Grace Prayer Shawl Ministry

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Grace Prayer Shawl Ministry

The website www.shawlministry.com, is where you will find all the information you need to begin a Prayer Shawl Ministry. Grace Lutheran Church in Abilene, Texas has begun this ministry with the intention of providing shawls for those that are suffering, are in pain, or sick, or just need to feel that someone loves them. Prayer Shawls are begun with prayers and blessings for the recipient (if known) and continued throughout the making of the shawl. When the shawl is completed, it is blessed and made ready for its final destination - a prayer shawl recipient.

Shawls can be given to those in the hospital or undergoing treatment of an illness, comfort for someone who has lost a loved one, to bless a new marriage, to bless a new infant, graduation gift, confirmation gift, anniversary gift, or even a Christmas gift or birthday. The reasons for giving a prayer shawl are endless and can mean so much to the recipient. The shawls can give comfort, encouragement, reassurance, and so much more.

 

 

How do you make a prayer shawl?

There is no right or wrong way to make a shawl. Most shawls are knitted or crocheted, but they can also be quilted, sewn, machine-knitted, or tied fleece. There are many patterns available online that can be printed off free for personal use. There are patterns at www.shawlministry.com. Rectangle shawls can be anywhere from 18 inches to 36 inches wide, with 24 inches being the most common. The rectangles that we make are usually fingertip to fingertip long. The shawls can include fringe, but they don't have to have fringe. Embellishments are fine as long as they are appropriate for the recipient. There are also shawl patterns for triangle shawls, which are also very easy to make. Again, the longest edge is fingertip-to- fingertip long. Typically, knitted shawls use less yarn than crocheted shawls. Crocheted shawls can be made with three to five skeins of yarn, depending on the type of yarn and the amount of yarn in the skein. There are many yarns available, but the ones that are machine washable are your best bet. You are also not limited to just making shawls. You can make scarves, lap robes, and baby afghans, as well.

Contact Information

Grace Prayer Shawl Ministry is one of the many ministries of Grace Lutheran Church in Abilene, Texas. If you are interested in finding out more about the ministry, please call the church office at 325-692-1342. The church secretary will be able to put you in touch with someone associated with this ministry.

 

 

Teresa and Chris at the very first Prayer Shawl Ministry meeting in November 2006.

Above are some examples of the shawls. These have all been crocheted with various types of yarn. Go to the Crocheted Shawl Gallery to see some of them as well as others up close.

Where and When Do We Meet 

We meet at the church on the third Wednesdays of the month at 6:30 PM. These meetings will be to learn about the ministry, to make our shawls, to teach how to crochet or knit, to pray, and to fellowship with our friends. The meetings are not required to make the shawls - you can make them on your own at home, or wherever you may be.

Shawls made for friends, Lynn and Virginia.