The Prayer Shawl Ministry of Naomi
Makemie Presbyterian Church
Mission
Creation of loving prayer shawls for people
needing the warm arms of concern wrapped around them is the mission of
the Naomi Makemie Presbyterian Church Prayer Shawl Ministry.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry members knit or
crochet shawls that are given to persons who are ill, have suffered a
loss, or are in the midst of a life crisis. The group currently meets
every other month (1st Thursday at 10:30 a.m.) at the church to work on
shawls and pray for the recipients of their work. You can join our
Prayer Shawl Ministry by getting involved in making shawls with us or
by requesting a shawl for a friend
or loved one you know that is in need. If you wish to make a
donation
either for yarn or postage, we welcome your contribution.
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Contact:
Marge Carpenter – 757-787-7600
LaVerne Pickett – 757-787-4919
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Meetings:
1st Thursday of every other month
(Jan,March,May,July,Sept,Nov.)
10:30 a.m.
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History of the Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry at Naomi Makemie
Presbyterian Church was begun by church member Marge Carpenter after
she learned about this ministry in West Hartford CT and St. Louis
MO. Both of those churches had heard about it from other churches
and had witnessed persons who have benefited from receiving a prayer
shawl in their time of illness or a personal situation.
The Session approved this outreach ministry in February 2003, and as of
January 2010 we have delivered more than 335 shawls and have over 20
persons knitting them.
Delivered With Love
Each shawl is delivered to the recipient along with a card
containing this special message:
This prayer shawl was made especially for you with love
and prayers. It is a gjft from Naomi Makemie Presbyterian Church.
At the last meeting of our knitting ministry, we
gathered in a circle to bless this shawl. May you discover comfort and
solace as you wear it. May it encircle you in God’s love and peace, now
and always.
Love and Prayers
Naomi Makemie Presbyterian Church
Prayer Shawl Blessings
Loving God, as I create this shawl, may it be woven with love and
compassion for __________ in her/his time of need. May it be a sign of
hope and caring from our family of faith. Amen.
God of grace and God of glory, you alone know what ______ and his/her
family need at this time. Surround them with your loving peace that
they
might find solace and comfort in you. Amen.
God of love, surround ________ with your tender mercy in this time of
struggle and sorrow May this shawl be a source of comfort and the
warmth
of your love in the days ahead Amen.
Loving God, as I work to create this shawl, may it become a sign of
your love and concern as _________ faces treatment in the days ahead.
Amen.
God, we know that you are with us in the midst of the toils and
struggles of our lives. May this shawl be a sign of that presence and a
source of tender hope and peace for ______ in this time of need Amen.
As I create this shawl, may you guide my hands and my thoughts. I pray
for _______ in her/his time of need, trusting that this gift will be a
reminder to him/her of your love and concern which surrounds us all our
days. Amen.
Loving God, may the rhythm of the rows and stitches all tied together
be a sign to _______ of the tie that binds us all together - that of
your
love and mercy. Amen.
Directions for Making a Prayer Shawl
Yarn
You will need three skeins of Lion Brand
Homespun yarn for either knit or crocheted shawls. This brand of yarn
is suggested because of its soft texture and colors. The yarn is
available at Wal-Mart, Michael’s or JoAnn’s Craft stores. If you
have a local quilt or knit shop in your area contact them and perhaps
it can be ordered locally. (Note: If you have yarn at home
you’d like to use, that’s okay too.)
Knitting
Use size 13 needles.
These needles provide a loose weave and make the project go fast.
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Begin by casting on 57 stitches.
Pattern:
Knit 3, purl 3, to the end of the row.
Turn, and repeat the pattern.
Each row will begin with “Knit 3”
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OR
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Cast on 60 stitches and
just knit the entire 3 skeins.
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Fringe
Before you begin your third skein, set aside the yarn you will
need for making the fringe for both ends of the shawl. Then, knit until
you finish the yarn.
Attach fringe to shawl.
The fringe is made by cutting 130 lengths of yarn about 8 inches
long. Hold two together and fold in half. This creates four ends. Pull
through and knot.
Crocheting
Use a 10 mm hook.
Ch 53. Turn. SC for 3 rows. Turn.
In the second sc from hook, *do 3 dc, sk 1st;
sc in next st, sk 1stitch; in next stitch, rep from* for width of
shawl.
Ch 2. Turn. (you should have 13 dc shells across.) Note that the 3 dc
shells are done in the center of the dc group in the row below.
Repeat this row until shawl is the desired length. End with 3 rows of
sc.
(There are other crochet patterns that you can use for a shawl – the
internet web pages on the Prayer Shawl Ministry are a good
source.
A Gift of Love
There is really no right or wrong way to create these gifts
of love and caring.
The shawls do not all have to be alike. When you finish a shawl, it
will be blessed and given to someone to whom it will become a very
meaningful gift. If you are knitting with a recipient in mind, that
will be extra special. There is no time limit to finish your
shawl. Finished shawls may be brought to our ministry meetings or
given to Marge or LaVerne.
There is further information on the internet: www.lionbrand.com
www.shawlministry.com