The July meeting was filled with the Spirit’s energy as we found ourselves, once again, welcoming new members, as well, as visiting with guests. God continues to bless this ministry. Our topic for the evening found us discussing the various chain re-actions that we might experience in our lives. We can all serve as links in the chain of God’s love.
I’ve been witnessing several chain-reactions in my life recently. When my daughters delivered the gift of those strawberries last month thinking that they could surprise us and in doing so, triggered a series of questions about the energy they experienced right here in this room that night. We shared in a great conversation about what this ministry does. Alexa then shared a quote with me knowing that I liked quotes and also knowing that I am always looking for them to use as ways of encouragement in moments such as this. It was simply her way of encouraging me, so that I could hopefully encourage you!
How about the chain-reaction each of you crocheters experience once you pick up your hooks? You actually begin with a chain!
Over the last month, a few of us got together to exchange skills. Both Kathy and I have been working on learning to crochet and in exchange, I’ve been teaching Cecilia Jones and a couple of teens to knit. What a room full of chain-reactions spilled forth during those few evenings this past month, as we sat there trying to keep our attitudes and frustration levels in check and smiles on our faces. Actually, laughter did spill over into the room. Statistically speaking, T-cells and endorphins were bouncing all around and energizing our bodies all evening long due to this encouraging laughter. Much like we hope that you’ll experience here when we meet each month! We hope that you’ll find this a time to reconnect and possibly look for others to small group with during the month to share your skills. For those of you that stay connected with us through email, we hope that this newsletter is a source of encouragement to help keep you refreshed and renewed in the knowledge that the work that you are doing in this ministry is valued.
Now, as for those crocheting lessons…crocheting is not exactly an unforced rhythm for me yet! I’m a knitter…what am I doing with a crochet hook in my hand?! J This hook is completely unnatural in my hands! In fact, there is nothing relaxing to me about this new skill! My hands ache…my arms even feel the tug and pull on muscles I’ve apparently not been using in awhile. Let me tell you…I’ve been humbled as I try to learn this new skill. To be able to find this as a new relaxing rhythm with yarn to one hook, instead of, yarn to two needles. I must admit that I find myself asking, will I ever learn this? Will I ever see how these chains form into the correct pattern? Will crocheting ever become an unforced rhythm of grace?!
I believe that Cecilia feels the same way about knitting! She emailed me the following day about her struggles but she had an analogy taking shape during her humbling, bumbling experience of developing this new skill of knitting! She said…
“I had an epiphany last night about the yarn and learning this new skill...I don’t care so much for knitting with this yarn. But I have to say it’s very pretty when a shawl is done. I think it’s a part of the cross that we are to bear as part of the trinity of the shawl.... The person that will receive the shawl may be suffering.... dealing with our own small complaints about this new skill or the yarn is simply a little cross for us to bear…so that we might feel in some small metabolic way connected more closely to the person who will receive the fruits of our labor.”
I liked her analogy…remembering back four years ago to the beginning stages of knitting, I must admit, I had many of the same feelings. This is reassuring! Bringing a ray of hope to what is so frustrating right now! I also remember the words of my wise knitting mentor, “Never ever let the yarn or pattern beat you! Never give up!” I stayed up until 1 a.m. that first evening of learning, trying to find success! Chaining and ripping, chaining and ripping until I had no feeling in my hands and my eyesight nearly shot!
Okay…the visual for the evening…my own chain re-action of sorts! My first crocheted baby shawl! A true lesson in patience and perseverance!
I decided to embrace Galatians 6:9 as I continue to learn this new skill…
“So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.”
As far as Chain-reactions go…by the grace of God, this wonderful ministry … these shawls … create a chain-reaction all their own!
We took some shawls to Jeri Philips with the youth ministry, as well as a gift certificate to Wal-Mart from our ministry to help provide supplies for the Mission trip this week of July 16 through July 23. They will be taking a few of our shawls to El Paso with them and allowing the Spirit to lead them to their God-assigned recipients. We will keep you posted on these particular Shawls.
