Sharing

When were you blessed with a prayer shawl, or other form of waiting room ministry? How did this touch your life or the life of those around you? Please share this experience with us.

After you submit your story, our staff will review it. Once it is approved, we will add your story to the list. We will not modify the content unless requested.

Thank you for sharing your stories with us and all who read these entries. We can all rejoice in the wonders of the Lord!

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Join the hundreds of others who have shared how they or someone they know has been touched by these wonderful Prayer Shawls!

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April 2005
I live in DeSoto, TX (near Dallas). After church yesterday, I called my mother (age 90) who lives in the home in which I was raised in Downers Grove, IL.

Until my research Friday, I had never heard of the prayer shawl. Mom told me that she received a prayer shawl from her church -- Gloria Dei Lutheran Church -- last week. She describes it as being knit of a multicolored yarn. A prayer came with it explaining what the colors of the shawl mean:

She said there is a picture of Two Praying Hands at the top of the card and says:

"Prayer Shawl
The yarn colors of this shawl were selected to represent our prayers for you.  Green for healing and renewal Blue for tranquility Gold for faith and well being The rhythmic flow of the stitches allows the crafters mind to center on offering these prayers as she works.  May this shawl comfort and warm you with the love of your church.
The Gloria Dei Knit One Purl Two GroupDowners Grove, IL "
I have printed the pattern and will look for yarn this week to begin my first shawl.

Blessings,
Kathy

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April 2005
Thanks for your prayers as we began our Prayer Shawl Ministry last year.  I wanted to update you on our progress.  We got started in Sept. of 2004 and to date have blessed 81 shawls. It has been a blessing for all involved, and we just keep getting more and more ladies who want to knit or crochet for others.  I'm very involved in the Prayer Ministry at our church, so I asked one of our prayer warriors if she'd be willing to take the Shawl Ministry on as a ministry and she didn't hesitate at all.  So, since she's doing the coordination, I've lost track of who and how many are creating shawls.  There were 12 ladies at our first gathering and there are at least 20 now.  The neatest thing is that there are ladies who "thought" they were no longer able to be physically involved in the ministries of the church because of age, limited mobility, etc. who are coming forward and finding purpose with enthusiasm. 

And, as in other Shawl Ministries, there are those who have been so blessed by being thought of to receive a shawl that they've joined our group even though they attend other churches.  One lady has already left our group to start a Shawl Ministry in her own church.  My sister-in-law who lives in a town about 20 miles from here has started a Ministry in her church.  And another church in our town has started a Ministry because she and another man in their church were so blessed by receiving a shawl. 

We've designated a couple in our church who have a passion for the ministry to deliver most of the shawls; however, there are some that individuals want to deliver themselves.  We pray with the shawl receiver and also give them a book with prayers that were written by members of our Prayer Ministry.  It seems that just when we get "caught up" and have some shawls on hand, another need arises!  But that's what it's all about.  Right now we're working on shawls for all the H.S. graduates in our church.

I'm also very thankful that our minister has been so supportive.....he's a wonderful PR person and recognizes the good will it creates in our small community.  We've had other churches in our community involved in various aspects of our Prayer Ministry, i.e. individual prayer partners for our public school teachers, EMT's, police force, and firefighters, and this is another extension of that ministry. 

We've started a scrapbook that includes a thank-you note if one was received, a piece of the yarn, and the name and reason the shawl was given.  We don't think this is a privacy issue because most of these people have also sent thank-you notes to be included in our church Newsletter.  We'll put this on display with our Prayer Ministry information so that others can see that the Prayer Shawl can be a tool of God's healing.  The young lady who received our first shawl met her Savior face to face on Jan. 16, 2005.  Her mother said she slept with it every night,  Her mother now has it along with the one we gave to her during the last weeks of Andrea's life.  They are now a part of her Mother's healing process. 

And I've learned to knit!!!  The first person I thought of when I heard about this ministry was my 91 year-old Aunt who had given up her driver's license and didn't think she had anything to do but look at the 4 walls.  She had crocheted all her life and was excellent.  At first she didn't think she could use the Homespun yarn because her eyesight isn't very good anymore; but after I showed her some of the shawls I had crocheted, she decided to give it a try.  Now she has the same passion as everyone else and there is purpose in her life!....Praise God!  I don't get to her city 40 miles from here very often and I'm having trouble keeping her in yarn! 

So.....as we know, we serve an awesome God: there's no end to His blessings and we'll never out give Him.  Thanks for your input and advice.  We're having a good time!

Glad to be in His service,

Judy

Trinity United Methodist Church

Rockport, IN

"The measure of a life is not its duration, but its donation."

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Easter 2005
Easter Greetings to you, Bette.

