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. 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. 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. 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; during an illness and recovery; ministering to others; or a variety of other occasions. A blessing or ritual may be offered when the gift is presented.All are welcome to come join us any Monday from 10am until Noon at the Gold Canyon Campus. If you knit or crochet, or would like to learn, or if you have yarn you would like to donate, come and see what is going on! We can make good use of all the leftover yarn anyone may have from previous projects. You can refer any questions you may have to Ann Stulik or Janice Cunningham.
