Prayer Shawl Ministry
ADMINISTERED THROUGH PARISH NURSE MINISTRY OF PRAIRIE FAITH
SEE CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW
“Shawls … made for centuries universal and embracing, symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving, God.
The wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter and beautify.
Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if give wings to fly above their troubles…”
Written in 1998 by: Janet Severi Bristow Copyright© 2016
The Prayer Shawl
Over the centuries, shawls have come to symbolize shelter, peace and spiritual sustenance. Since the inception of the Prayer Shawl Ministry in 1998 by Janet Severi Bristow and Victoria Galo, two graduates of the 1997 Women’s Leadership Institute at The Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut, the members of this organization have lovingly donated their time and talents by creating hand-knitted and crocheted shawls, filled with the power of prayer, for those in need.
The blessing of the Prayer Shawl provides healing and comfort to the sick, the lonely and the elderly, or shares in the accomplishment of the graduate, newlywed, and newborn. Like all acts of generosity, the presentation of a Prayer Shawl enriches the giver as well as the recipient.
The shawl is one more physical aid to praying – like prayer beads and candles, like pinwheels and sandboxes. The meaning is this: someone prays while making a shawl, sewing, knitting, crocheting. The shawl is given to someone who needs to be reminded of God’s blessing along with the narrative of prayerful creation. The recipient then uses the shawl in the ways that are personally helpful.
Sharing Your Gifts
- You may use one of your own favorite patterns, download a pattern from the Prairie Faith web site, contact the church office and patterns can be mailed to you or stop by the office and pick one up. We have patterns for knitting, crocheting, and quilting. The following sizes are only suggestions to give you a starting place. Shawls fit everyone!!
- Prayer shawls for ladies should be approximately 22” – 35” wide and 52” – 72” long (length does not include fringe).
- Prayer shawls for gentlemen should be approximately 30” – 40” wide and 64” – 72” long (length does not include fringe).
- Prayer shawls for children should be approximately 36” long and15” – 20” wide for children 2-5 years, and proportionally larger for older children
- Prayer shawls for infants, younger than 2 years, should be made as a blanket, approximately 36” square.When your prayer shawl is completed you may drop them off at the church office or someone will pick it up, if needed. A final blessing will be offered before it is given to the recipient.
- The shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient. The intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl.
Lots of free patterns for knitting and crocheting can be found on www.ravelry.com
You do need to sign up for Ravelry but there is no cost involved.
Contact Information:
Parish Nurse Ministry
338 N. 7th
WaKeeney, KS 67672
785-743-2005
Email: parishnurse@ruraltel.net
If you know of someone that is need of a prayer shawl, please contact the church office at the above number or send an email.
We accept donations of yarn and material as well as monetary donations for the purchase of supplies.