It has been a year and a half since I started the Prayer Shawl Guild at St. Matthew Lutheran in Beaverton, Oregon. . . This has truly been a blessed ministry that God continues to lead....we listen and do the work of His hands and we are so blessed. Thank you for the wonderful work you have done to spread this meaningful ministry.

He Is RISEN!!!

Nita

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February 2005
Hi,
About 3 years ago, you e-mailed me information about
the prayer shawl ministry. . . I have to share that two of the shawls
I've made went to former homebound students of mine as graduation
presents. One young woman has had health problems
since early childhood. An absolutely wonderful girl
who is now is college. This Christmas she called to
ask for the pattern and prayers so she could make one
for someone else. She has said several times that the
shawl was her best graduation present. Also this
Christmas, in a card from the other young woman (now
also a college student who suffered from severe
depression and the loss of both parents in her senior
year of high school) said that her prayer shawl goes
everywhere with her.

A member of our church said that her mother-in-law's
favorite possession in her last year of life was the
shawl she received from her church friends. The church that my
friend's mother-in-law received her shawl from has a group of women who meet
weekly to pray and knit together (Willmar, MN). I guess that would be
true both literally and figuratively! I visited with one of those women
recently and she said that the time they spend each week is a blessing
to them as well.

This friend had asked if I might consider knitting a
narrower shawl. She wraps her mother-in-law's (now
deceased)around her and 'wears' it as she performs her
duties around the house. In this past year I haven't done any
knitting. I need to work time into my schedule for it again!

You have been instrumental in sharing so much of God's
love and giving us a way of doing so in a profoundly
meaningful way.

Thank you and God continue to bless your ministry in
this world of trials.

In Christ,
Kathy Vruwink

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February 2005
I read about you on the ELCA site, and have heard about prayer shawls
via the internet - was it the Lion Brand site?? Annie's Attic??
Herschners??
unsure. But I know God is leading me your direction -
please advise. I am a knitter, and a Choir Director at my church in
Denton, TX...

May He continue to Bless you !

Christine Beutner

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January 2005
I was very touched when I read your story in an old issue of The Lutheran (Dec. 2001). It is such a tangible way to demonstrate to someone that they are being thought of-- and to literally wrap them in the prayers of fellow Christians is such a
powerful way to reach out to them. This is such a wonderful idea--I can't wait to share it with my friends.
Thank you for all you do.
Wendy Sharp
from Reading, Pennsylvania

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January 2005

I am 62 and I live in Portland, Oregon. I am not affiliated with any church or group. I began to crochet prayer shawls at home because I was ill myself and crocheting was still one thing I could do. After crocheting lot's of useless things that stacked up around the house. I began to crochet shawls, not having any idea what I would do with them. It wasn't long before a longtime friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer. I took her a shawl I especially made for her. She wore it in the hospital prior to her surgery and it was the first thing she asked for in the recovery room. Then my neighbor across the street lost her father. I took her a shawl. Then my next door neighbor's husband had surgery. I took her a shawl. And so it started. And so it goes. I make up a different pattern for each shawl. This is mainly so I don't get bored! When I crochet for someone specific I put symbols in the pattern pertaining just to that person. For example, I might crochet three double crochets in a row to represent the Holy Trinity for someone whom I know is a devout Christian. Chain one and repeat. They might never know I did this, but I know that in addition to the prayers and positive thought I put into each shawl, there is something unique for that person. Sometimes I do the number of a certain kind of stitch to represent the woman's children. Sometimes a number of stitches in a row to represent her cats! For a woman who had given so much of her time away to everyone else, saving none for herself, I made rows in the shawl where a single stitch was separated from the rest in certain rows to represent that women's SELF. Her value alone. Because I am a Reki Master, I put Reiki healing into each shawl, along with my own made up prayers for that person. It isn't all that much, but this is one thing I can do. And I will continue to do it as long as I can.
Hanna

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Octobor 2004

I contacted you by email when we first got started with this ministry. An update: It is WONDERFUL! Those that have received them are so touched and enjoying them. Our church bazaar was today and 2 of the women had their shawls with them. Thank you for this gift.

