727 Harvard Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081
(610) 543-4712
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Shawl Ministry
The Shawl Ministry at SPC was started in April of 2003 when an article appeared in The Inquirer about a group of knitters who had been inspired to knit shawls for those in need. The group's website (www.shawlministry.com) had patterns and prayers to give new groups a start. Our group at SPC now has more than 40 women who contribute to the Shawl Ministry. Some come to our monthly gatherings; some work independently; some are church members; some are friends from outside the church.
Twice a year we dedicate our shawls during a service. Others are dedicated during morning prayers. Since starting in 2003 our Shawl Ministry has given out more than 400 shawls. Sometimes we know the person who receives one of our shawls. Most often we don’t. We have expanded our ministry beyond our church membership and deliver our shawls to hospices and cancer centers.
With every shawl we send loving thoughts and prayers to those in need of comfort and a hug. On each shawl is a tag that reads “Knitted for you with love and prayers from the Swarthmore Presbyterian Church.” Each shawl is delivered with a card containing a picture of our shawls draped over the church's Chancel rail and a prayer for comfort - you can view the prayer below.
If you know someone who could use one of our shawls, please contact Rev. Lisa Day at 610-543-4712 x117 or lisa.day@swarthmorepres.org; she keeps a supply in her office.
Knitting these shawls brings us joy. Giving one away brings us even greater joy. All you need to do is ask.
Joining SPC's Shawl Ministry
Volunteers work on their own time or, once a month, in fellowship (usually from 11:30 to 12:30 on a Sunday - check the Church Calendar for the next meeting). Patterns for your work are available at the Shawl Ministry website; hard copies can be found on the bulletin board outside the church office. Finished work can be brought to the church office at any time. Associate Pastor Lisa Day, in collaboration with deacons and input from members that pass on concerns, ensures that shawls get to those who will benefit from their warmth. Please contact the church office if you are interested in joining the Shawl Ministry.
Prayer of Blessing © 2003 (blessing for a completed shawl)
May God's grace be upon this shawl...
warming, comforting, enfolding and embracing.
May this mantle be a safe haven...
a sacred place of security and well being...
sustaining and embracing in good times as well as difficult ones.
May the one who receives this shawl be cradled in hope,
kept in joy, graced with peace, and wrapped in love.
