Prayer Shawl Ministry

- This fall we were able to deliver about 70 Prayer Shawls to members of the communities of Elmcroft, Camelia and Derwood. It was wonderful to be able to bring a little love and joy to these residents. We plan to deliver shawls to several other facilities in the near future.
  
  During the last year of our pandemic the Prayer Shawl Ministers made over 60 Prayer Shawls. We did not meet during this time, but our ministers worked at home. This was/is a time of isolation for many, and the ladies choose to pray and make shawls of love for others. These shawls have been blessed by Father Mason and are ready to be presented to people in need of comfort or healing.
  
  Our Mission
  
  The mission of the Prayer Shawl Ministry is to offer Prayer Shawls to those who are in need of comfort and/or healing. The Shawls are made in prayer and with love by parishioners. They are blessed, and then presented to members of the community. The shawls remind the recipient of the love of God and the caring, support and love of our parish community.
  Our Ministry has expanded to include “Prayer Bears.” These are small stuffed teddy bears that are adorned with a knit or crocheted Prayer Scarf. These bears are blessed and presented to children in need. They are also given to adults, when appropriate, in the hope of giving comfort, healing and love.
  We have also made and presented “Celebration of Life” Prayer Shawls. These shawls are presented to persons who have made exceptional contributions to our parish or are celebrating very important milestones in their lives.
  
  Our ministry began in April 2015. Since that time the Prayer Shawl ministers have knit or crochet over 700 shawls. Each shawl takes about 20 hours and costs around $20 to make. We currently have approximately 20 active members of our ministry.
  
  We meet monthly on the 2^nd Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Meetings are held in the new Parish Life Center in room 217.
  
  The Prayer Shawl Meetings are a time of prayer, contemplation, fellowship and renewal. The meetings are a chance to reflect on what our ministry means to others by exchanging stories about our shawls and the recipients. We pray for the comfort and healing of the recipients of the Prayer Shawls, Prayer Bears and Baby Prayer Blankets, and we also share hints and tips on patterns, work on current projects, and provide assistance on the making of the shawls and scarves. Attendance at the meetings, however, is not required to participate in this ministry.
  
  We offer Saturday morning training sessions from time to time. Please watch the bulletin for dates.
  New members are always welcome in the Prayer Shawl Ministry. If you knit, crochet or would like to learn or would like additional information, please contact Dianne Miiller at miiller@comcast.net.
  
  “You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my Mother’s womb. I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works!” – Psalm 139:13-14
  
  Prayer Shawls and Prayer Bears are always given as gifts. Donations for supplies are gratefully accepted. Please contact Dianne Miiller at miiller@comcast.net.
  
  Testimonial
  
  This is my friend Jeanne whom I sent the green prayer shawl to. Unfortunately, God had plans for Jeanne and took her up to heaven last Wednesday. She lost her battle with ALS (muscular dystrophy). Her husband texted me the other day and said the prayer shawl brought Jeanne great comfort and peace, right up to her last hours. She had it with her everywhere she went. Jeanne loved it and green was her favorite color, that's why I needed it in that color. I thank you for that time for going out of your way to make sure she was receiving this shawl. John, her husband and the kids saw how she loved the shawl, that and they all agreed to bury her with it.