West U Methodist 90 News

September 10, 2026

Stitched with Grace: The 8,000-Hour Masterpiece at West U Methodist

The next time you take communion at West University United Methodist Church and kneel down at the altar to pray, take a moment to look at the beautiful kneelers. Needlepointed by women of the church, these intricate pieces were dedicated during a service on March 25, 2007.

A Vision for the Sanctuary

The project started in July 2003, when members of the Renovation and Renewal Committee toured various churches in town to look at their sanctuaries. They were captivated by several beautiful needlepoint kneeler installations and agreed that this would be just the thing for a beautifully renovated sanctuary at West U UMC. Needlepoint designer Betty Smith of Canyon Lake, Texas, who had an impressive résumé of ecclesiastical needlepoint, was chosen to lead the artistic vision.

Stained Glass & Texas Wildflowers

A design was envisioned that looked like stained glass, based on the grape and leaf motif that borders the stained-glass window of the chancel. The motif of Christian symbols in stained glass was broken up by Texas wildflowers on alternate canvases. A red background was selected to perfectly blend with the various reds in the carpet, seat cushions, and ecclesiastical materials in the sanctuary.



Plans were also made for a special wedding kneeler rendered in white and pastels. A second wedding kneeler was created so there would be one for the church’s wedding bench and another to travel to the weddings of members who are married at other locations.

Thousands of Hours, Dozens of Hands

More than 20 volunteers signed up to stitch the canvases, alongside a list of additional stitchers ready to help as needed. It was with great excitement that the first canvases arrived from Betty Smith’s studio in July 2005.

The canvases are two to three feet long and one foot wide, and each took 9 to 18 months to stitch. In total, the women of West U UMC spent an estimated 8,000 hours stitching the kneelers.



Each stitcher was allowed to dedicate her canvas. Many family members, friends, church staff, and church programs are the recipients of these heartfelt dedications. A label on the back of each kneeler lists the name of the needlepointer and their dedication, alongside a number that facilitates the proper placement of the cushions along the communion rail.

A Legacy That Lives On

Bid Drake of BCD Designs did the finishing of the needlepoint canvases and made the actual kneeling cushions from June 2006 to March 2007.

The handout from the 2007 Kneeler Dedication perfectly captures the spirit of the project:

“We pray that whenever the kneelers are used in the years to come, they will reflect the spirit and dedication of the women of West University United Methodist Church. Many thanks to the women who have dedicated countless hours to stitching a canvas: Janet Amend, Paula Arnold, Vicki Atkinson, Patrice Brewer, Ashley Bryan, Diane Burnett, Lacey Caldwell, Bonnie Clements, Polly Collier, Sally Cox, Julie Moran Day, Pat McEnery, Lee Madray, Jeanne Maher, Kris Mills, Dianna Patterson, Christi Quinn, Kim Roberts, Jackie Sharbrough, Connee Sullivan, Bev Taylor, and Kris White. Thanks to Connee Sullivan and Diane Burnett who served as leaders of this project. And thanks to those who supported the stitchers: Karyn Carmical, Nora German, Kris Mills, Carol Turpin, and Babetta Wood.”

A special nod to Diane Burnett, Bev Taylor, and Nora German, who are still with us at West U UMC in 2026!

West U UMC Needlepoint Kneelers

Prickly poppy

• Alpha and Omega is the beginning and end of the Greek alphabet signifying that Jesus is the beginning and end of all things, signifying that God is omnipotent
• Bev Taylor stitcher - dedicated to Joy and Charlie Hall

Ship represents the church as our refuge in this 'rough sea' of life and should remind us to live faithfully as Christ taught us.

• Pat McEnery stitcher - dedicated to Ellen Jane Hall

Iris which is frequently used in pictures with Mary, the mother of Jesus

• anchor is the oldest design for the Christian cross used as a secret message with the true meaning hidden from all but other Christians; this cross is a sign of hope in Jesus Christ
• Crux Ansata represents the resurrection of Christ and the heavenly marriage
• Janet Amend stitcher - dedicated to her husband Dave Amend and their sons Cullen, Chapman and Cameron

Butterfly is the symbol of transformation and resurrection illustrating how Christians are transformed from death to life eternal.

• Sally Cox stitcher - dedicated to John Cox and Kate Cox

Evening primrose

• Patriarchal Cross has two horizontal arms; the upper, shorter arm represents the inscription over the head of our Lord on the cross
• Cross Botonnee with budded ends represents those young in the Christian faith who hold a promise of full growth
• Connee Sullivan stitcher - dedicated to Kent Sullivan and John Sullivan

Manger symbolizes the birth of Jesus and the simplicity of poverty surrounding it.

