Prayer Shawl Ministry

“You created every part of me, knitting me in my Mother’s womb. For such handiwork, I praise you. Awesome this great wonder!”
Psalm 139:13-14

About the Shawls

In 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.

Care and the love of knitting (and crochet) have been combined into a prayerful ministry that reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace. Many blessings are knitted into every shawl. The knitter begins each shawl with prayers for the recipient. Intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. When the shawl is completed it is offered a final ritual before being sent along its way.

As this gift has been sent along, some recipients have continued the kindness by making one themselves and passing it into someone in need.

Thus, the blessing is rippled from person to person, with both the giver and the receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of a sheltering, mother God!

Some Uses for the Shawl

Undergoing medical procedures; as a comfort after a loss, during bereavement, prayer or meditation, commitment or marriage ceremonies, birthing, nursing a baby; as a bridal shower gift; leading ritual; first menses or crowning rites of passage, during an illness and recovery; ministering to others or just socializing…there are endless possibilities!

To make a shawl personal, the giver or the recipient may want to adorn the shawl with beads, shells, feathers, and charms. A blessing or ritual may be offered when the gift is presented.

If you know of someone who is in need of this ministry, please contact the church office at 952-944-6510.

Prayer Shawl Ministry at Peace Lutheran Church

The Prayer Shawl Ministry was started at Peace in 2004. The shawls are given to those in need of comfort and solace. We invite everyone in our community of faith to join us in this prayer ministry. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced knitter or crocheter, please consider joining us. Patterns are available at the information desk in the Parish Hall.