The frayed elbows on a sweater, the missing knee on a pair of jeans, the loose pocket of a corduroy jacket; things that appear inevitably and uneventfully. Yet the decision of what to do about a torn garment can teach us a lot about this modern life and our modern priorities. It could be donated, but who would want it? It could be left alone, but won’t it just get worse? It could be replaced, but isn’t this one still mostly new? It could be repaired, but won’t that take too long?

Sacred Settlement Prince of Peace hosts a monthly mending get-together just prior to their monthly Community Dinner. Valerie, a neighbor, and Clare, a supportive friend, host the sewing circle together. Valerie graciously lends out her assortment of tools and materials, so everyone has what they need.

“Bring your worn-out, your tattered, your missing buttoned items and mend them alongside fellow menders hoping and working for a mended world.”
‍_{- Clare Tallon Ruen}

Someone might ask, in this day and age, why is it even important to preserve the things we have? Why not just buy something new instead? Every time we mend something, we are investing in it. We are investing our time. We may be infusing it with new life, color, or personality. We are extending its ‘lifespan’ so that it can be enjoyed longer (and perhaps by more people).

“It's an old-fashioned, practical and casual way to be with others; connections are made incidentally which makes them feel more natural and real.”
_{‍- Clare Tallon Ruen}

And it matches the heart of God who didn’t give up on a world torn apart by sin and greed and strife.

So, as we mend clothes and connect with each other, we are doing more than just fixing things. We are embracing a timeless practice that speaks to restoration and community.

Just as we invest time and care into mending, we reflect a deeper truth—that there is value in preservation and in fostering connections that transcend the superficial. It's not just about fixing fabric; it's about mending hearts and strengthening bonds.

In these simple acts of repair, we find echoes of God's love and desire to mend and restore. Let us continue, stitch by stitch, to create a tapestry of renewal and hope for a mended world.

If you’d like to join the Prince of Peace sewing circle, it meets on the third Sunday of every month. You can sign up here.