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The Shawl Ministry

March 6, 2007 by Laura Nixon

Sometimes you find the most interesting thing when you search the internet on certain words. I found the following information and article at Beliefnet. This article talks about knitting and prayer.

People of different faiths are discovering that crafts like knitting can be a form of prayer or meditation.

On Sunday, some people go to church to worship. On Saturday, some go to church to [tag]knit[/tag].

“We are knitting prayers into [tag]shawl[/tag]s to bless those who will receive them,” said Julie Tampa, one of 40 women who show up, knitting needles in hand, to spend two hours each weekend knitting and praying at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in the Great Valley in Paoli, Penn. “It is a time to become aware of God’s presence and God’s grace.”

Tampa and perhaps thousands of others are participants in what has come to be known as [tag]The Shawl Ministry[/tag], a new way the faithful serve the less fortunate by [tag]knitting[/tag] or [tag]crocheting[/tag] warm, colorful shawls they hope will literally wrap them in prayer.

As with other crafting-for-charity programs, like those that make blankets for Afghans, chemo caps for cancer patients, or toys for premature babies, the [tag]Shawl Knitting Ministry[/tag] works to help people in crisis-such as unwed mothers, migrant workers, and victims of domestic violence. But there is something else going on here.

In 1998, Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo, two graduates of the 1997 Women’s Leadership Institute at The Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut gave birth to a ministry as a result of their experience in this program of applied [tag]Feminist Spirituality[/tag] under the direction of Professor [tag]Miriam Therese Winter[/tag], MMS. Compassion and the love of knitting/crocheting have been combined into a prayerful ministry and spiritual practice which reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace, as well as in celebration and joy. Many blessings are prayed into every shawl.

Whether they are called[tag] Prayer Shawls[/tag], Comfort Shawls, Peace Shawls, or [tag]Mantles[/tag], etc., the shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient. The intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Upon completion, a final blessing is offered before the shawl is sent on its way. Some recipients have continued the kindness by making a shawl and passing it onto someone in need. Thus, the blessing ripples from person-to-person, with both the giver and receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of a sheltering, mothering God!

At the Shaw Ministry site you will find many helpful links including patterns, prayers and ideas on how to start a Shaw Ministry in your area.

 

Looking to chat about Knitting and Patterns? Check out our Facebook Knitting page and our Facebook group dedicated to Knitting and Knitting Patterns.

Looking for more amazing shawl patterns? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Looking for more Chemo supplies, Check out these Chemo friendly low irritant body products Gentle on the skin

This chemo cap is knitted in the round  and has a roller brim, This chemo cap is knitted in the round and is ridged with a small rim. We have some other patterns for knitted chemo caps too, check them out here.

One Ball Knitted Chemo Cap beanie

Rolled brim Chemo Cap

Visit our charity crafts page for listings of groups in your area who collect and donate these knitted items to charity.

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