Prayer and knitting have been combined for the ministry of others for many years. Hospice patients, the elderly and others who need a special blessing have been given knitted and crocheted gifts. The ministry strives to bring God’s love through the comfort and warmth of handmade items.

Our local Chapter of the Prayer Shawl Ministry here at Hope Lutheran Church and School began with a small group of ladies in 2008, introduced to the LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League-Canada) by Mary Tuomisto. By 2013 there were 119 shawls, 14 lap robes and 20 bears distributed.

The leadership of the group was then Blessed by Francis Loughton for over 11 years, and another 185 shawls, 61 lap robes and 28 bears received by those suffering and in need of comfort.

Both of these ladies were an inspiration to our local LWML.  It has always been our prayer that God will richly bless this ministry by providing materials, knitters and recipients, and the Lord has done just that. Members of the LWML have worked diligently over the years to keep this prayerful ministry active.  In total, to date, since this program began at Hope, some 434 items have been distributed with their blessings continuing to ripple outward. Whether they are called “Prayer Shawls”, “Comfort Shawls”, “Lap Robes” or “Mantles”, the knitter begins each shawl with prayers and blessings for the recipient. Handmade greeting cards to be included with each gift. Some talented ladies chose to knit small “Teddy Bears” which have proven to be comforting for young children.

The prayers and blessings are knit into the shawl, with both the knitter and the receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of a sheltering, loving God!

All thanks and praise be to God!

For more information about this global ministry, please visit ‘www.shawlministry.com.