Prayer Shawl

The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the second and fourth Friday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in Room 5. 

What is a Prayer Shawl?
A prayer shawl is a hand-crafted shawl that is a spiritual practice for the crafter. A prayer is said as the shawl is begun and then many prayers are added with the stitches. Most of the time the recipient is unknown, but the recipient receives the message that many people have been praying for him or her and will continue to do so. The prayer shawl gives someone a tangible example of God’s love and care. The recipient can wrap up in the shawl and feel God’s arms around him or her.

To whom do we minister?
Those in need of strength while undergoing medical procedures; those in need of comfort after a loss; those in need of peace and patience during an illness and recovery; those in celebration of graduation, a marriage or a birth of a child. There are endless possibilities!

How do I take part in this great ministry?
Anyone can join a prayer shawl ministry! If the concept of creating a garment with such meaning appeals to you, consider joining our ministry. The ministry team is made up of a group of dedicated people (not always just women) who get together at regular intervals to create shawls. We meet regularly to share tips, to pray and to help each other, and to enjoy fellowship. If you cannot attend meetings, you can make your shawls at home and send them to the group for dedication. Also, if you are experienced in quilting, weaving or another fiber art, join this ministry and make shawls using your skill!

What if I’m not crafty but I want to help?
If you don’t feel called to actually make the Prayer Shawls, you can get involved in other ways. Material and monetary donations are always accepted. The supplies for one shawl can cost as much as $25, so your donations help us purchase yarn and supplies to continue making and delivering shawls.

Prayer Shawls for Fallen Soldiers

In 2006, Cozette Haggerty joined a local prayer shawl group after her daughter began her second tour of duty in Iraq. She began knitting prayer shawls for the wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Soon the chaplain at Walter Reed was receiving hundreds of request for prayer shawls, so the mother contacted other prayer shawl ministries to request help.

Prayer Shawls for Fallen Soldiers (PS4FS) eventually evolved as concern turned toward the families who have sacrificed all. The late Senator Ted Kennedy helped the group obtain clearance to receive the list of Army casualties. PS4FS was soon up and running with thousands of families to contact. Just as this part of the Program was completed in 2009, Dover Air Base asked if prayer shawls could be delivered to the base to hand out to families who traveled there to witness the Dignified Transfer of their loved ones. The gifts warm the families as they walk out to the base’s tarmac, and they give them a lasting memory that Americans care about their loss. The Dover Program is delivering prayer shawls to families from the Navy, Marines, and Army. Hopefully, the Air Force will soon be included. From the efforts and prayers of one woman, 256 prayer shawl ministry groups now contribute to PS4FS.

For more information, please visit: charter.net/ps4fs/shawls/