Thank you again. Sending you God's blessings, Kathleen

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Octobor 2004

Hello! I was really excited to come across your website. I have had chronic pancreatitis for almost 10 years, 5 of which has been spent in the hospital. In the summer of 2002, I survived a coma that was supposed to be fatal. I returned home in August barely able to walk or eat, but I was alive. Though I had been living with pancreatitis for years, coming back from a situation I was not supposed to survive was the hardest thing I have ever done. I considered my faith to be strong before the coma, but it was painfully clear that I did not have a personal relationship with God. I spent many hours arguing with him about why he ordered me to return to a life he knew would be filled with heartache. My relationship with my fiancé deteriorated and I thought everyone was crazy to think I could make it on my own. Now, two years later, I am beginning to rejoin society. Although not a path I would have chosen for myself, I would not change a thing. The appreciation for life and the strong presence of God in my life could not have been achieved any other way. I have decided to use my life to help others in similar situations. About a year ago I had a dream that gave me detailed plans for a non-profit center aimed at those diagnosed with illness as a young adult. The organization will be called CIRCLE (Chronic Illness Resource Center for Lifelong Enrichment) and address every area of life - physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, relational and economical. In addition to the center, there will be a workshop series called Life at the Crossroads and a halfway-house of sorts called Safety Net for those well enough to leave the hospital yet too sick to live alone. I am also considering ordination, as I would love to start a church for those who are ill. Too many times they fall through the cracks because others get uncomfortable. I know this will take many years to realize, and cannot be done alone. Yet I believe God is faithful; the vision will become reality. In the meantime, I am focusing on getting myself well. I also have been considering some things I CAN do in the meantime which will complement the center. I have thought a lot about some kind of blanket, like a quilt that I could put motivational and/or comforting sayings on. There were so many nights that I would have liked such a blanket to hold on to. I really like the idea of the shawl, as well as the meaning/symbolism behind them. I do not know how to knit or crochet, but I am going to look for programs in my area. I am looking into the possibility of partnering with an Episcopal Retirement Home in town. I am sure there are some ladies there who know how to knit/crochet and can teach me! I think a mix of blankets and shawls would be wonderful, a gift from the heart. Thanks for opening my mind to new (old) ideas for ministry.
In Christ,
Adrienne Blue

"We make a living by what we get; We make a life by what we give." ~unknown
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July 2004

Hello!
Thank you so very much for the website to visit for the Prayer Shawl information. What a beautiful site! I am even more excited about getting this ministry started now. : )
Thank you for your part in being a "spark plug" to spreading this wonderful ministry.
Many Blessings!
Julie Brault
St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Gilman, IL

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June 2004

Hello! My name is Sandy Colby. I live in Milford, NH, and I am looking to see if three are any knitters or knitting circles that could help me with a project that is on my heart to help children that live in the Ukraine, former Soviet Union.

The church that I belong to, Grace Fellowship Church of Nashua, NH [ www.gracefellowship.org ] has networked to outreach at least 4 orphanages in the Western Ukraine. We participated in giving them Christmas boxes, and sent almost 500 "care packages to these kids. I had it in mind to knit for the three kids that we "adopted" for Christmas, I made each one a set of mittens, a scarf, a hat, and pair of slippers because the floors and orphanages are cold! You can see the picture of one of the kids that we "adopted" at:
http://www.gracefellowship.org/0402Ukpix225.html he's the little guy between two girls from our church that went with a team of folks. This picture was totally unplanned, and it certainly surprised me and made me cry! This little guy, according to the girl on the left, didn't know what to "do" with his package. He'd NEVER been given gifts.... as a mother of 4 healthy, well loved and cared for children, I cannot imagine! They had to TELL him over and over again, "This is for you! All of the stuff in here is just for you!" He didn't "get it" for a long time, so the girls took stuff out and showed him everything that was in the box and told him, "This is just for you!" Then, he cried! Each of the orphans was truly touched by our local church, and it was a privilege to be a small part of that.

This year, I'm knitting 6 sets of hats, scarves, mittens, and slippers for kids. It's on my heart to see if we can [as a group of folks--whoever has a burden for it] make 700 sets of hats, mittens, scarves, and slippers. The kids that are sent to one orphanage in Demboke' are "the unadoptables"--either kids that special needs or are just "too old" to adopt. The ones that are 14, 15, 16 are told to get ready to leave. They go from there into the streets and live lives that dogs shouldn't live! My hope is that this goal of 700 sets for children: infant, toddler, kindergarten through high school age [what Americans consider] are made to put in the boxes this year. What might be "leftover", we would give to the teens on the street and the former KGB officer that is trying to reach them and help them get their lives on track. What might be "leftover" from that would go to a village of Gypsies who all converted to Christianity--these are the "lowest of the low" and some folks that call themselves "Christians" won't even go near them! They also have nothing~

So, I guess I should just "say what I'm writing you for"...right?

