“If I fly with the wings of dawn and a light beyond the sea, Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand hold me fast.” -Psalm 139:9-10
About The Items of Comfort
Has not yet resumed after coronavirus restrictions. The Good Shepherd Parish Shawl Ministry began in August of 2006. Over 100 beautiful knitted and crocheted shawls have been distributed throughout our parish and the community to men, women and children, joyfully given by the less than 20 members who have created them. Also, we have made and delivered hundreds of prayer squares to our Military.
Ministry members meet monthly at the Parish Center to share projects and pray over the shawls or other comfort items they have created. The participants of our ministry consist of those seasoned and those willing to learn. All are welcome. Willing hands and hearts is all that is needed.
Anyone may request a shawl for someone, when they know of someone who would benefit from a gift of prayer. As the comfort items are sent along, the blessing is rippled from person to person, with both the giver and the receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of a loving God!
“Part of the journey of prayer and faith is to recognize that we may never know how our love and care will touch or change another person’s life. Instead, we are invited to offer others our compassion and let God do the rest. There is an old saying: “Our hands are God’s hands.” Through the shawl ministry, we can learn to trust the truth that God works through us when we care for friends and strangers alike.” ……
Knitting Into the Mystery by Susan S. Izard & Susan S. Jorgensen
Shawls…made for centuries universal and embracing; Symbolic of an inclusive unconditionally loving, God. They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, 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…
People knit shawls for many different reasons. Shawls celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, friendship, love, professional and personal achievements. If one could wear the heartfelt sentiments often found in a greeting card, it would be as a shawl. Shawls console those who are grieving, comfort those who are ill, bring hope to those who are in despair. Parents knit shawls for their children; children knit shawls for their children; children knit shawls for aging parents. The reasons to knit a shawl are as numerous as the people who knit and receive them.
Ways to Participate
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Make Shawls or Prayer Squares on your own and donate to the Prayer Shawl Ministry to be blessed and distributed
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Donate yarn – 4 skeins of new yarn will make one item of comfort
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Join the Shawl Ministry as we work together on our items of comfort
We meet the 3rd Friday of every month at 10am, Parish Center, OB
In God all things are held together…….Colossians 1:17
For more information contact Beth or Bernice at 508-693-0342
For further information about the national effort known as Prayer Shawl Ministry, please visit: www.shawlministry.com
Blessings Are Thrown Across Our Lives by Marye Gail Harrison
Blessings are thrown across our lives by the Great Creative Spirit unfolding the universe, knitting us together in community.
Blessings are thrown across your shoulders over and over as you wear this shawl,
Blessings woven in as yarn was thrown over needles over and over as it was knitted.
May you rest enfolded in the soft grace of this continuous thread, interlocking you with all goodness. Amen.