For decades, a handful of women have bonded over a quilting frame at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lehighton.

Over the years, their continued efforts helped raise needed funds for many church projects. They have paid for a copier for the church office, funded the painting of the church eves and purchased supplies for the church."We've made friends and have gotten to know everything about each other's lives," said Barbara Getz, who at 65 is the youngest member of the present group. The oldest member of the group is 93.Getz followed in her mother-in-law Elsie Getz's footsteps to become a Trinity church quilter.Quilters at Trinity Lutheran Church have been meeting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday, taking the time to painstakingly hand-quilt the quilts that make cribs snugger and beds cozier, plus many of their quilted wall hanging decorate homes."Sometimes we finish them off by putting on the bindings," said Getz, "but most times we only do the quilting."Most people bring quilts tops to the group that were freshly done, but sometimes, while clearing out a family member's house, someone will come across a quilt top that was put together long ago, and they don't quite know what to do with it. They often turn to Trinity Quilters to complete the quilt."We can turn that quilt top that was found in a box into a family heirloom," said Getz.Over the years, the number of Trinity Quilters has dwindled. Several members have aged to the point they no longer attend, but yet this small group of women continues to meet every week to share a quilting frame, their stories and their lives.The group has finished eight quilts in the past three months.Also part of the group are Pauline Snyder, Louise Sellers and Arlene Christman."A lot of quilters came through here, including Mae Markley, Mildred Bock, Emma Rehrig, Mazie Ziegler, Thelma Ace, Elsie Getz and Edna Mertz," said Getz."We're hoping for more members and more quilts," said Getz.Getz said the group is willing to teach anyone who wants to learn the art of quilting. Anyone interested in learning or who has a quilt top that needs quilting should call Arlene Christman at (610) 377-2039 or the church office at (610) 377-4303.