Praying and Purling
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In the fall of 2005, Shirley Meisinger of Wilton, Iowa, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
When this 70something grandmother began chemotherapy, a group of women from Shirley's church gave her a hand-knitted "prayer shawl." The simple rectangular shawl "got her through that time," says her daughter, Laura Rose, 48. "After her treatments, Mom lay on her recliner covered up with it and felt comforted."
The shawl was fashioned by members of a knitting group at the United Methodist Church of Wilton. Unlike traditional Jewish prayer shawls—tassel-edged garments worn during synagogue prayer services—these shawls are prayed over as they're knitted and are meant to wrap the recipient in love.
Inspired by the shawl her mother received, Laura decided to become a member of United Methodist's knitting group. The mom of two grown children, Laura says she and her husband attend the same church her parents do, but hadn't gotten involved. "Since I started crocheting, I feel it's rekindling my spiritual life," she says. "This ministry may bring us back into the church. And my mom and I have gotten emotionally closer."
Patterns With Purpose
Knitting is a popular pastime once again—with groups popping up everywhere, including in churches. While most groups knit, some also crochet, weave, or quilt. They gather to work and pray together, sometimes sharing Scripture verses and songs. Most knit scarves, blankets, and baby clothes to give away. But often the creative act of crafting combined with the power of giving transforms women spiritually. Meetings become places of spiritual connection.
Chris Pokorny says the Crafty Angels knitting group she leads at Edgebrook Evangelical Covenant Church in Chicago focuses on serving the poor. In 2006 alone, the group donated more than 3,000 items, from baby caps and blankets for Chicago's Swedish Covenant Hospital to hats, mittens, and scarves for Cornerstone Community Outreach in Chicago. They're also involved in Afghans for Afghans, which collects hand-knit blankets for a women's hospital in war-ravaged Afghanistan, and Project Red Scarf for foster children. While their group consists of 10 women at the church, another 50 around the country stay in touch via e-mail and send in things they've knitted.
"The women are thrilled to do something they love to make a difference," Chris notes. "I enjoy telling them, 'You're helping people around the world.' It's exciting to see women empowered and mobilized. They realize they can do God's work through something they like to do. That's energizing."
Sidney Mosely, 80, attends Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. She decided to start a ministry for widows by inviting them to gather and knit together. They laughingly called themselves "The Knit Wits," but the name stuck. The group grew to include women of all ages, and, like most knitting groups, is focused on outreach.
Originally published in: Today's Christian Woman, 2007, September/October, Vol. 29, Issue 5
Related Topics:
Hobbies, Outreach, Poor, Prayer, Serving, Women's Ministry
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knit-wit
There is a knitting Bible study that pairs sharing your faith with knitting. It's called, "Biblical Bits for Knit-Wits." There is also a knit-along on ravelry. www.biblicalbits.com
Donna Taylor Tomblin
* How do I find a Knitting /praying Ministry group to join in my Area? Trussville, Al.
Suzanne
You may like to know about Trinity Shawls and the Knit-to-Pray Ministry which is Knitting in prayer for prayer! @ http://www.TrinityShawls.com
Cindy Bennish
Great to see more of this going on. We have been making afghans for local and national ministeries for ten years. When we start running low on yarn its seems like God literally sends it down from heaven!
Pat Meyer
I have made quite a few prayer shawls and many items for premature babies. The baby things use up yarnleft over from other projects. I have taken to praying for the receipent of any item as I make it, whether I know who it will be given to or not. To those of you looking for a group in your area, try checking bulletin boards at local yarn or craft shops, or ask the people there. Also, Lion Brand has an extensive charity section on their web site. Otherwise, start advertising for others to form a group with you. And be willing to have a very ad hoc group where most of the work is done individually, and people only come together occassionally when items are to be packaged and delivered.
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