Irene Wentz, Bismarck McCabe UMC, models a Lydia scarf that just came off her knitting needles! Photo courtesy of Karen Workman.

Members of Bismarck McCabe UMC are committed to welcoming clergy and laity to 2020 General Conference in Minneapolis. Yarn and patterns for the Lydia Project have already been distributed to folks who knit and crochet with the goal of contributing 100 scarves from the congregation.

The United Methodist General Conference will be coming to Minneapolis in 2020. The Dakotas-Minnesota Area has a wonderful opportunity to come together to provide hospitality for this conference.

We intend to greet every delegate, dignitary, bishop, and spouse with a handmade scarf, to serve not only as a memento of General Conference but also as a practical solution to drafty, air-conditioned rooms. That's where you come in!

We are inviting United Methodists in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota to help us knit or crochet 10,000 purple scarves. We are calling this initiative the Lydia Project, after Lydia in Acts 16. 

Bismarck McCabe has set a goal to make 100 scarves. Each church is asked to designate a contact person for this project. The contact person will be responsible for coming up with an estimated number of scarves your congregation can commit to making.  Get more details and resources here.