Prayer Shawl Ministry
A new community outreach ministry established in April in Big Bear City, jointly sponsored by the Bear Valley Center for Spiritual Enrichment and Yarn Designers Boutique
What’s a Prayer Shawl? I had heard this term several times this past year and I thought, is it something you wear to pray or meditate? Well, you could but that’s not how it started!
1998, Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo, two graduates of the 1997 Women's Leadership Institute at The Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut gave birth to a ministry as a result of their experience in this program of applied Feminist Spirituality under the direction of Professor Miriam Therese Winter, MMS. Compassion and the love of knitting/crocheting have been combined into a prayerful ministry and spiritual practice which reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace, as well as in celebration and joy. Many blessings are prayed into every shawl. We are listed on Janet’s website at www.shawlministry.com as the Big Bear City Ministry, one of about 25 California groups.
Whether they are called Prayer Shawls, Comfort Shawls, Peace Shawls, or Mantles, etc., the shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient. The intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Upon completion, a final blessing is offered before the shawl is sent on its way. Some recipients have continued the kindness by making a shawl and passing it onto 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: undergoing medical procedures; as a comfort after a loss or in times of stress; during bereavement; prayer or meditation; commitment or marriage ceremonies; birthing, nursing a baby; bridal shower or wedding gift; leading ritual; first menses or croning rites of passage; during an illness and recovery; ministering to others; graduation, birthday, anniversary, ordination, holiday gifts; or just socializing...there are endless possibilities!
Most often Prayer Shawls or Prayer Scarves are made. The Knitter intentionally prays for the recipient while knitting, the stitches are in a simple series of 3 stitches, symbolizing the Trinity. I have found that this practice actually resembles praying on a Rosary which really surprised me! Colors with special meaning may be chosen, the shawls are given in times of illness or grieving, as well as during times of joy and celebration. Both the knitter (or crocheter) and the recipient are blessed with feeling the unconditional embrace of God’s Love.
Prayer, storytelling, guided meditation, time for prayerful knitting, and social time as well are a part of each week’s 2 hour meeting at the Yarn Designers Boutique, 439 W. Big Bear Blvd. in Big Bear City. It is open to anyone who would like to participate every Thursday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. If you have at least 2 hours per week to participate, you will be enriched by the experience. Some of us have prayer time and work on our shawls at home during the week but this is not necessary – just a commitment to keep a shawl going either at home or at our weekly meeting!
We usually enclose with each shawl, similar to the following:
Dear Friend, This shawl symbolizes my prayer of peace for you in an effort to foster understanding and acceptance between people of the world regardless of their ethnicity, religious affiliation or gender. As you wrap yourself in this shawl, may God comfort and enfold you with hope, joy, peace, and love; and may many blessings flow from us to the world.
We’ve also started a scrapbook to document all of our activities. It’s growing already!
"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…”
Our first shawl was presented to Bobbi Hunsacker, our Angel of the Month, on April 2, 2006. This was a wonderful experience for us to give and her to receive. As our shawls progress, the perfect recipients will be found. If you know someone special you would like to receive a shawl, you can join us and we’ll teach you how or you can make a contribution of at least $25 for the making of the shawl. We are also accepting contributions for our shawl making materials fund as we may have the future need. Or you can just let us know someone you believe would appreciate this gift of love and we’ll do the rest!
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 584-9715. Your unique participation will be appreciated by all!
Gena Hester
BVCSE Prayer Shawl Ministry Coordinator