March 2008 Archives
Hands of Love: Knitting Ministry
Cast On for the Down-Cast
Martha dropped by to see the elderly Jim and Mary Pizani. They chatted until Martha stood up and moved closer to Mary. She pulled a hand-knit burgundy shawl out of her tote bag.
“I belong to Hands of Love prayer group that knits shawls,” she said. “I thought you might like this one.”
Martha wrapped the soft warm shawl around Mary’s thin shoulders. The deep lines in Mary’s face faded as she smiled. Her eyes brightened. Martha gave her a gentle hug and handed her the prayer card, who in turn handed it to Jim.
A hush fell over the dimly lit room as Jim read “Dear Mary, please accept this shawl as a symbol of God's eternal love. It was made for you by the Hands of Love ladies knitting group. May you experience God’s peace and his loving arms around you day by day. Lord, bless these hands as they work for you, over time fashioning these simple threads into something warm, comforting, useful, and beautiful. Lord, use me to channel your love and your grace through these needles to someone who needs your touch. Lord, give me your heart, so I can see those who are hurting. Lord, bless this simple work, and transform it into a covering of love. In Jesus’name we pray. Amen.” Slowly Jim’s face softened.
Silently, the real visitor slipped into the room. Love came down from heaven and caressed the elderly lady’s heart just like the soft, warm shawl caressed her shoulders.
Hands of Love is the inspiration of Holly Love.
While traveling with her husband, an oral surgeon, on medical mission trips to remote areas of the world: Guatemala, Cambodia, the Amazon River, to name a few, Holly felt restless and wanted something to do with her hands.
In Guideposts magazine, Holly read about the Guideposts Knit for Kids project. She remembered how much she enjoyed knitting before her children were born. She sent for the pattern and knit some little sweaters that later were distributed to children challenged by poverty, disaster, and despair.
On one trip Holly struck up a conversation with another traveler wearing a lovely shawl. When Holly complimented her shawl, the lady replied that the shawl pattern was very quick and easy.
Holly thought she’d like to make a shawl for herself and as gifts. When she returned home she searched the worldwide web and came across a free pattern for prayer shawls posted by Lion Brand Yarns. She also visited the shawl ministry website started by two women graduates of the 1997 Women’s Leadership Institute at the Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut. Through those two ladies prayer shawl groups blossomed up worldwide, knitting and crocheting shawls to comfort the hurting and to commemorate celebrations. The website encouraged prayers and dedications not only to the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but also to non-Christian deities such as those of Buddhism, Wicca, Hinduism.
Holly saw merit in the idea of prayer shawl groups. However, as a Christian believer, she knew that God does not give his glory to any other. Any group she started would give devotion to the holy God, the one true God. She borrowed the concept and brought the idea of starting a prayer shawl ministry before the Women’s Ministry committee. Committee members loved the idea.
One month later Hands of Love met for the first time. Within two months, they had half a dozen shawls completed. Most were made of soft cuddly acrylic. Boucle yarn gave added texture to the popcorn-like stitch. The pattern was simply repeating knit 3, purl 3. Five-inch fringe was attached as the finishing touch.
Instead of counting “1, 2, 3” over and over again, knitters can pray “Father, Son, Holy Spirit” as they knit 3. Then, pray “Faith, Hope, Love” as they purl 3.
As an added blessing, the group prays over the completed shawls, asking the Lord to comfort and encourage the recipients.
The first shawl was given to a lady undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Others have been given to encourage people with serious illnesses or those grieving over the loss of a loved one. Prayer shawls have brought encouragement to dozens of hurting folks both inside and outside of the church membership.
The knitting group also benefits the knitters as bonds of friendship form. It provides a safe environment for younger women to seek counsel from older women. In turn, older women experience the joy of encouraging the younger ones.
Throughout the centuries women have banded together to face life challenges. Now, in the 21st century, individuals re-discover the blessings of community. Knitting together knits hearts together. Praying while knitting invokes the Lord’s blessing on the givers and the receivers.
* Since September 11th only circular needles are allowed on airplanes.
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