St. Matthew’s UMC Prayer Shawl Ministry
“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…” (Janet Bristow, 1998)
The idea of prayer shawls began with the first class of the Women’s Leadership Institute at Hartford Seminary in 1998. What started as a grass roots movement grew into an international cause, with countless numbers of prayer shawls given to grateful recipients around the world. The prayer shawl ministry began at St. Matthew’s UMC in 2007 and has continuously provided shawls, baby blankets, prayer squares and even hats and baby booties over the years. This is an outreach ministry that is meant to encourage, comfort and even celebrate with those around us within our church community, our families and our greater communities and which has had an impact as far away as Tanzania and Kenya.
Everyone at St. Matthew’s UMC is invited to participate in this ministry. Prayer shawls, baby prayer blankets and prayer squares are available to be given for support, celebration and comfort. The prayer shawl ministry maintains a journal as a record of who has received a prayer shawl through our ministry. We do ask that if someone has received a shawl previously, that a prayer square be given instead. Shawls are not for sale, they may only be given with love and prayers.
St. Matthew’s Prayer Shawl Ministry is currently not meeting due to Covid but we have continued to knit and crochet at home for this ministry. Anyone who would like to is welcome to join us. We have patterns, recommended yarn types and can always use more hands to create! If you do not knit or crochet and want to help, we may also accept donations towards the purchase of yarn. At this time, due to lower “stock”, the shawls, blankets and prayer squares are not on display at the church as they have been in the past. If you know of a need, or would like to join us, please contact the office or one of the prayer shawl ministry team members.