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