Writing on the Wall: Spring 2022

Making an Impact in Lexington
A small group in Lexington is making
a big impact. Recently, Luke and
Phillip discovered they had a mutual
goal. “We were wanting to bring
diverse people together… this has
always been a dream of mine because
I put a lot of heart into learning how
to reach out,” said Phillip. The first
step was to name their new WRAP
team. Phillip suggested, “Let’s call
ourselves the Community Connections
Dream Team (CCDT)!” The
name stuck!
Grace Episcopal Church welcomed
CCDT with open arms when they
needed a place to eat lunch once it
got cold outside. The team partnered
with the church on a fundraiser
for Hope House, a residence
for South Sudanese children going
to school in Kenya. They sold
rubberband bracelets in South
Sudanese flag colors. The sale was
a success, raising $73 for Hope
House. The relationship with Grace
Episcopal grew, and Phillip started
working with the chairperson of the
church’s Sudanese Mission Group, MJ
Mayerchak, to learn new crocheting
techniques. Phillip decided he wanted
to donate proceeds from sales of his
crocheted koozies to the cause. He
was asked to speak about God’s Love
at a church luncheon in February. The
WRAP team got permission from the
church vestry to sell crafts again to
benefit Hope House. This time, bracelets
and koozies in Valentine’s colors
raised over $134.00!
CCDT wanted to expand relationships
beyond occasional special events, so
they created Community Connection
Mondays, held weekly in the parish
hall. They participate in a Zoom exercise
class with folks from Florida, Virginia,
New Jersey, and Pennsylvania,
have informal discussion and a brown
bag lunch, and share an educational/
recreational program time. Activities
have included writing workshops, origami
and puzzles, holiday and history
programs, and individual craft projects.
Luke reflects, “I like it because
I get to hang out with people that
are funny, kind-hearted, and free-
Above: Phillip (back left) and Luke
(front right) with friends from Grace.
Right: Luke and Cindy Hughes
spirited.” Phillip adds, “Bringing
people together as a community…
for unity… is a very important
thing within our world today.”
Their connections grew to include
the shops on Main Street in
downtown Lexington. Luke, quite
the entrepreneur, often sold his handmade
rubberband bracelets to downtown
acquaintances. One afternoon,
we noticed a store had local crafts for
sale, so Luke asked the shop owner
if she would sell his bracelets. The
shopkeeper thought the fun, colorful
wristbands would have a better market
around the corner at Sugar Maple
Trading Company. Luke headed off
immediately and found the perfect fit!
3
Owner Cindy Hughes said “Yes!” to
three different holiday color schemes.
She bought them outright and packaged
them beautifully, but that wasn’t
the last of it! Luke returned in February
with new colors for the spring,
and Cindy purchased more! Recently,
Luke reflected on what is meaningful
about this endeavor: “It makes me
proud and expanding my horizons
helps me to meet new people.”
Phillip was so inspired by Luke’s
success he wanted to find a downtown
home for his crafts, too. He
was drawn to House Mountain Yarn
Company and found the perfect
partner in its owner, Ellie Boylan.
Ellie was so enthusiastic about his
work she offered to put Phillip’s
crocheted koozies on display, front
and center for the holidays, through
a consignment agreement. Phillip
recently suggested that Ellie put Starburst
candies in the glassware she uses
to display his multi-colored yarn creations.
Ellie is awaiting Phillip’s new
craft ideas to put on consignment this
spring. Phillip expressed his delight,
“I enjoy selling my crocheted items to
raise money for charities, meeting others’
needs and building relationships
with people in the community.”
~Susan Virginia Mead