Prayer Shawl Ministry

The ministry ladies wish everyone a wonderful and blessed Valentine’s Day, a day of hugs. Since it is February, we are holding our annual yarn drive. In the narthex, there is a big tub for donations of yarn. Don’t be surprised if the yarn doesn’t last long after you put it in there. You may see some wonderful women picking and choosing colors for their next projects. We are so very grateful for your donations to our cause. If you have a special need for a shawl and would like a specific color, you may buy us the yarn and we will make your gift—just try to give us advanced notice.

I was recently asked what the shawl colors stand for. Although the below color chart is not necessarily followed all the time, and often a shawl is made in a certain color for a specific need (such as pink for breast cancer), we make shawls in many colors and designs so you can find the one that is perfect for the person for whom you need it.

Your shawl colors represent:
- Ivory: goodness, purity, faith, safety
- Blue / Aqua: tranquility, healing, trust, balance
- Green / Teal: hope, peace, confidence, protection
- Purple / Violet: wisdom, creativity, dignity, grief
- Red / Pink / Raspberry: joy, friendship, love
- Peach / Orange: compassion, courage, goodness
- Yellow / Gold: wisdom, happiness, energy
- White: purity, innocence, strength, peace
- Tan / Brown / Black: dependableness, calmness, honesty
- Gray / Silver: determination, character, mindfulness

In the past month, many shawls have been delivered or mailed. One was sent to an older man in the Bronx who took a tumble and broke his teeth and both his arms. His sister requested a long shawl to wrap around him while he watches TV at night. He appreciated it so much that he even took it to his doctor’s office to show the staff.

Another shawl was sent upstate to a young mother with two teenage children. She discovered just before Christmas that she has pancreatic cancer. She and her husband are coping, and the shawl is a comfort to them.

Another shawl will be sent to the lay minister of the Monticello Presbyterian Church. Her dear friend recently lost her husband quite suddenly, and she is not coping well. Being a widow herself, the lay minister believes the shawl might help her friend through this period, and their church, in turn, may also be interested in starting up a shawl ministry.

One red, white, and blue shawl was under a Christmas tree in Amity, New York. The nineteen-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, left for the Navy on December 14, and she wanted to leave a hug for her mother. We chose an anchor charm to sew into the corner of the shawl along with a cross, so that when Mom would see it, she would know it was a hug from not only us, but also from her daughter serving our country. I understand that when she opened it on Christmas morning, the entire family had tears in their eyes and just loved the thought and care that went into giving it to them.

Many of our shawls are given for illness, but they are also given for other events. I recently placed in the shawl room a large folder with many copies of the prayers, which can be taken as needed. Also in that room are three tubs of shawls, lap robes, and baby blankets (which we give for baptisms). Pat will direct you to the room if you have a need for one or more gifts. These are for all members of the church to take. We hope that we can help you bring some comfort or joy to someone who has touched your life.

Again, remember us when you shop. A few skeins of acrylic yarn go a long way toward making a hug for
someone who needs it. Help us reach out and touch someone.

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Trinity Pocket Shawls
These small, soft, triangular crocheted items will be available in a basket in the narthex for anyone who wants one, wants to give one, or is interested in making some. Smaller than the pocket squares, they look like mini shawls and fit perfectly into a pocket. The three corners represent the Trinity.

A small, detachable prayer is tied to each pocket shawl. Some of the shawls will also have a small charm (either a cross, heart, or hope ribbon) attached, so look at them carefully to make sure you pick the one that is best for the receiver.

Thank you to Darlene Bartley, who designed the pocket shawls, and God bless our congregation for your support.
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God bless all of you,

Wendy Lee Paffenroth
PSM Secretary