The Shawl Ministry is just that – a ministry. It is one of healing, love and prayer.
Completed shawls are blessed at an annual St. Luke’s healing service in October, and distributed to those who are ill, homebound or otherwise in need of comfort and strength.
The group meets in the Reception Room of each church (Atonement – October and May; St. Paul’s Englewood – November through April). For more information, please call Roberta Roshong at 201-501-0424.
History:
The concept of groups of women sewing, quilting or knitting for the benefit of those in need is as old as womankind itself. More specifically, the Shawl-Knitting Ministry with its particular pattern of prayer and sharing was begun around ten years ago by two graduates of the hartford Seminary: Vicky Galo and Janet Bristow. Having encountered the empowerment and wisdom of the archetype, the Divine Feminine, they wanted to develop a project which could carry on the spirit of all they had learned. So began the Shawl-Knitting Ministry. the first recipients were new mothers and women with breast cancer…little by little small clusters of women were gathering to knit shawls for warming chilled shoulders during spiritual direction, for embracing broken hearts, calming worried souls and filling emptiness with fullness. Why knitting? One woman comments: “Knitting is the simplest and most ordinary of activities, yet somehow it mysteriously contains within itself the potential for expanding our conscious awareness.” Also, by its nature, while a solitary, contemplative act, knitting cannot help but be communal. You cannot knit without thinking of someone else: either the person for whom you are knitting, the person who taught you, or someone you just saw wearing a sweater you’d like to try. And you cannot learn to knit without sitting side-by-side with someone to show you, no matter how many books there are.
What you need:
- Three skeins of Lion Brand Homespun wool (any color)
- A pair of Size 11 o 13 needles
- A willingness to learn
We have a number of instructors who are more than happy to teach. If you already know how to knit, you will love the opportunity to use your craft to uplift someone’s spirits or share their joy. And the evening itself is warm and welcoming. For more information, call the church office at 201-568-1763.