The Prayer Shawl Ministry of the United Parish is one of hundreds around the world that was inspired by two graduates of Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut. Janet Bristow and Vicky Galo co-founded the ministry in 1998, and like all good ideas, the concept spread quickly to churches worldwide. So many people want to serve, to comfort, to give of their talents.  (See Janet and Vicky’s site at http://www.shawlministry.com/.)

Knitted with loving hands, the shawls are symbols of God’s all-embracing love and constant presence. In our church, shawls are given by the pastor, a lay pastor, a parishioner or a friend to anyone facing one of life’s transitions, whether it be a sad or joyful time. Shawls are given to people undergoing surgery, in need of healing, at a time of grief, divorce, job uncertainty; to a new mother, at a time of baptism, in support of someone taking a new direction in life. Since we began this ministry in the spring of 2003, we’ve presented over one hundred shawls.

All who become part of the ministry are blessed, whether as a knitter or as a recipient of a shawl. As Janet Bristow writes, “The blessing is rippled from person to person, with both the giver and receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of a sheltering God!”