The religious landscape of the Cape Fear region is changing and with that change will come opportunities to enrich ourselves and our community with events that facilitate inter-religious dialogue, education, understanding and respect of our differences and affirmation of our shared values.

For the past 12 years, I have had the pleasure of promoting and working in ecumenical and inter-religious settings. I now look forward to my new position with Wilmington Faith and Values to create and coordinate inter-religious programs and special events for our community.

Our first project is the Cape Fear Spirit Quilt. 

This quilt will showcase the Cape Fear region's religious and spiritual diversity. 

We hope individuals and groups will participate and share their unique faith through symbols, quotes, scriptures and images.

The quilt will be presented in different locations in the region beginning in the spring of 2013. 

Here's how you can participate.

Create a 12-inch quilt square out of cloth, leaving a 1 1/2 inch border around the edges for sewing. Here you'll see a template you can follow and print to help you create your square. Decorate the quilt square to reflect the belief system of your household. Any belief system is welcome, and any medium is welcome - painting, needlepoint, traditional quilting. You name it! You can write your favorite scripture on the square if you like.

Then mail your square to WilmingtonFAVS at P.O. Box 1517 Carolina Beach, N.C. Call us with any questions at 910-520-3958 or email Laura Frank at laurafrank8@aol.com.

The deadline for quilt submissions is Jan. 15, 2013.

Then a community of quilters will gather to stitch the quilt together in an event in January.

Our hope is the religious dialogue facilitated through the artistic expression of the Cape Fear Spirit Quilt will be the perfect start to begin the conversations.