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Prayer Shawl Ministry
We are proud to announce the Prayer Shawl Ministry to occur at First Congregational Church of Wallingford. The next Prayer Shawl Ministry meeting will be Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. , place tbd.
Call for Patterns, Stories, and/or Prayers/Blessings
What is a prayer shawl?
A prayer shawl is a shawl that has been knit with special prayers woven into the stitches. Prayers of healing, comfort love and support.
What is a prayer shawl ministry?
A ministry of people who get together to knit and/or crochet prayer shawls for people who may need them.
Don't know how to knit? We will provide teaching of both knit and crochet.
We have stories to share of how these prayer shawls have affected our lives and the lives of those we love.
“Part of the journey of prayer and faith is to recognize that we may never know how our love and care will touch or change another person's life. Instead, we are invited to offer others our compassion and let whatever needs to happen, happen. There is an old saying:” Our hands are God's hands.” Through the shawl-knitting ministry we can learn to trust the truth that God works through us when we care for our friends and strangers alike.”
Knitting into the mystery
For Knitting please bring size 11 Knitting needles for crochet please bring crochet needle size N and 3 skeins of yarn to start. We will be using Lion Brand Homespun yarn - a very soft, warm and pliable yarn for both beginner and advanced knitters. Prayer Shawl knitting instructions are available here.
If you are interested in yarn or needles (knitting or crochet), we have them to lend, please contact Beth Bianco.
The instructions for both Prayer Shawls, as well as numerous patterns for baby blankets, exist on our website www.firstchurchwlfd@snet.net.
Baby blankets can be made using any yarn of choice. The standard size would be 36" x 45" to accomodate babies of all ages and sizes. A baby blanket can also be made to measure half the size of a prayer shawl using the Lion Brand Homespun yarn . The baby blanket would require 1 and 1/2 skeins of Homespun yarn. Please keep in mind that crochet patterns require more yarn than knit patterns. If you would like to make a baby blanket (knit or crochet), using baby yarn or fingering yarn, we would suggest 5 or 6 skeins to create the measurement of 36" x 45".
If you have a need for a Prayer Shawl for a friend, family member or for yourself, please do not hesitate to contact the ministry either through the office (265-1691) or contact Beth Bianco (269-5765. If you are not connected to First Congregational Church in Wallingford, CT please follow this link for a Prayer Shawl Ministry in your area. Click here.
If you have created a Prayer Shawl or Baptismal Blanket, please drop it off at the church office ~ there will be a sign-in sheet to identify who made the shawl, the color of the shawl, if it is intended for someone or if it is meant to be used by the ministry in the general shawl cache. There will be a Prayer Shawl basket for new shawls and blankets that need to be blessed at the church office (23 S. Main Street, Wallingford, CT).
To all who have dedicated their time, hands, heartfelt thoughts and prayers into these powerfully spiritual mantles of great warmth and comfort, we thank you! The shawls have been a blessing to so many lives in this church community and around our world. Be proud and know that you are doing the good work ~ to love and comfort our brothers and sisters in Christ. You are a blessing in this world and you are in the prayers, the love and the light of this Church family.
God Bless You!
All are welcome (guys ~ where are you?) to join us and learn the therapeutic, spiritual, and meditative benefits of knitting or crocheting. Please don't be shy ~ we are a fun group willing to teach the methods of the stitch!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Beth Bianco at 203-269-5765 or Rev. Margaret B. Jay at 203-265-1691.
“Part of the journey of prayer and faith is to recognize that we may never know how much our love and care will touch or change another person’s life. Instead, we are invited to offer others our compassion and let whatever needs to happen, happen. There is an old saying: Our hands are God’s hands. Through the shawl-knitting ministry we can learn to trust the truth that God works through us when we care for our friends and strangers alike.” Knitting into the Mystery by Susan S. Jorgensen and Susan S. Izard
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