Our mission is to provide hope, comfort, and healing to those who most need a reminder of God’s love for them through the work of our hands and the prayers in our hearts.

Meetings

The members of St. William’s Prayer Shawl Ministry would like to invite you to participate in creating a Prayer Shawl or small Afghan that would give comfort to someone in need. This can be done in a group setting as well as in the comfort of your own home.  We meet on the third Wednesday of every month in the Adult Meeting Room of St. William Church at 6:00 p.m. At these meetings we share the stories of the people who have received shawls, we discuss challenges and successes with our current projects, we enjoy each other’s company, and we bless the completed shawls.

Our ministry is open to everyone – even if you don’t have the time to attend the meetings! Shawls can be created at home on your own time and at your own speed

Giving a Prayer Shawl

Do you know someone who is in need of a prayer shawl? Perhaps he or she is undergoing a physical or emotional challenge. Perhaps he or she has experienced a personal loss. Perhaps he or she just needs a tangible reminder that there are people who care and that God continuously wraps each and every one of us in His awesome love!

To obtain a shawl for a loved one, please contact the Parish Office at 330-847-8677.

Praying With a Prayer Shawl

Over the centuries, shawls have come to symbolize shelter, peace, and spiritual sustenance. The origin of the prayer shawl is an Old Testament biblical practice held by Jewish men; these shawls are called a tallit. After Moses led the Hebrew people from the land of Egypt and God spoke His commands, Jewish men began the practice of wearing a prayer shawl. These shawls were not only worn at times of prayer, but they were also worn throughout the day. The shawl represents a sense of personal space. It can feel like you are wrapped in the arms of God.  

This feeling of God’s presence is also used by Christians by creating hand knitted and crocheted shawls. The members of the St. Williams Prayer Shawl Ministry have lovingly donated their time and talents to give comfort and spiritual strength to the elderly, sick, dying, lonely, and the poor. They are also given to people at times of celebrations, such as baptism, at the birth of a child or shares in the accomplishment of the graduate and newlywed. When we read Scripture or spend time in prayer, a prayer shawl can be confronting, it can help us feel closer to God.

The Prayer Shawl begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient. These intentions are continued throughout the creation of the Shawl. The shawls are blessed in honor of a saint or angel. When completed, the shawl is given to someone experiencing a particularly challenging time and in need of prayer. Prayers that accompany the shawls ask God to help renew the body as well as the spirit. Like all acts of generosity, the presentation of a Prayer Shawl enriches the giver as well as the recipient. Periodically, these shawls are blessed during a weekend church service.

For more information

If you are interested in learning more about the Prayer Shawl Ministry, please complete the form below or contact the Parish Office at 330-847-8677 or parishoffice@stwilliamchampion.org