I cannot POSSIBLY knit 700 sets of things by myself--by September! We just started a knitting group, but there are only four folks committed to helping right now. I realize that this is begging total strangers. Well, if it might help these kids, so be it! I am begging whoever might and whoever might have the heart to help reach out to children that do not have support systems like American children do. So, I am asking you if you might know any knitting clubs, circles, groups [whatever you call them] that might be able to join in this effort. If you know of any, could you copy and paste this and send it to them? I can guarantee that NOTHING will be kept or sold! NOTHING! This is an effort of love for humanity. In November, when another team goes over, we hope to have pictures posted again on the web page for people to see. If people do not knit, crochet or sew, they could send ANYTHING in excellent condition [nearly new--no noticeable hand-me-down] toward helping meet the goal.

If there's an interest, please send anything to:

The Tabitha Project
ATT'N: Sandy Colby
c/o Grace Fellowship Church of Nashua
34 Franklin Street
Nashua, NH 03064

or to my home:

Sandy Colby
18 High Street
Milford, NH 03055-3710

scolby@afo.net

Thank you for listening to my request for help! May the God of Heaven bless anyone that participates in any way, shape or form in the way that they need it most! May He hear your prayer and give you the desire of your heart's cry!

Sincerely Grateful for ANYTHING,

Sandy Colby

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Dear Bette,
I wanted to thank you for praying for our new prayer shawl ministry and let you know that there were 17 of us at the first meeting. Everyone is so excited. I had already made 2 shawls and we have had a request for a shawl and it will be delivered tomorrow to a mother who lost her daughter in a car accident while returning home from college. Both the mom and daughter shared the same birthday, May 7. God Bless you and thank you again for your web site and your prayers. Of course you may our story on the web site! We would feel so blessed! Wait 'till I tell the group!! Let me know when it is there!!

Linda Burkhardt and Clarice Lancaster
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
Davie, Florida

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We got a reprint of your article in the Lutheran from a fellow Lutheran from Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Los Alamos, New Mexico, Marge Rich. I thought you might like to know we are having an organizational meeting
at Kinsmen Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas to start a prayer shawl ministry here. We have three shawls done already, and hope we have a good turnout, Monday. I did as you suggested and put it in the Sunday Bulletin and it will be in the May Newsletter. One of the ladies ( whose husband will get a shawl unbeknownst to her ) has volunteered to teach new knitters. We have already had yarn and a few dollars donated. We put a receptacle in
the narthex for donations.

We are also going to probably knit some baby blankets as a Baptism gift in addition to the first Bible and wooden chest they receive. This idea came from our ladies Bible study! Of course, we will change our prayers to be for guidance, growth, and learning to know Christ, etc. And we don't have time to knit them before May 23, but our Women's Bible study group wants to give a prayer shawl to the graduating seniors of our church on that Sunday. ( We have 25 ). Therefore we bought fleece and cut them into stoles hat are 20"x60". Off white for the girls, soft gray for the boys. We will stencil a neat contemporary cross on the right chest ( just below the shoulder) so it shows, in green, our church color......to denote growth and life. These will be accompanied with a card with Jeremiah 29:11-12, on one page and the benediction on the facing page, and the front with the same cross as on their stoles. We have 25 graduating seniors, which is why we have a time crunch.

We are so excited about the response and enthusiasm of our group, and how it has just expanded before we even have started. Isn't God astounding? I am also grateful to Marge for telling me about this and giving me the information and her enthusiasm about their ministry at Bethlehem Lutheran.

QUESTION: I have just a few questions: Does the K3 P3 pattern represent the Trinity?
ANSWER: Yes, the K3 P3 pattern is symbolic of the Holy Trinity and as we knit we pray and reflect on the Triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.


QUESTION: Is it OK if we make our prayer shawls a little smaller, as we are all slow knitters, and what size would you suggest? We thought maybe cast on 48 stitches on 13 needles, and maybe only 5 feet long. Do you think that
is adequate?
ANSWER: Please feel free to be creative! Try using smaller or larger knitting needles or crochet hooks and see how the different needles produce different styles of prayer shawls. Also, try using various numbers of stitches - lengths and widths - using smaller or larger numbers of stitches as you cast on the first row of stitches. Each different number of stitches cast on the prayer shawl will produce a different width. Just remember to use multiples of three and that you begin and end with K3 for each row so the pattern K3 P3 K3 etc. . . will be carried out for each prayer shawl.


QUESTION: We are in Houston, where summer is greater than 95 degrees most of the time and spring and fall 70's and winter is 50's.
ANSWER: Try using larger needles (13 or greater) and this will produce a lighter, more open weave prayer shawl that will feel lighter and cooler in your lap as you knit and will not be as heavy or warm as you make the prayer shawl. Keep this in mind for the recipient as well - if someone lives in a warmer climate, use larger needles; if someone lives in a cooler climate, use smaller needles.


