For many, prayer is a powerful source of healing. Prayer Shawl Ministry is a ministry that combines the art of knitting with prayer.  The Prayer Shawl Ministry at First Church of Christ, Congregational was begun in April of 2006 and is made up of volunteers who weave prayerful intentions throughout each strand.  This powerful ministry can lift up the sick of body or mind, it can provide a comforting hug to those facing difficult times or it can simply be a means of honoring a special person. There are endless possibilities to share God's love and grace with those around us. This has become an opportunity for all be a part of the many blessings and gentle healing power of God's unconditional love.   

Our ministry team meets monthly on the second Wednesday at 7:00 pm downstairs in the church to handcraft each shawl with beautiful yarns, prayers, blessings and love.

Prayer squares and shawls are knit or crocheted. Each shawl becomes a tangible way to be surrounded by God’s love and comfort. The prayer squares are smaller, sized to fit in a pocket, and have been presented to members of our military as they are deployed. This is another reminder of the presence of God in a time of need.

After being blessed during a worship service, they are presented with a card to recipients in our community as a gift of comfort, hope, and peace. Both cards are created by the Prayer Shawl Ministry and signed, "With many blessings..."

The card accompanying the prayer square reads, "When you are feeling lonely or need comfort, reach for me in your pocket. You are not alone - God and our prayers are always with you."

The card accompanying the prayer shawl reads, "May God's grace be upon this shawl... warming, comforting, enfolding, and embraciing. May this mantle be a safe haven, a hug from God and 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."

We have presented over 50 shawls and over 100 squares to recipients. Recipients of our shawls/squares are not always local people. Squares have traveled to Iraq and California. Shawls have traveled to Massachusetts and New Jersey. Several of our recipients have since passed away, their shawls remaining as a comfort to the surviving family member. These “hugs from God” have been received with much gratefulness and continue to bless not only the recipient but the giver as well.

            For additional information, call the church office at 356-2324.

New... click HERE
to submit an online
request for a Prayer Shawl or Square.