PSM update

Hello wonderful sisters.  Just a quick note to let you know how valuable you are and how important our ministry is……………

Today was Communion Sunday.  As has become our tradition, we place our shawls, chemo caps, and squares on the altar rail for the congregation to pray over and claim for themselves or others.  We encourage all to take them for anyone they know is hurting, having a rough time, or just needs a tangible reminder of God’s love in their lives.  It is such a blessing to put these items out and watch what God does with this.  Often, we will place 50 total items out for all 3 services and we have about 6 or 8 left.  This month God provided us a bounty of items.  He just kept delivering and delivering and we kept busy praying over them.  It seems fitting to say that God surely knows what He is doing.  Not only did we put out more items than usual (I believe it was around 70 to 80 items), not only did I clean out the closet downstairs as well as the extra supply upstairs, even my secret stash for emergencies, not only did we give EVERY shawl, cap and over half the squares away, but we now have a wait list of at least 3 people who need shawls this week.  Of the ones I got to talk with, people were taking items for events which have only happened in the last 2 weeks, explaining to me why God stocked us up so very well.  Isn’t God great in His wisdom and grace!!! 

I am appealing to all of you to help restock the cabinets.  I would very much appreciate if you are currently knitting or crocheting items, to continue to do so.  Please consider using larger hooks or needles, making the items a bit more open which makes the project easy to complete in a relatively short period of time.  I love the tighter weaves for those who need a warm item and don’t want to discourage that technique, but if you are just starting a new project, feel free to make it the “jiffy” way!  Most of our shawls are 24 inches wide by 60 inches long.  Lap blankets are wider and shorter.  You are always welcome to take yarn stock from our closet or purchase your favorite yarn to complete and donate an item.  Remember that if you purchase your own yarn, you may keep the receipts and use them as a tax deduction to a charitable organization.  They add up and will give you a nice little break on your taxes!

Thank you to all who helped put the items out on the altar rails and pews.  I could not have done this without your help.  It took three of us to restock after the 8am service and before 930.  I am going to come up with a system to encourage everyone who takes one to email the information to me for our prayer list.  I want to encourage the praying of the recipients by name when we can.  When we don’t have a name we rely on God’s knowledge of the recipients.  I am also going to put out information to search for new members to help create these “Master”pieces. 

You are a true blessing to me and to the body of Christ.  Keep up the good work whether that is knitting, crocheting, purchasing yarn, delivering items, raising funds for our ministry or praying for all aspects of this ministry.  You are vital to our success and everything you do helps share the message of God’s love to others.

Love in Christ,

Dana

PSM update

Hello to all members and fans of the Prayer Shawl Ministry.  Hope you are having a wonderful week.  We had a great group this week.  Thanks to Robin who gave us a wonderful prayer and reminded us that this ministry belongs to the Lord.  He has blessed us so very richly with an abundance of completed items as well as yarn to work with.  God is good all the time.

I am attaching two patterns that have been requested.  One is the wheelchair wrap pattern that has been so well received.  The other is a specialty item.  It is a bag that goes on a walker for those who need walkers to get around.  It enables the user to carry things while keeping their hands free for sturdy grip and good balance.  If you have any questions on either one, please ask me and I will try to help you with them.

LAST CALL to help out with a donation of a Michael’s gift card to dear Mildred, a friend of Helon Gragg who made 10 incredible hand knit sweaters for us to sell at $35 each to help fund our ministry.  She paid for all the materials herself, and we want to help encourage her generosity.  I am fronting some extra funds, so if you can contribute, please let me know ASAP.  Every dollar is a blessing. 

For those of you who have not yet heard, Zena got an A+ report card from her doctor today.  She is now the star student and is cleared to resume normal activities.  Her tests and EKG were all normal.  Welcome back to the hustle and bustle of life Zena and we celebrate with you.  Beverly and I had the honor of going to Zena’s home on Wednesday afternoon to deliver a prayer shawl for her.  We prayed together, asking God for His healing power and thanked Him for all He has done.  Zena was very appreciative and we all agreed that it was not the shawl, but the prayer sent up to the Lord in earnest love and faith which has touched God’s heart and healed Zena’s.  PRAISE GOD.

Do you know of anyone else needing a prayer shawl or just prayer in general?  If so, let me know and I can share that news with the group.  Before I send out a new revised copy of the PSM members, does anyone object to sharing their contact information?  By next newsletter I want to send you a revised list with all the members in case you want to contact one another or pray for each other. 

We are always in need of a few more sets of hands.  Consider inviting a friend to the meetings.  All levels welcome as we will be happy to teach beginning knitting or crochet.

Continue to shine your wonderful light into this world, reflecting the Father’s love on those who need a bit of sunshine (or SONshine) in their lives.

In Christ,

Dana

PSM update - 1-19-11

Well, it is another great day in the life of the Prayer Shawl Ministry.  We had a lovely meeting last night and lots of fun going through yarn bins.  We have sorted the yarns by color group or texture.  If you love Homespun, we have lots of it now, and we have many different shades of red heart yarn.  Like fuzzy yarns, we have some!  Come and join us next Wednesday and pick out something for you to work on at church or at home. 

I wanted to mention that we have been blessed to have an angel among us.  Helon has a friend, Mildred, an 86 year old woman who makes children’s sweaters.  She buys all her own yarn, designs and knits these amazing sweaters.  Each year the proceeds of the sale go to a charity and this year we were designated as the one!  We would love to thank her with two things.  First, we have a card which you can sign.  If you did not get a chance this week, we will hold it until next Wednesday. Also, we would love to have everyone chip in just a few dollars to help send her a Michael’s gift card.  What she does is so generous and gracious that we truly would love to give back a portion.  Would you please consider chipping in some funds?  This does not have to be big, just a thank you gift.  You may get the funds to me anytime, or at the meeting next Wednesday (last day for collection please) or give me a reply and we will make connections.  If you see Helon you may get the funds to her as well.  A big thanks to Helon for making this all possible.  You are truly a blessing to us.

I am attaching a few patterns for you to look over.  I have another meeting tonight at 7pm so I will send out the full prayer list later on.  Until then, stay warm, keep knitting or crocheting and be blessed.

Dana

Prayer Shawl Ministry Update

Well, Happy January to all and I do hope you will be able to enjoy this beautiful day before we are all trapped inside for a while.  Good news – we live in the south and it will warm up again soon, melting all the snow.  Extra good news – we can crochet or knit all day long and not feel guilty! Bonus for us!

Next, we will be meeting this Wednesday if the snow is not bad.  I do hope you can join us.  We have lots of new yarn and colors to play with. If you need a home delivery, please let me know.  Because we did not have communion in December, we do have quite a nice supply of shawls and blankets in our closet.  If you know of someone in need, just let me know and we will get you what you need, and deliver it for you if you would prefer.  Our next communion is the end of January.  We will need some volunteers to help place the shawls on the altar rails at 7:45am, 8:30-8:45am, 10:30-10:45am, and remove any leftovers after the 11 service ends. Please let me know if you are available.

I am so proud of the work you are doing for God’s glory.  Keep up the good work, whether it is crochet, knit, deliveries, supplying yarn, or simply praying for our concerns. Every part is essential to God’s plan and for His sake.  Be blessed.  I will send out another email within the week with new patterns to try out.  Until then, be well, stay warm and stay safe.

In Christ,

Dana