• Ashley Bryan stitcher - dedicated to Geneva Youens

Bluebonnet

• Chi(X) Rho(P) is a monogram of the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ and is the oldest monogram for Jesus Christ
• Cross Barbee is a cross with fishhook points and is believed to represent the fishers of men
• Jeanne Maher stitcher - dedicated to John Collier and his long and inspiring service to WUUMC

Three fish in a circle is an ancient symbol for our Lord signifying that man's salvation comes from the Trinity in unity.

• Kim Roberts stitcher - dedicated to Lynne Jackson and the music program of WUUMC

Grapes and the chalice with a cross represent the blood of Christ as wine in Holy Communion.

• Jerusalem Cross with four small crosses between the arms of a larger cross symbolize the five wounds of our Lord; the large cross represents the wound from the spear that penetrated Jesus's side and the four small crosses represent the wounds from the nails in Jesus's hands and feet or the four Gospels
• Kris Mills and friends stitchers - dedicated to the women of West U UMC

Scalloped shell with drops of water represents our Lord's baptism and the anchor cross represents a sign of hope in Jesus Christ.

• Julie Moran Day stitcher - dedicated to her grandmother Mary "Grandmary" Cowling

IHS (Iota, eta, sigma) are the first three letters of the Greek spelling of Jesus.

• Polly Collier and Lee Madray stitchers - dedicated to John Collier and Roddy Bland

Wheat symbolizes having an abundance of what we need.

• Maltese Cross with four spearheads provides eight points that represent The Beatitudes which reverses human logic as did Jesus's teachings
• Tau Cross, sometimes called the Old Testament Cross, makes a strong link between Jewish and Christian traditions
• Vicki Atkinson stitcher - dedicated to her husband Mark and their children Bear, Jake, Josh and Sam

Lamb of God, no longer wounded but standing with the banner of victory, suggests the victorious nature of Jesus's sacrifice and resurrection.

• Dianna Patterson stitcher - dedicated to her husband Eddie and their children Ted, John and Kate Patterson

Thistle

• Calvary Cross, sometimes called the Graded Cross, has three steps which stand for faith, hope and love
• Celtic Cross dates back to the early days of Christianity; the circle on the cross represents eternal life through Jesus Christ's resurrection
• Diane Burnett stitcher - dedicated in memory of her parents Helen and Al Drumwright

Crown of thorns is a symbol of humiliation and suffering for the 'King of the Jews'.

• Bonnie Clements stitcher - dedicated to her mother Elizabeth Ann McDaniel

Indian blanket

• Crosslet is four Latin crosses joined at their bases representing Christianity spreading the Gospel to the four corners of the earth
• Passion Cross represents the living Holy Spirit and the risen Christ
• Christi Quinn stitcher - dedicated to her husband Dean and their sons Connor and Graham

Seven tongued flame is a symbol of the Holy Spirit; the seven tongues of the flame traditionally stand for seven gifts of the Holy Spirit - wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord and godliness

• Kris White stitcher - dedicated to the missions program of West U UMC

Lily is an Easter symbol of Resurrection; new life from a decaying bulb rises white and pure.

• Harp (lyre) represents David's praise and worship of God
• Star of David with six points recalls the six days of creation
• Paula Arnold stitcher - dedicated to the missions program of West U UMC

Cross and flame is the official symbol of the United Methodist Church; the cross symbolizes Christ and the flame symbolizes the Holy Spirit of Pentecost.

• Lacey Caldwell stitcher - dedicated to Connee Sullivan and Diane Burnett

Cone flower

• Triparted Cross represents the Holy Trinity, and the twelve ends represent the twelve disciples
• Triquetra Cross was the early symbol for the Holy Trinity; the arcs forming the cross are of equal size symbolizing the equality of the three parts of the Trinity and express eternity in their continuous form
• Jackie Sharbrough stitcher - dedicated to her children Graye Michael Taten and Skyler Lane Taten

Wedding kneeler

• Two joined gold rings with a cross in between symbolizes the joining of man and woman in unending union with the presence of Christ.
• Patrice Brewer and Jeanne Maher stitchers - dedicated to the children and youth programs of West U UMC

Special thanks to:

Author, Karen Vine Fuller

Logo Designer, Kathy Meyn Chauvin

90th Anniversary Committee