SJA Shawl Ministry Brochure
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Prayer Shawl Ministry “For you yourself created my inmost parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will thank you because I am marvelously made; your works are wonderful, and I know it well.” Psalm 139:12-13 (BCP 794) A prayer shawl or prayer cover is meant to bring comfort to the wearer, and to inspire an awareness of God’s presence in our daily lives. God knows our deepest needs, and we trust in God’s promise to sustain us. The person who creates the shawl offers prayers and intentions for the future recipient while knitting. They may or may not know the recipient’s name or circumstances, but every stitch is combined with prayer specifically for them. Whether in times of distress or moments of joy, the prayer shawl can be a reminder of God’s love and grace. When it rests on someone’s shoulders it is a tangible sign that they are covered in prayer by many. Prayers before beginning Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Almighty God, whose loving hand has given us all that we posess and prepared us for every good work: Grant that the making of this prayer shawl may bring me closer to you, that it may be a means of supporting another and sharing with them in the assurance of your love and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For a selection of prayers and thanksgivings for use on numerous occaisons, or to use as a prompt for offering other prayers to God, take a look at the Book of Common Prayer, page 810 ST. JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA
Transcript of SJA Shawl Ministry Brochure
PrayerShawl
Ministry
“For you yourself created my inmost parts; you knit me together
in my mother’s womb.I will thank you because I am
marvelously made; your works are wonderful, and I know it well.”
Psalm 139:12-13 (BCP 794)
A prayer shawl or prayer cover is meant to bring comfort to the wearer, and to inspire an awareness of God’s presence in our daily lives. God knows our deepest needs, and we trust in God’s promise to sustain us.
The person who creates the shawl offers prayers and intentions for the future recipient while knitting. They may or may not know the recipient’s name or circumstances, but every stitch is combined with prayer specifically for them.
Whether in times of distress or moments of joy, the prayer shawl can be a reminder of God’s love and grace. When it rests on someone’s shoulders it is a tangible sign that they are covered in prayer by many.
Prayersbeforebeginning
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Almighty God, whose loving hand has given us all that we posess and prepared us for every good work: Grant that the making of this prayer shawl may bring me closer to you, that it may be a means of supporting another and sharing with them in the assurance of your love and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a selection of prayers and thanksgivings for use on numerous occaisons, or to use as a prompt for offering other prayers to God, take a look at the Book of Common Prayer, page 810
ST. JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA
Some uses for the shawlIn 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 Feminist Spirituality under the direction of Professor Miriam Therese Winter, MMS.
Care and the love of knitting (and crochet) have been combined into a prayerful ministry that reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace. Many blessings are knitted into every shawl. The knitter begins each shawl with prayers for the recipient. Intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. When the shawl is completed it is offered a final ritual before being sent along its way.
As this gift has been sent along, some recipients have continued the kindness by making one themselves and passing it onto someone in need.
Thus, the blessing is rippled from person to person, with both the giver and receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of a sheltering, mothering God!
Besides knit and crochet; the shawls can be woven, sewn, quilted, machine knitted, etc.
About The Shawls "Shawls ... made for centuries universal and embracing,symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving, God.
They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, givesolace, mother, hug,shelter and beautify.
Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to fly above their troubles…”
Janet Bristow -1998 ©Copyright 2009
Undergoing medical procedures; as a comfort after a loss, during bereavement, prayer or meditation, commitment or marriage ceremonies, birthing, nursing a baby; as a bridal shower gift; leading ritual; first menses or croning rites of passage, during an illness and recovery; ministering to others or just socializing...
There are endless possibilities!
To make a shawl personal, the giver or the recipient may want to adorn the shawl with beads, shells, feathers and charms. A blessing may be offered when the gift is presented.
The Prayer Shawl ministry
This ministry was started here at St. Joseph’s by Julie Burton, Thelma Fontain and Mary Heeks. If you would like more information about how you can be involved, please speak with them, or email the church office (office@mysja) and ask for the date and time of the next meeting.
Shawl Ministry Website: www.shawlministry.com
