Rideau Park United Church

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Imagine that you are lonely, grieving or ill, or perhaps leaving home for the first time, or celebrating the birth of a child and what a blessing it would be to receive a soft, warm and comforting shawl that was created with the love and prayers of your church family.  Over the centuries, shawls have come to symbolize shelter, peace and spiritual sustenance. An initiative called the Prayer Shawl Ministry began in 1998 (for more info check out www.shawlministry.com) and since then, members of this organization have lovingly donated their time and talents by creating hand-knit and crocheted shawls, filled with the power of prayer, for those in need. 

How is a prayer shawl made?  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 experience has been described by many as a very moving and powerful experience with both the giver and receiver feeling encircled by the love of a sheltering, mothering God!

A Prayer Shawl Ministry has begun here at Rideau Park. Together with the Pastoral Care Committee and several willing volunteers, we have already begun to create an inventory of shawls. The first batch of prayer shawls were dedicated at a service in April 2007 and we look forward to continuing on with this ministry with the creation and blessing of more shawls in the coming months and years.

How can you get involved?   If you like to knit or crochet, we need volunteers to create the shawls.  Patterns and materials are available.  If you have yarn that isn't being used, we would happily accept donations. If there is enough interest, regularly scheduled prayer shawl meetings could be held, either at the church, or in our homes, where we could prayerfully work on shawls together.  Finally, if you know of someone who would benefit from receiving a prayer shawl, or for more information, please speak to any member of the Pastoral Care Committee, email Anne Blades at kevin.blades@sympatico.ca, or call the church office at 613-733-3156.

See more details about this ministry.