Jeri shared a shawl story that touched my heart as so many of these stories tend to do. It also emphasized to me the importance of the fringe. We’ve spoken about the history and Hebrew roots of the fringe before, yet this was an example as to why we should consider keeping the fringe the suggested lengths in our pattern packet. Jeri’s daughter goes to college in Tennessee and plays on the volleyball team. Her coach’s wife was ill and in the hospital. Her daughter would call home not knowing how to respond or help in this situation. Jeri suggested a shawl. The shawl was sent and once received never came off the coach’s wife except for when the doctors would have to run tests or something of that nature. The coach (husband) decided to remove a few of the fringes so that he too could feel connected to his wife during this lengthy hospital stay. Unfortunately his wife did not survive but he still carries the fringes in his pocket. They chose to bury his wife in the shawl.
+ + +
THREADS OF HOPE
We have a few more shawl chain-reactions in the thank you cards that follow…
Thank you all so much for the beautiful shawl presented to me by Linda Bell while I was recuperating in the hospital after my surgery. A special thank you to Katy, whose loving hands crocheted the shawl and to all those who prayed over each stitch. May God Bless the Shawl Ministry of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Please use the small the small token enclosed any way you wish.
+ + +
To all the members of the Shawl Ministry, I want to thank you for the two shawls that were given to my parents. They were just beautiful. Dad had just returned from the hospital after by-pass surgery and was feeling very low when my mother fell and fractured her ribs. They both enjoyed wrapping up in their shawls especially at afternoon naptime. They were embraced by God’s loving arms. And they were so touched that our community was praying for them.
May God richly bless you and your ministry.
+ + +
To all the members of the Shawl Ministry, Thank you all so very much for the shawl we received from your ministry Dave slept the whole night at the hospital when we coved him with the shawl. God Bless you all.
+ + +
Dear Shawl Ministry, Thank you for giving my sister the beautiful shawl. Words can’t express how she felt when she received it. She received it shortly after she got the “Sacrament of the sick”, so I thought the timing was that of our Lord. You are a kind and loving group. Your ministry was there for me as well as for my sister.
+ + +
NICU PHP… 3 shawls have been handed out to three sets of parents who have experienced multiple losses. We recently removed life support from an infant whose entire life of 4 months was spent in our NICU and that Mother loved her shawl and was so grateful for the blessing that was a part of the shawl.
These shawls continue to work miracles every time a mom receives one. Please tell everyone how very much we appreciate this wonderful gift of this ministry!
+ + +
YOU MADE MY DAY! Thank you sooooo much for thinking of and supplying the Prayer Shawls and gift card. I truly appreciate your support! Peace, Jeri Philips
+ + +
Dear Friends of the Shawl Ministry—Thank you for your prayers thoughts and beautiful shawl while I was recuperating from double knee replacement. I almost feel guilty keeping such a beautiful shawl since I took one with me to the hospital and rehab center to work on while recuperating. However, I must admit they are very comforting. With gratitude and love, Pat Johnson
+ + +
Dear Ladies of the Elizabeth Ann Seton Shawl Ministry--
At the beginning of this year, with the guidance of Pat Johnson, [a member of Seton’s Shawl Ministry] we started a Shawl Ministry at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, in Hot Springs Village, AR. My name is Helga Mays and I was asked to head the ministry in the absence of Pat. With the help and enthusiasm of the ladies at our church we got a nice group together. We are busy knitting and crocheting shawls. So far we have given twenty of them away. We also got financial help from all the guilds at our general meeting for yarn and labels. One of our ladies Pat Maher worked real hard to find a good deal to have some labels made. I am so excited about the progress we are making and thought I would share our good news with you. May God bless all of you.
“Only a life lived for others, is a life worthwhile.”
--Albert Einstein
http://www.chancy.org/family/shawl%20ministry/JournalIndex.htm
--JULY 2005—
Resource Information: Prayer-- from The Word Among Us