QUESTION: We have some bright red yarn. Are bright colors OK or do you think subdued colors are better? I know it probably depends on the recipient, so maybe overall it doesn't matter.
ANSWER: Using soft yarn, such as Lion Brand Homespun or soft baby yarn (sometimes I use two strands of baby yarn) is wonderful to use for those who are ill and it is easy to wash in a washing machine and can be dried in a dryer. It may be helpful to have five or six different yarn colors that you can offer and let the recipient choose which color she/he would prefer. You can see the yarn colors I use on the ordering page of this web site.


QUESTION: Any suggestions you have from your experience would be greatly appreciated, as we are feedings at this... but our hearts are willing.
ANSWER: This web site offers information that will help you to begin your prayer shawl ministry and there are helpful hints that others have shared with me that have been beneficial to their ministries. If you need any additional assistance, you can contact me at WaitingRoomMinistry@msn.com

Thank you for taking the time to help us, and please pray for our ministry to be of help and an inspiration for the recipients, and that God will be glorified as a part of this ministry. Thank you so much for answering so promptly. I will take this to our first meeting on Monday, May 4, 2004.

You certainly may use our story on your your website. We would be honored and it reflects how God's power is so infinitely multiplied. One of our ladies has a small prayer shawl she received from an Episcopalian friend, so you see your ministry is really like the ripples on the water!

Thank you for your prayers and blessings for our ministry and we will keep yours in our prayers.
Fondly.
Judy Clark
Spring, Texas

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I have cancer and received a wonderful prayer shawl from one of my
friends - I can't tell you how much peace and comfort it gives me. The
first few nights I used it, I cried, to think someone I had never met
worked so hard making the shawl for me and all the prayers were
overwhelming. After a few nights I realized I needed to make some
shawls to help other people. We are starting a new ministry at our
church and I have a few questions I hope you can answer for me. I
have made my first one for a very sick infant and I said the prayer
before knitting, and then I pray the rosary the whole time I am knitting.
Is that what you do? Also, how often do the ladies get together to
knit at church, and when does your priest bless them, at the meetings
or at mass? I haven't knit for many years and am having trouble with
the simple pattern -- do you knit 3, purl 3 for the first row and then
knit 6, purl 3 the next row? Thank you for any help you can give me
-- we will be starting our ministry Dec 2nd and am really looking forward
to it. Thank you for all your help. What a wonderful way to reach out to
others -- you can't imagine how powerful the shawls are until you have
been sick and received one. God Bless You.
Love, Colleen Claugherty, St Paul, Mn

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The prayer shawl ministry I started at our church has evolved into
three charity knitting groups in three different small towns. It was
easy to start the two new groups with just a couple of short
newspaper articles. Members are becoming friends and knitting caps,
scarves, blankets, mittens, and -- of course -- shawls.

Members of the original group continue to make and present shawls
within the church where the knitting circle began. In the two new groups,
which are not church-based, I have explained the prayer shawl concept
and handed out the prayers with the instructions. I've encouraged those
who make the shawls to present them to someone they know. If they
want to give them to me for distribution, I see that they get to a group
in Minnesota that is gathering shawls in memory of Senator Paul Wellstone
and his wife Sheila who were killed last fall in a plane crash. The shawls
are given to women who have lost a loved one to domestic violence.

Did you ever dream that the article in THE LUTHERAN would set off such
a chain of events all over the world? I hope you continue to be inspired by
the email you receive, and I hope you're still knitting!
May God continue to bless you and your work, Bette.

