Beech Tree News Network

Morgantown, Butler County and the surrounding area are very blessed to have Andrea’s Mission and Mission for Men.                    

A group of ladies who are just a few of many who provide encouragement to the women at Andrea’s Mission are the women who provide the prayer shawls. Some of these women, Shelia Hunt, Christine Bratcher, Linda Pendley Beverly Hayes, Jessica Nielsen, Marilyn Nielsen and Elaine Daugherty recently worked on providing the shawls so that there will be more than enough for the women to choose from.

I looked at the PrayerShawls.com web site for some information. I had looked there when I first started making prayer shawls and it is full of good information and patterns.  I found the thoughts on how to pray while knitting or crocheting especially helpful.  There I read: "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..." (author unknown)

The Prayer Shawl Ministry began officially in 1998 by Janet Severi Bristow and Victoria Galoas as part of a college project. Whether they are called Prayer Shawls, Comfort Shawls, Peace Shawls, etc., the shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient. The prayers and good thoughts are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Upon completion, a final blessing is offered before the shawl is sent on its way. I lay the shawls on the front pews in our church during a service and they are blessed by the pastor at the end of the service.  

Some recipients have continued the kindness by making a shawl and passing it on to someone in need. Thus, the blessing ripples from person-to-person, with both the giver and receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of a sheltering, mothering God! Shawls can be used for anyone undergoing medical procedures, as a comfort after a loss or in times of stress, during bereavement,  in prayer or meditation, in marriage, illness, pregnancy…there are endless gifting possibilities. The shawls can be knit, crochet, embroidered, quilted, machine knit, loom knit, almost any method can be adapted. A blessing or ritual may be offered when the gift is presented.

 We’ve all heard people say that “things happen in 3’s.”  In the Christian faith tradition the number 3, symbolized by the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, has come to mean wholeness. Many phases of life happen in combinations of three: child/adult/senior - mother/father/child - past/present/future - birth/life/death or life/death/rebirth. We are created as body/mind/spirit and we have been encouraged to live and act in faith/hope/charity.

ShawlMinistry.com has the original knit and crochet prayer shawl patterns using the number 3, and many more. The knit patterns using the theme of 3 can be as easy as k3, p3 on the first row, then knit the purls and purl the knits. Crochet patterns using the 3 theme are as easy as single crochet across the first row, double crochet the next 3 rows, single crochet the next row and so on. These are very easy.  ShawlMinistry.com and PrayerShawls.com and Ravelry.com have many good free patterns.  

Thank you everyone who creates prayer shawls. You really are creating a blessing.