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Posted: 2:23 PM- SAN ANGELO, Texas - In song and prayer, residents gathered here Saturday to ask God to guide those aiding and making decisions about the women and children taken a week ago from a polygamous sect's ranch in west Texas.

At the San Angelo Visitors' Center, an interfaith service attracted 50 people, who sang hymns and offered prayers for the "pressing human situation" that has gripped this part of Texas and the nation.

"I know those women and children awoke one day and their lives were in crisis," said Julie Glaspie-Eustis, offering a personal hope for those in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. "They do not know who to cry out to, but we do. My plans are not to harm you, but to prosper you."

Across town, women from the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and Christ Lutheran Church united for a third day of quilting to benefit children being held at Fort Concho.

Twenty women pieced together colorful fabric squares - avoiding any shades of red, which the FLDS consider a sacred hue reserved for Jesus Christ - in a meeting room at the Lutheran Church.

"It is something that is hard for me to understand because it is a very different lifestyle, different beliefs, but we are very inclusive and welcoming," said Judith Lester, an Episcopalian who organized the quilting bees. "It's distressful to know these children have been displaced but we're very hopeful things will be better for them."

Quilts finished by Sunday will be blessed at a service by the Rev. Celia Ellery of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and delivered to child advocates to distribute to the children.

The quilting bees will continue through next week until there is one comforter for each of the 416 children taken from the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado in a massive child-abuse investigation that began April 3.

State officials allowed 139 mothers to accompany the children and stay with them in state custody.

The ranch is owned by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a sect based in the adjoining towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz.

The children and women are living at the old military fort and at the Wells Fargo Pavilion at least until Thursday, when a hearing is set to decide whether they will remain in state custody.

The prayer service drew about 50 Catholics, Methodists, Baptists and others who asked to comfort the women and children and send guidance to those making decisions about their future.

The Rev. Nathaniel Hankins, associate pastor of First United Methodist Church, asked that all those helping the FLDS - social workers, judges, law enforcement, attorneys - be kept from harm.

Charlotte Anderson and daughter Victoria put together the prayer service to give people who want to help an avenue to do so.

Victoria Anderson asked that peace spread through the city, and her mother told those in attendance to pray for the FLDS women and children on "their new journey of faith, hope and love."

"It's just very sad," Victoria Anderson said, to which her mother added: "And at the same time it's a great opportunity for a new beginning for a lot of people."

Some quoted their favorite section of scriptures - Hebrews 11:1, Psalm 121, Jeremiah 20:11 - while others shared Bible stories they have found meaningful. Some women shed quiet tears and put their arms around one another.

"I'm certain God is big enough and faithful enough to handle the situation," one women told the group.

Roman Catholic Bishop Michael Pfeifer of San Angelo turned to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, reciting the admonishment to be loving to one another, even your enemies and asked that God lift up the people closest to the situation. He said two judges involved in the case had asked that prayers be said for wisdom, guidance and direction.

Pfeifer said prayers will be offered and a special collection taken Sunday at all Catholic churches in San Angelo and donated to agencies providing care.

The hope, he said, is for a "peaceful and just resolution to this situation."

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