Your friend, Marge
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Good Shepherd Lutheran in Waukesha, Wisconsin, has a Health Ministry Team
(HMT) led by a nurse who has since become a parish nurse in another
congregation. Julie brought the idea of a prayer shawl ministry to the HMT,
and we've begun. One recent Sunday we dedicated 4 prayer shawls and gave one
immediately to a lady who d that day been able to return to worship after several
weeks absence because of illness. The following Thursday our prayer group laid
hands on and dedicated another shawl that Pastor delivered to a young man
recovering from a broken leg. The last Sunday in June we dedicated two more and
heard a report from a member of HMT who'd delivered one from the previous
dedication. Pastor Thomas-Breitfeld announced we'd dedicate prayer shawls the
last Sunday of each month, giving us yarn-workers notice we had a whole month
to complete another one. Sunday July 13 a man who'd received a prayer shawl
from the first group dedicated was able to be in worship and share his thanks for
the prayers and the prayer shawl from the congregation. I've knit one with a
circular needle and one with a straight rake knitter. I've crocheted several. I
plan to knit into my next one the faith statement: Everybody believes
something. I believe Jesus loves you, too. I'll use the dots and dashes of
international Morse code with figure-8 stitches for letters and straight
stitches for spaces. Thank you for sharing your idea and the stories from
other prayer shawl makers.
Blessings to you in your ministry,
Beth Hoffmann
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I am part of the health ministry team at Community Memorial Hospital in
Menomonee Falls, WI. Someone told us that they received a prayer shawl
while hospitalized. After looking into the prayer shawl ministry, we decided
to initiate one at our hospital. Initially, we received a grant for enough
yarn for 15 shawls. My supervisor and I made eight knitted prayer shawls.
We immediately found people who needed them. We involved our volunteer
services and met with 15 volunteers who were willing to knit or crochet
more shawls. Some of them reported that they are greatly moved by this
ministry. The shawls are being given away and the response of the
recipients are gratifying. We are applying for other grants to continue
supplying yarn to our volunteers.
Nancy Beauchamp
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Thank you so much for your prompt response - Our church is called
"Living Spirit" we are a United Methodist Congregation and are also
a very new church start - our first worship service was held
Dec. 2, 2001 - we meet for worship in an elementary school
auditorium - currently we have about 20 families who attend -
Our church is located in Exeter Township, PA - just south and east
of Reading, PA Before entering the ministry I was very much involved
in the women's group at my home church and in particular their
needlework circle - in that circle there are many knitters, crocheters,
and sewers - a large part of their ministry is supporting two clothing
rooms - the clothing rooms serve needy people and give out gently
used clothing to anyone who asks for it - the needlework circle
contributes the only new items available to clients at the clothing
rooms - since entering the ministry, of course, I have not been as
involved - but I have continued to make a few sweaters and hats to
contribute - I believe strongly in the power of prayer and many know
me as a fervent intercessor and prayer warrior - in our new
congregation we are entering a season of teaching on prayer and its
foundational importance - I am trying to instill in folk the idea of
"praying constantly" and am always on the look-out for ways to add
prayer to something we are already doing - and I try to lead by
example - my congregation knows that I knit to relax - not only will
knitting a prayer shawl add to my devotional time but it will also
serve as a teaching tool for the congregation God has blessed me
with - I already know who will receive the first shawl - her name
came immediately to mind as I read the article - a member of my
congregation is in stage 3 cancer - she is going through very rigorous
and aggressive chemo therapy and is very sick - the second shawl
will go to her adult daughter who has been plunged into depression
because of the sudden idea that she may soon lose her mother
(her father died when she was only 12 and it has been the two of
them ever since) - they both know that I pray for them and they
say that the knowledge of that brings them comfort - but being able
to physically wrap up in that comfort seems incredible - thank you
for this beautiful idea! and for so willingly sharing it with others!
May God continue to bless you and your ministry!
Claire Mullarkey
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You must continue to be overwhelmed by requests concerning
his spiritual outreach--------indeed the world is hurting and a prayer shawl
brings comfort and Christian love in a very special way. Our group of 14
knitters began in January and have shared 30 shawls--- the receivers most
grateful and comforted! We who knit have found it meditative and enriching
to our spiritual lives. Thank you-------God has guided you to a wonderful
ministry of caring. Because we have the prayer ministry on our web-site
-------it has been amazing to have requests from all over the country
for how to begin this ministry-----we refer them to you. May God continue
to bless you------
Marilyn Waehler/St Paul Lutheran Church, Arlington, Ma
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My sister in Austin, TX sent a shawl made in Florida to our dying cousin
in Jackson, WY. After Melanie died, I brought the shawl to my friend Janice,
whose Jewish husband of 40 years was dying of cancer. She put it on the
pillow the morning he died. It is bringing her great comfort now in her own
grieving process. She wears it around her shoulders as she says her prayers.
The evenings are especially difficult and that is a time when her shawl is
very dear to her. She plans on giving it to someone else when she doesn't
need it any longer. Now, she and another Bible Study partner are interested
in making and sharing prayer shawls...
Thank you for your beautiful ministry.
In peace,
Diane Pritchard Grand Lake, CO
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I thought I would touch base with you and let you know that our
Prayer Shawl ministry has blossomed to a wonderful witness to our Lord
and Savior. We have given 44 Prayer Shawl and Prayer blankets to date.
We began in February of 2002. This ministry has surpassed our wildest
dreams. We have had the opportunity to share the Lord's gifts with
many Lutherans and other Christians. Our small knitting corps, has
expressed their comfort in preparing these shawls. Thank you for your
article that brought this idea to us.
Debbee, Resurrection Lutheran Church of Coronado, CA

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I am writing to share just one of the stories we have about our new
prayer shawl ministry. We gave our first shawl to our pastor on
Feb. 23 and in the 5 weeks since then we have 11 creators of
shawls who have created 17 shawls that have blessed many in
our congregations.

