Prayer Shawl Ministry celebrates 5th birthday!

The Prayer Shawl Ministry group is now five years old.  The first shawl was presented March 11,  2007 and the ministry continues to be a very appreciated outreach of Kamloops United with approximately 150 shawls having been created and presented.

Our little group has about 15 women who gather in the lounge at 1:30 on the second Monday of each month to knit or crochet.  The group discusses and chooses who would be a deserving recipient of a shawl.  Our time together has blessed us with loving friendships that have resulted from this ministry.

We have shared shawls for many reasons including illness, bereavement, celebrations, honour for service, facing life’s challenges and changes (such as moving from a home of many years to a care facility or a new community).

The recipients are not necessarily members of KUC, but often are connected with people in our church community or our community at large.  All recipients have expressed appreciation for the caring and comfort that the shawl brought to their life.

Depending on the situation the shawl may be a friendship shawl, caring shawl, or a prayer shawl but the common thread is that they have been knit or crocheted with a lot of caring, love and prayers woven in to the stitches.  Many have expressed a feeling of caring they get when cuddling the shawl, often in a moment of loneliness or sadness.  For many it has become a very important companion in their life journey.

Some people say they “do not deserve a shawl” but the truth is ALL PEOPLE deserve one and they are given in love to support, to encourage and to celebrate.

You’re invited!

We welcome anyone who likes to knit/crochet or would like to learn!  We have had a few beginner knitters and they are thrilled when they master the art of knitting and the recipient is also thrilled to be gifted with the knitter’s first project.

We also welcome gifts of soft yarn, and we keep our eyes on thrift store donations, too.  Our budget of $100 per year helps with our yarn purchases.

What some recipients of a Prayer Shawl have said:

• “When I received my shawl I realized how many friends I’ve gained at KUC.”
• “It will be a great comfort.”
• “It is a wonderful gift and fits my handicapped chair.”
• “The lovely Prayer Shawl is a tangible part of the prayers for my good health offered by the group.”
• “I’ll cherish this gift always.”

• “The warmth and prayers will stay in my heart forever.”
• “The words spoken and the words in the card are very humbling.”
• “Your love and prayers that came with the shawl are both comforting and energizing.”
• “I feel very loved and special as I sit in my chair wrapped in your love and prayers.”
• “It is a visual reminder to me that indeed there are hosts of angels walking this earth!”
• “It gives me trust for today and hope for tomorrow.”

What knitters say, or think, as they create a Prayer Shawl:

“When I was ill my Prayer Shawl surrounded me with love, support and comfort.  When I knit a shawl it is my hope the recipient will feel the same.”

 ”I always receive a hug at a shawl presentation, however the hugs continue and continue for months after, giving me a warm, fuzzy feeling.”

“As I was knitting a shawl for a person with Parkinson’s, who is a relative, my thoughts were of our relationship over the many years and how she has coped with her illness.”

“As I knit, I feel sad if the person is going through health problems.  I know the shawl I’m knitting will give them comfort and the feeling that someone has cared.”

“One shawl I knit for ‘recognition’ soon became a ‘comfort’ shawl as the recipient struggled with a persistent flu bug.  It was reported to me what a comfort it was during her recovery.”

“Usually I know the person I am knitting for, however if I don’t, I pray the recipient will feel the prayers and support I have knit into the shawl every day.”

“Knitting a shawl is an ongoing experience.  The gift will affect all the members of a family following presentation, as our family did when Mom received hers.”

“At one point, the daughter of the shawl recipient wrapped the shawl around her shoulders and experienced the prayers, love and support that was knit into the shawl for her Mom.”

“My Mom’s shawl was passed on to my daughter following her Grandma’s death.  A few years later the shawl was passed on again when tragedy surrounded a close friend.  I am sure a Prayer Shawl gathers more prayers and love as it comforts and warms.”