Congo Cloth Connection is a project of Michiana Friends of Congo, including Florence Church of the Brethren Mennonite (Constantine, MI), Kern Road Mennonite (South Bend, IN) and Silverwood Mennonite (Goshen, IN).
Its chief purpose it to connect Mennonites in Michiana and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
How did it begin?
Christine Nofsinger visited DR Congo in 2009 and was enthralled with the beautiful fabric that fashioned much of Congolese clothing. This also reflected to her the vibrancy of Congolese culture. As a way of praying for the intense tensions – beauty and poverty, welcome and warfare – that face Congo, she began making quilts of this cloth. While sewing her motto was “every stitch a prayer.”
Christine wanted to share this way of making relationships with the broader church in addition to adding to the stunning array of cloth in her “inventory.” With the support of Michiana Friends of Congo, she began visiting other church groups and selling cloth.
CCC was featured at the annual conference meeting of Central District Conference of MCUSA (June, 2010).
Why is its purpose “relationships,” or “connecting Mennonites in Michiana and the Democratic Republic of Congo?”
One of the five priorities of MCUSA in 2002 was “relationships with the global church.” With the counsel of Mennonite World Conference, MCUSA chose to foster church to church relationships between MCUSA and the Mennonite Churches of Congo. The Democratic Republic of Congo has one of the largest memberships of Mennonites in the global Mennonite body.
While it is challenging to make church to church relationships over great distances and through different languages, the blessings are rich, and the wisdom gained essential for the on-going health and hope of global Mennonites. This project represents a shift from “rich helping poor” to “people connecting with people” in faith and hope, creativity and compassion.
Why use cloth as the connection?
Congo cloth is a hallmark of Congolese culture and creativity. Quilters and crafters are quickly drawn to its bold beauty. Creative sewing is a common task in Congo and in North America, making a common connection.
Is the cloth made in Congo?
While broadly used in Congo, only some of this style of cloth is currently made in Congo. Much is made elsewhere. It is not always easy to determine the place of production since large companies produce cloth in many locations such as West Africa, South Africa, China, Indonesia, and Holland.
Why use the name “Congo cloth?”
Wax-print cloth has been used for clothing in Congo for years. While this type of cloth has dwindling production due to economic stress, the style of cloth is seen everywhere in Congo as typical day to day dress. Some Mennonite women still produce limited amounts of hand dyed cloth. In addition, many Congolese church groups design this type of cloth for use among women’s groups, such as the recent International March for Women (October, 2010, in eastern Congo).
Who benefits from this project?
Those who work with the cloth, learn about Congo, and make new relationships, will find intrinsic benefits.
BOMEN Sewing Training Center and Workshop, a project in DR Congo, will receive the monetary profits from sales of cloth.
What is BOMEN Sewing Training Center and Workshop?
BOMEN Sewing and Training Center and Workshop is a project of the Bondeko Mennonite Church, a congregation of the CMCo (Congo Mennonite Church) located in Masina, Kinshassa, in Congo. They have recently begun this project to train women heads of household, teenage mothers, and unemployed young women in sewing, dress making and tailoring. To date only a small number have been part of the program because only two privately owned sewing machines are available.
BOMEN is asking CCC of Michiana Friends of Congo to help expand the center by providing a grant for help buy additional sewing machines, tables and chairs, supplies, and rent for a larger building for the center. Local contributions will cover personnel costs.
The project will train 100 women in basic sewing skills over an eighteen month period. It will provide follow-up to assist the trainees to find employment, and will also include a production workshop to help young women get started in their careers.
CCC hopes to raise $5000 for this project by July 2011. One sewing machine costs $75, purchased in Congo.
Who is giving oversight to BOMEN project?
The relationship will be between the BOMEN and the Bondeko Mennonite Church and Michiana Friends of Congo through CCC.
Why not create a website to increase sales and benefits to those in DR Congo?
The only way that cloth travels between Congo and the US is by suitcase of those traveling back and forth. This is due to lack of infrastructure in Congo such as a functioning postal system. Therefore about 75 pieces of cloth (6 yards/each) can travel in three suitcases with each visitor. Michiana Friends of Congo has at least four connections with people traveling back and forth one or more times in the next year.
In addition, the internet does not promote personal relationships in the same way as this ‘grass roots” style project.
Why have a CCC booth in Pittsburgh?
Since CCC shares the goal with MCUSA of fostering relationships with the global Mennonite church, CCC offers a way to engage that goal. We hope to promote awareness of Mennonites in Congo. We hope to foster prayer as well as projects that connect the two church groups. We hope to host a visitor from Congo to make face to face connections.
How can I or my local group or congregation participate in this project?
Purchase cloth for $10 per yard for individual of group projects.
Learn about and share with others our connections to the people and churches of Congo.
Send a one paragraph description of how the cloth has been used, including a photograph of the process or the end product. Nina Lanctot will post these on the blog at congocloth.blogspot.com. Contact Nina at Florence.brethren.mennnonite@gmail.com)
Send a CCC free-will contribution representing the amoung realized from any Congo cloth items sold or any other amount you feel is appropriate. This contribution with support the BOMEN Sewing Project in Kinshasa.
Participate in the CCC booth in Pittsburgh at the MCUSA Assembly (July 4-8, 2011).
Participate in CCC through Michiana Friends of Congo. We are open to include any Mennonite congregations in the Michiana area. Contact Vicki Smucker at
How can I find out more about Congo Cloth Connection?
For cloth purchases, contact Christine Nofsinger: cnofsinger@gmail.com
To share writing and photos about CCC events and projects, contact Nina Lanctot: florence.brethren.mennonite@gmail.com
To read about CCC and see sample projects go to the blog at congocloth.blogspot.com
To send a contribution make your check to Florence Church of the Brethren Mennonite – CCC Fund and mail to Florence Church, 17975 Centreville-Constantine Road, Constantine, MI 49704
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