Knitting prayer shawls is a ministry – a ministry that does not expect anything in return. What does return to you are amazing blessings that one would never think possible.
A Prayer Shawl is a covering of knitted yarn, full of prayer, mystery and peace. It is knit with love and prayers to remind the wearer of a CIRCLE OF CARE without boundaries. Wearing a prayer shawl lets the prayers of the maker seep into the yarn as it is being made and then be transferred to the receiver, giving them the feeling of being safe, loved and held in prayer.
Hope Church’s Prayer Shawl Ministry was started by Nancy Rock just before 2000. Remember the group of ladies sitting in the Gathering Area on Sunday mornings, knitting and talking many years ago? Originally the shawl knitting ministry was created by Vicky Cole-Galo and Janet Bristow in 1998. They are both graduates of the Women’s Leadership Institute at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut. At graduation they were encouraged to carry on the spirit of the class through some kind of project. At first they knit shawls for new mothers and women with breast cancer. The word spread and soon shawls were being knit for many purposes, including important celebrations.
One of the prayers used by Hope Church members as they knit is:
“Creator God, may this shawl be a sign of your healing presence: may it warm those who are weary, surround those who suffer and encircle those who are in pain. May your gentle touch reach out to heal in the light of Christ. Amen.”
We hope that our Congregational Care Group leaders will give these shawls to our members and friends who experience illness, a death in their immediate family or are stressed by caregiving or other family situations.
For directions on knitting a prayer shawl ask at the Hope Church office or call Ann Anderson at 399-3796. Health Ministry hopes many of you will be inspired to join the knitting ministry.
~Ann Anderson, Health Ministry member