Have you heard of Prayer Shawl Ministry?
By blondbat
@blondbat (503)
United States
June 20, 2007 11:36am CST
Over the past several months, almost everytime I do an internet search for knitting stitches or patterns, the same site link shows up: www.shawlministry.com along with many other related links for individual groups.
In case you haven't heard of this, here is a brief run-down. Two female seminary students/knitters wanted a way to bring these 2 parts of their lives together to help others. So they started the Prayer Shawl Ministry. They knit shawls for people who need not only the physical shawl for comfort in whatever situation they are in, but the spiritual and mental comfort these shawls bring - someone made this shawl for them to help them thru this situation and cared about them.
Since this has kept showing up for months, I have decided to carry it to the next logical step. Although I do not attend a church at all, my mother is quite active in one. I will talk to her about whether her church would be interested in this ministry.
Are you familiar with this ministry? Are you involved in this ministry in any way? Would you like to start one or contribute to one? Because I am not able to copy/paste and there are many links, if you would like any additional information that I have already found on the internet, please email me.
4 responses
@lilmrsarata (240)
• United States
20 Jun 07
At my old church in San Diego (chula vista to be exact) they had something similar to that...they actually had a few things like that...one was they made prayer quilts for people going through a rough time whether it be physical or otherwise. they would bring it to church a few days before they would give it to that person and have people tie knots on these strings that were tied on the quilts...and every knot represented a prayer someone said for you....i have one...i had surgery a while back and they made me one to go into surgery with...it was very nice and i will always keep it.....
they also do a ministry where women in the church make blankets either crochet or knitting. they either do a whole blanket themselfs or they all do squares and sew them together when they have enough....the finished blankets go to men and women over seas and also to homeless and battered women shelters........i think this whole idea is a wonderful idea!!! and once i get faster at it i will have to find a group that does something similar and do it as well!!!!
@twilight021 (2059)
• United States
20 Jun 07
I have heard of this and I have made a shawl for friend in this spirit....though I am not an active church goer, or really involved in organized religion in any way.
I think the premise behind this ministry is an important. It's a way to let friends, family, or in some cases, strangers, know that they are loved and cared for in a time of need. A shawl can keep you warm physically, but the outpouring of emotion is just an important. It's equally important for the knitter. Kitting is a meditative activity and when I made my friend's shawl, I tried to think positive peaceful thoughts while knitting so that her shawl was made with love and comfort. She really liked it and I loved giving it to her. It was a really great experience.
@blondbat (503)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Thank you for your story. Since I have up to 3 hours a day where I can't do any other craft/hobby other than knitting I thought this would be a good way to use my talents for a good cause.
If you would like more info on hooking up with others to do more, let me know...
Also Lion Brand Yarns website has an excellent section devoted to this, as their Homespun yarn is a yarn of choice for these projects. Great stories!
@caver1 (1762)
• United States
3 Jul 07
I am involved with a prayer shawl ministry. It is a part of the Helping Hands ministry at my church. As we knit we try to pray for the person who will receive the shawl. Sometimes I know who I am making the shawl for and can be very specific in my prayer. Other times, I'm knitting a shawl to have one on hand when someone needs it, but I still pray a general prayer for the person that will receive it. The ladies try to meet once a month to knit together and encourage each other.
@cowgirl03051979 (918)
• United States
12 Oct 11
no i have never heard of prayer shawl ministry but it sure does sound like a good organization to get involved with i am always looking for great organizations to get involved with that combines some of my hobbies if i had more time to knit on my hands i would like to knit some shawls and donate them to the organization i think it would be good if they did not just do shawls but take whatever they could knit or get anyone with a good king heart to donate i think it is good that you are helping to spread their doings and getting other involved with this
