sunday and this passage from the book of John and the  artwork by Pietro Lorenzetti are most appropriate to examine at this time. First, a look at the art. The artist was Italian and the painting was completed at the onset of the Renaissance. 

• what reaction do you have to the soldiers by the way they are dressed?
• what emotion is the Jewish leader depicting?
• Pilate is seen nervously twisting a tassel on his mantle. What does this say about his thoughts and actions?
• Looking at Jesus' posture and gaze what does this articulate about this moment?

Secondly, I am not a theologian but I am drawn to this bit of scripture and I will share a snippet of my thoughts. Pilate seems to recognize the truth when Jesus tells him that He is a king. But Pilate is also an example of one that choses to ignore it. He was willing to please both sides. Preparing for Christ the King focused on worship this Sunday makes me more conscious of whether I move through my days following the truth or playing both sides. This is a great example of how I appreciate cycling through the Church year calendar for these special days and seasons to be a reminder of the lessons I need to continually hear and learn from. And may it be also with you!

A Tribute to Dorcas (and Button Day)

Today, November 16th is officially recognized  as "Button Day." It's not because it's cold outside and you need to button up nor is it an opportunity to tell someone to button up because they talk too much. It's a tribute to that small disk or knob that you use to close your garments. The button is at least 3000 years old and was originally just used for decoration. Intrigued for more information? You might like to read about the National Button Society.


Learning these bits of trivia has led us to the story of Dorcas (also known as Tabitha) and the need to design a ministry stole with buttons on it! This green stole is perfect for remembering the work of those that sew for the needy the way Dorcas did.  Acts 9:32-43 teaches us that Dorcas made an enormous impact upon her community by sewing for and helping the poor.  There's no way Dorcas could "push our buttons" other than to motivate us to focus on the gifts we've been given and figure out how to best use them to further the kingdom.


Find this stole and other stoles recalling saints and special days here on the Carrot Top Studio website.

Cleaning For Advent and Christmas

I'm fully aware that Advent is right around the corner because  I personally look forward to seasons of preparation and our Advent ministry stole stock is turning over at a brisker pace than usual (thank you!) Because of the nature of this business I live by the church year calendar. Despite this I must confess that my pulse raced when my daughter pointed out the count down to Christmas calendar on eBay. This made me realize I could no longer ignore the Christmas banners that were sitting in my workroom. This poor set of white and gold textile art from my home church suffered from a water leak dispersing some nasty rustiness upon them. Carrot Top Studio typically recommends clear baby shampoo as a gentle spot remover but this seemed to require a more creative cleaning solution . After some experimentation, I can share a new "insider tip" that a combination of hydrogen peroxide and cream of tartar appears to be the answer to removing rusty water stains. Cleaning is not one of my natural gifts so this kind of thing amazes me.

But here's another tidbit....white stoles need to be replaced more often than any other. What can I say--white just shows the dirt! So maybe in the next week before life spins at a different pace you can look at your stoles, paraments, banners and vestments and see if you're in good shape for Christ the King, Advent and Christmas. These special days and seasons should be about preparing our hearts, caring for others, and worshiping the Lord--not wondering if the stain  on your white stole will show while you're leading worship! Blessings for your ministry.

The Harvest

I love going to the farmer's market. I'm a bit of a foodie so I adore the fresh local produce to cook with but I'm sure the attraction is also the vibrant palette of colors....just like I respond to color used in the textiles in worship! Last night I was particularly struck by the variety of colors in the apples. So many different kinds of reds, greens and golds!

The bounty of the season and the harvest make me think of the Shakers who are renowned for having pioneered the packaging of garden seeds for sale. Did you know that they produced seeds in great quantities in the early 1800's and the Shaker business was recognized for its quality products. Seed salesmen worked routes extending well into the Midwest by the 1830's. The seeds were gathered during the growing season, packets were printed, cut and pasted by hand. Once filled, the packets were placed into wooden Shaker seed boxes which were then placed for sale in stores by salesmen working routes into the Midwest or by mail order to the southern states. The Shakers celebrate the harvest with this hymn....

The Harvest

Our support we'll gather in.

For the harvest time is come.

Now to reap we will begin

Will you all now help us on?

Twas by Christ the seed was sown.

Now the harvest does appear;

Now the crops are fully grown.

Reap, o reap, get every spear.

The second thing that struck me at the farmer's market last night were the hands that passed me the produce that I was purchasing. Time after time these hands seemed so strong and weathered. They were a symbol to me of the hard work that it takes, to bring the food I often taken for granted, to the table. I am thankful for the vast amount of choices God has provided us, for the bounty we have and for the many hands that it takes to grow the food we eat. At the end of harvest season many cultures take a moment to be thankful. Here in the United States we of course call this holiday Thanksgiving. Carrot Top Studio celebrates the harvest with this stole embellished with pumpkins, gourds, corn and apples. The falling leaves add delightful detail to this stole. Wear this stole to lead worship as we come together in unity to be thankful for so many things.  


The stole front is crafted from acreamy white cotton blend. The produce is appliqued and finished with machine embroidery and is accented with hand painted falling leaves. It is lined with the same fabric as the front and is interfaced for added body. Stole is 49" long measuring from back of neck to the bottom of the hem on one side.   It measures 4 1/2" wide at the hem and tapers to 2 3/4" at the neck.