Handout

Knitting And Crocheting Ministry

Needed: shawls, afghans, baby blankets, lap blankets, scarves and hats, socks, stuffed animals, and . . . ???

To comfort and support anyone in illness, grief, stress, or need;

To celebrate engagements, marriages, births, birthdays, anniversaries, baptismal days, graduations, recovery from illness;

To aid in prayer or meditation;

And, above all, to express our love for our brothers and sisters and our willingness to pray actively for them through the work of our hands.

Those who join in this ministry begin each project with prayers and blessings for the recipient and continue to pray as they work. When the project is finished, it is blessed at the altar and given as a gift.

You created every part of me, knitting me in my mother's womb.
For such handiwork, I praise you. Awesome is this great wonder.

 (Psalm 139: 13-14)

Prayers

A Blessing of Stoles

(A blessing by Fr. Ingeman)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

All that God has created and sustains, all the events He guides, and all human works that are good and have good purpose, prompt those who believe to praise and bless the Lord with hearts, hands, and voices.

He is the origin of every blessing. We proclaim our belief that all things work together for the good of those who fear and love God. We are sure that in all things we must seek the help of God, so that in complete reliance on His will we may in Christ do everything to His glory.

Lord, let your blessing be upon this [stole] and upon the one who will wear it. Give [her] new life and strength and spirit so that the power of your love will enable [her] to accomplish what is right and good.

May God, who is blessed above all, bless you in all things through Christ so that all things will work together for good.

And may almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Amen. 

A Gift Card

Here is a card that I used with the gift of a stole. We may want to find or write a prayer to attach to each item. I have “Made with love” labels, and we may want to create our own).

Dear _____,

May this shawl keep you

in comfort and in peace ,

May it sustain and embrace you,

And may it remind you that

we are all wrapped in God’s love.

On-line Resources

Shawl Ministry Home Page: http://www.shawlministry.com/

This page describes the history of the Shawl Ministry begun in 1998 by Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo, graduates of the 1997 Women's Leadership Institute at The Hartford Seminary in Connecticut. It also contains links to prayers, patterns, and other resources.

 Lion Brand Free Patterns:  http://www.lionbrand.com

A treasure trove of patterns and advice on both knitting and crocheting.

 The Craft Yarn Council: http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/

A really useful site. At the top of the home page, click on Free Projects or on Learn How.

 SearchBug: http://www.searchbug.com/directory.aspx/Arts/Crafts/

This is a huge list of links to on-line patterns and information about all crafts.

 Other on-line resources?? Please let me know and I’ll add them to the list.