Prayer Shawl Ministry
Shawls of Sanctuary

"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…”

We meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in our church cottage at the East end of our church parking lot, 3350 Harrison Blvd., Ogden. All are welcome to join us.

Please come and join us - bring your knitting, crocheting, quilting or whatever kind of handiwork you enjoy - or just come and join in the conversation!!! Questions? Call Kim Harbath at 737-3667.

On Saturday, September 20, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church is hosting a tea for all the prayer shawl groups in the Ogden area. It will be help at the Episcopal Church at 2:00 pm. Shawls of Sanctuary's participants and anyone else interested in this wonderful ministry are welcome to attend.

We are an interfaith group, recognizing the absolute goodness in all. Men and women from all faith walks are very welcome, including those who do not attend Church. If you do not know how to knit, someone will be honored to teach you.

You may knit, crochet, sew or create a shawl in any manner that suites you. We can help you learn, and provide tools and materials. If you would like more information, please call Kim Harbath at 737-3667 or our church office at 392-5012.

Prayers for Knitting

When first beginning:

Mantle of Love, Healer of Hearts,

I light this candle as a reminder of Your presence as I begin.
I ask a blessing from all who have come before me;
whose hands have been instruments of creation and beauty;
who have used humble tools and hand-spun wool
in order to provide cover and warmth for
themselves and those they loved;
who have felt, as I will feel, the yarn in their fingers;
who have seen, as I will see, the growth of the fabric;
who have heard, as I will hear, the click of the needles.

Guide my attention to stay on course.
Hold me close and ground me.
Bless, also, this yarn and these knitting needles.
May any negative energy connected to them be cast away as I cast on;
and all positive energy bound in as I bind off.
In their simplicity, may I find comfort and solace.

Bless my hands...
Often just appendages at the end of my arms...
workers doing their job without appreciation...looked at, yet not really seen.
These instruments of love have done mundane tasks, yet also create beauty.
They reach out, touch, stroke, scrub, lift, grasp, gesture and guide.
These hands, my hands, gifts of great importance,
Blessings be on them and in them as I begin.
May the fruits of their labor be good!

By: Janet Bristow - 2000
from Beginning To Knit Dedication © 2008 All Rights Reserved

Prayer to be said while knitting:

Bless this shawl that it may be
filled with healing energy.
_____(name)_____ is in my heart today
as I knit and as I pray.
May each stitch be filled with care,
comfort, strength, and warmth to share.
May the love in every row
help God’s sacred healing flow.
By: Marti Belknap- Cardiff, CA Fall 2008

And another:

God in the clicking of the needles;
God in the yarn,
God in my fingers and hands.
God in the intentions.
God in the Ewe.
God in the weaving, for the sake
of Your Peace.
God's Peace in the making
Christ's Peace in the giving
The Spirit's Peace in the receiving.
Amen, Amen, Amen
Author Vicky Dawson writes;
"I was knitting all the positive energy into a prayer shawl during a Celtic Spirituality retreat and this prayer just flowed into my mind."

PRAYER SQUARES:

This is a smaller version that can be used for people who do not have the space, or convenience of having a place to put a regular size shawl or would not use a shawl.

Materials needed:
1 skein of Lion Brand Homespun yarn and Size 11, 13, or 15 knitting needles

Knitting Directions:
Cast on 24 stitches. Row one: K3, P3 to end of row.
Row two: K3, P3 across row. Row three: K3, P3 across row.
Row Four: P3, K3 to end of row. Row Five: P3, K3 across row.
Row Six: P3, K3 to end of row.
Repeat these six rows 10-12 times. Bind off all stitches.
Crochet an edge around the square, using SC or a scalloped edge
of five SC that connect to knitted edge every three stitches.

Some interesting Prayer Shawl and Knitting internet sites:

http://www.shawlministry.com/tipsheet.html

www.shawlministry.com

www.lionbrand.com

http://joann.lionbrand.com/patterns/chs-prayerShawl.html

www.lionbrand.com/prayerShawlCards

www.lionbrand.com/Newsletters

http://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Shawl-Ministry-Reaching-Leisure/dp/1574865919

http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-into-Mystery-Shawl-Knitting-Ministry/dp/0819219673

Prayer Shawl Ministry Shawls of Sanctuary

Prayer Shawl Ministry
Shawls of Sanctuary