We are so full of awe and joy in every aspect of this ministry.
One lady has made 5 in about 2 weeks. She just loves doing them.
They have been given in many circumstances from a very ill baby
to the president of our congregation to a man who died only a few
hours after receiving his. His last words as he left his home to go
to the hospital were, "Where's my prayer shawl. Get my prayer
shawl." Every aspect, praying over them, creating them, giving
them, receiving them, sharing the love of Christ through them in
cancer treatment waiting rooms, buying gift bags and the yarn
to make them---everyone is blessed.

Thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you to bring
this opportunity to share Christ's love!

Now here is a letter we received this week from a 26 yr.-old blind
young lady (as a result of illness)in our church. She attends worship
regularly, getting about thru the use of a cane and the supportive
arm of her mother. It is hand printed, looking much like a child's
script, so I feel certain she wrote it herself.

"Dear Prayer Shawl Team Makers,

I want to thank you for the beautiful shawl. I may not be able to
physically see it, but I see the beauty it has that is not seen with the
eyes. It has been described to me so I have seen it physically in my
mind. The shawls are full of beauty that is not seen with the eyes
because they are filled with love and this is what I see every time I
use it. Since I am always cold I've used it several times in the short
time I've had it. This shawl fills me with love and warmth and I thank
you for all your prayers. Your thoughts, concerns, and prayers are
greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for everything.
Thank you again. Kandi"

The prayers team members feel incredibly blessed that God would
lead us to this ministry.

So just wanted to tell how things have been going for us and
to say thank you.

Shalom--

Marilyn Jaster

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Thank you for your reply with great information and direction.
I just placed an order for a back issue of Pray! Magazine so I can
read the article that features you. I would like to have that in hand
as I begin this ministry. I believe our first meeting will be in April
and I think I will have a morning and a night meeting to catch more
people who might be interested.

I think your website was the most helpful of all I found last night
as I did searches on the internet. Thank you for sharing so orderly
how one can begin this ministry and how to knit/crochet such
shawls as well as how to give them away.
I can't wait to discover new friends and ministry through this craft.
In Him with you,
Denise
Tulsa, OK

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More than a year ago, you were kind enough to send me directions
for your prayer shawl. I thought you might be interested to know
that my first prayer shawl had a wonderful "pay if forward" affect.

I have now made several, mostly for friends (and some strangers)
undergoing breast cancer surgery and chemotherapy. Four of them
have gone on to make shawls for others in their cancer support
groups. In fact, when I stopped by the place where I have my film
developed the other day - there was my third prayer shawl recipient
knitting away. She was working on her fifth prayer shawl!

Even though knitting is not a very "California" thing, several others
in my church have asked me to teach them to knit just so they could
make a prayer shawl for someone. It has also been an interesting
evangelism tool - I take my knitting to my children's sports practices
and the kids are fascinated by what I am doing.

So, I just thought you might like to know of the many blessings the
prayer shawl has brought to me and many others way out here in
Southern California.

Blessings to you!
Linda Howard
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Just a year ago I began the prayer shawl ministry at our church.
Last week I presented the twenty-fifth shawl from our group.
The recipient, who was facing back surgery and is an artist,
cried because she said no one ever makes beautiful things for
her because they are afraid they won't be good enough.
She found my humble shawl beautiful and hung on for dear
life. How your idea has spread and spread and blessed a
world so in need of love and healing. May God continue
to bless you and the shawls, dear Bette.
Your friend,
Marge Lundeen
St. John's Lutheran Church, Howard Lake, MN
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Many thanks for your blessings and information about the Prayer
Shawls. This morning at our 10:15 service, five prayer shawls were
blessed in a lovely simple ceremony. Following, many people shared
their interest, some with desire to participate, others wishing to have
shawls for someone they know. The word is spreading, and it is great
to know that others will be comforted by this ministry.
We are including the crochet pattern in our Prayer Shawl Packet.
Thank you.
Blessings,
Edie-Ellen Newburyport, MA
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ST. PETERS LUTHERAN, CAPE COD -
OCTOBER 13, 2002 MINISTRY DEDICATION

We began to plant seed
thoughts back in the spring, and now have 22 women involved
in knitting and 15 shawls completed. We have just developed a
prayer card to go along with our gifts and have identified 4 teams
of 2 who will make the visits and deliver our prayer shawls / lap
blankets. What a variety, showing the individuality of each knitter.
I am on staff as AIM and serving to coordinate this ministry.
It has grown out of our formulation of a Pastoral Care Team that
was formulated a year and a half ago. May God continue to bless
you in your serving.

