Cheney church uses farmer’s barbed wire to raise funds

Luther Seat in barbed wire

Several members of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Cheney created barbed-wire yard art for a fund-raising contest and sale for the Pastor Relocation Project to fund interviewing and moving a pastor.  Thrivent Financial is matching up to $1,020 for entry fees for the art contest and for sales of barbed-wire yard art pins. Beyond that, funds from sales at the Holiday Bazaar go for the Women of the Church fund.

Marcia Mecklenburg, church council president, said the idea for a barbed wire yard art contest came after she saw a barbed-wire star in her niece’s craft book.

“We found some barbed wire and tried it.  Then I looked at barbed-wire art on the internet,” said Marcia.  “I wanted to find a fund-raising project and this seemed like one to involve the church.”

Much of the barbed wire donated for the project came from the farm of Gary and Tully Kasparek, but some members used their own.  About 20 people made sculptures by mid October.  The sculptures, which feature different themes—from animals to religious items—will be displayed and sold at Emmanuel Lutheran’s Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7, at the church, 639 Elm St.

Awards will be given for the best sculpture, the first sculpture sold and the sculpture that draws the highest price.

Copyright © November 2009 - The Fig Tree