Rideau Park United Church

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Objective

Prayer shawls are knit or crocheted by members of the Rideau Park congregation. Prayers for comfort and grace are said while the project is being completed. They can be given to those that may be ill, grieving, lonely, in celebration of a birth or wedding, or for any other reason deemed appropriate. 

Blessing

The shawls are blessed by the ministry staff before distribution.  They may be blessed as part of a regular Sunday service, or on an individual basis, depending upon the urgency and timing of the request.

Distribution

If a prayer shawl is desired, please contact the church office at 613-733-3156. Please indicate if the person requesting the shawl wants to deliver it themselves, or if it is preferred that a member of the Pastoral Care Committee or some other designated person take the shawl to the recipient.

Prayer shawls will be wrapped in tissue and put in a white gift bag, ready for presentation.  Attached to the gift bag will be a card stating the purpose of the prayer shawl and that it has been provided by the Prayer Shawl Ministry of RPUC. There is room on this card for personal notes, if desired.

If shawls are requested for people who are not a part of the Rideau Park congregation, a voluntary donation toward the cost of the yarn would be appreciated. Also, if the shawl is to be mailed, this would be the responsibility of the person requesting the shawl.

Journal

A journal will be maintained listing the names of those who have requested prayer shawls and the intended recipient, if appropriate. If it is the wish of either the requestor or the recipient to remain anonymous, this will be respected.  It is also hoped that a small sample of the yarn will be provided by the creator of each shawl, and, if possible and appropriate, a picture of the recipient wearing the shawl, to be included in the journal.