We had our service of blessing for our shawl ministry yesterday at
both services, on Sunday, October 13, 2002. Thanks to your input
I created a litany that our pastor and I did with congregation
responses. We did this after I shared some information on the
development of the ministry, then I read the names of those who
were participating in the ministry, those who have knitted and those
who will be on the visitation teams. It was beautiful to see 18 mantles
of healing draped across out altar rails and then at the second service
4 more shawls were brought to worship. We also gained 2 more knitters
yesterday, one a new young Mom, who wants to learn to knit and have
already paired her up with someone who is ready to teach and support.
The other new knitter is a woman who worships regularly but hasn't
chosen to join, have difficulty letting go of her present home
congregation which is off Cape. The ministry is opening up an opportunity
for us to get to know her better. My spirit is warmed with the possibilities
for ministry that lie ahead. There was also a visiting pastor, who wanted
information, said she thought the time "was right" to introduce the ministry
to her congregation in up state NY. So I will send all the info we have
developed to her. God bless you in your continued out reach and serving.

In Christ
Nancy Emerson, AIM
St. Peters Lutheran Church
Cape Cod

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Our church has tons of quilters (with a huge quilting mission)
and relatively none who crochet or knit. So, I've been crocheting
prayer shawls on an individual basis for a few people. I've done
several for new babies and just finished one for a man in our
congregation that was recently widowed. It is nice to sit and
think about someone and "weave" the prayers into the work.
Crocheting always was relaxing for me... now it is even more
rewarding. I'm thinking about doing a "winter school"
(our church does this in February so that people who have
talents can share/ teach them to other members of the congregation)
and teaching crochet - with either a prayer shawl as the project
for a local relief agency - or- Lutheran World Relief has a project
to do layette kits for newborns in refugee camps. You put together
diapers and a few other necessities with a knitted/crocheted baby
blanket and a sweater. I guess our project may take a life of its
own, but I'm glad to do it any way that works!

Kathy Knox
St. Paul's Lutheran, Oklahoma City

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A Prayer Shawl Ministry

On Easter Monday, I got a phone call from my brother,
Mark, with the news that our other brother had been severely
injured in a motorcycle accident Easter Sunday evening. He was
going back into surgery to repair a torn aorta. Only 1% of folks
with a torn aorta survive, we were told. The need for this
surgery became evident when Colin came out of his first surgery
to repair a broken leg. When he awoke, he no longer had any
feeling below his waist. Tests revealed the torn aorta and a
dissection of the artery which had prevented blood flow to the
legs. The news was not good. As my mother and I made plans to
fly to Colorado Springs, I made a trip to the craft store to
buy yarn and that night I started a prayer shawl for Colin.
By Wednesday we were in Colorado and the shawl was about 1/3
completed. Over the next week, as Colin went in and out of
surgery, fighting for survival, the knitting helped me find
peace. The litany of In the Name of God, the creator, giver
of life, keeper! of time... gave me all sorts of new thoughts
in thinking about our Triune God, and the roles each part of
the Trinity plays. I found the pattern of knit 3, purl 3,
taking on the mantra of the Trinity. The knitting became a
ministry in the waiting room of the ICU unit. As people asked
me what I was making, I shared that I was knitting the prayers
of the people into a prayer shawl for Colin. The shawl became
a symbol for others waiting with us. Knit faster, Keep knitting
became words of encouragement for the visible actions of our
prayers. When Colin had to have both legs amputated, the
knitting went on. I finished the shawl the day before Mom and
I had to leave to go back home. Colin was not conscious when I
left the shawl for him on his bedside with a note describing
the prayers it contained. Mom and I had not been home more than
a week when another call came this time it was the local hospital
my mother had suffered a heart attack. Another trip to the craft
store and another shawl was started. Another ministry was begun
in the Cardiac Care unit. Now, I have good news to share! My
mother is doing well. A stent put in during angioplasty surgery
has opened up the blockage. She did not suffer heart damage
during the attack. And after two months in the ICU room, Colin
was moved to the rehab floor to begin the hard work of
regaining lost muscle strength and learning new skills for
mobility. We praise God for His miracles. For keeping time
for us, for sending the comforter and consoler, and for His
son Jesus, savior and healer. I also thank God for Bette's
ministry and the many blessings discovered through
knitting a prayer shawl.
Diane Kauffman

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Since The Lutheran ran its article on your prayer shawl ministry,
my church, Pilgrim Lutheran in Puyallup, Washington has organized
a women's circle with the project of knitting prayer shawls. There
are eight of us with more knitting who cannot come to our once a
month gatherings. We have given away 15 prayer shawls so far to
hurting people from age 94 to 14 who are struggling with grief,
cancer, depression and chronic illness. What a blessing it has been
for us to be involved in this wonderful way to spread God's love
and care.
In April I attended a Parish Nurse Coordinator meeting in
Beaverton, Oregon and I shared t