St. John the Apostle Prayer Shawl Ministry

 

The Prayer Shawl Ministry at St. John the Apostle began in June of 2012.  We meet on Friday in the church library at 1:00pm.

 

We are looking for people who like to crochet, knit or quilt. We will be making shawls, lap blankets, and baby blankets. If you would like to learn how to knit or crochet, there is someone available to teach. 

What are prayer shawls?

A prayer shawl is a way to reach out to others who are hurting or a way to let someone know that you are thinking of them. We make prayer shawls for three different reasons: for someone who has lost a close family member; for someone who is suffering thru a long-term illness; and for when a baby is baptized.

 

A prayer shawl meeting begins with a prayer, both for ourselves and for the recipient of our creations. A final blessing of the prayer shawl is given by a priest. When the person wraps oneself in a prayer shawl, it serves as a reminder of the mercy, peace, and compassion that can be found in God’s loving embrace.

 

Do I have to attend meetings?

No. It is not necessary to attend any meetings of the Prayer Shawl Ministry. The purpose of the meetings is simply to give us the opportunity to enjoy fellowship with each other and to knit and crochet. It also gives newcomers to knitting a chance to get started. Most of the knitting and crocheting takes place at home.

 

If you would like to join our ministry but can’t come to meetings, contact Beth Mobley (812-935-6141). We will send you a packet of information about the ministry, including a few of the prayers that can be used before you start knitting at home. Then when your prayer shawl is complete, it can be brought to the church to be blessed and given away. 

 

How can I help?

If you would like to help but don’t knit, crochet, or quilt, there are other ways you can get involved.

 

If you have a yarn stash you would like to share with us, donations are gladly accepted. If you wish to go out and purchase new yarn, please purchase 4-5 skeins (or approximately 740-1000 yards) of the same color/dye lot of soft, washable yarn. Homespun yarns are especially beautiful as shawls. And as always, the most important thing you can do to help this ministry is to keep us in your prayers.

 

During the past two and a half years, we have given away over 100 prayer shawls, lap blankets and baby blankets.  They have been given to parishioners who are in nursing homes, who are ill, who are mourning the loss of a loved one. They are also given at baptisms and occasionally at confirmations.



 

Before each meeting of the Prayer Shawl Ministry, we pray:

 

Dear Lord, Bless these needles that they stay strong and light

 so they don’t tire the hands that wield them;
 

Bless this yarn with strength and softness that it will form

 a cloth of warmth and comfort;
 

Bless these hands with strength and skill so they may make

 well crafted gifts;
 

Bless this heart with strength and perseverance so I will see this work through to bring comfort to those in need;
 

But most of all, dear Lord, Bless the wearer of this cloth 

with strength and comfort that their burdens may be lightened 

and their hearts gladdened with the realization that they are love.

 

Psalm 90:17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us and confirm for us the work of our hands;
yes, confirm the work of our hands.