news-record.com

Prayer shawls have been described as gifts of the heart.

These shawls cannot be purchased, as they are lovingly made to be given as gifts to those who may need the comfort, love and prayers that go with each shawl knitted.

A group of 25 women are involved in this ministry at West Market Street United Methodist Church and have made and given away about 250 shawls to date. More are constantly being made.

Not only are the shawls given out locally, but they are taken worldwide by mission teams to such places as Mississippi and Mexico and by medical teams to Guatemala and other Central and South American countries.

In July, 18 mission team members also took prayer shawls to Bulgaria, as West Market Street UMC has adopted three small Methodist churches there.

One facet of this mission effort was to help the women in the three churches establish knitting ministries.

"Sarah Hester has been the heart and soul of this ministry since it was started four years ago," said Kay Arthur, a member of this ministry.

Hester had a distinguished career before her retirement in 1998 as an assistant hospital director at Wesley Long Hospital.

Perhaps it was during her years of working at Moses Cone Hospital, Baptist Hospital and Wesley Long Hospital, where Hester witnessed the suffering of many people, that she first looked for another tangible way to ease the mental and physical burdens of others after her retirement.

"We have all faced situations where words are not enough, and we feel at a loss to offer meaningful consolation," Hester said.

In 2004, she became president of the United Methodist Women at West Market Street church.

Hester said, "I was sitting with a friend at the hospital waiting room one day and saw a member of her family knitting. She explained the concept of the prayer shawl, and I knew right away that establishing a prayer shawl ministry would be my goal for the next two years."

At that time, Hester said she did not know Helen Clark, a member of circle seven, who knew about prayer shawls and had even encouraged the women in her circle to knit shawls for women they knew who were going through life-threatening illnesses.

Before Clark died, she had planted the seeds to start this important ministry and had even taught a knitting class at the church.

As UMW president, Hester went forward with the prayer shawl ministry. She feels that this ministry has attracted knitters of all skill levels because of its uniqueness.

The shawls are usually delivered personally by members of the knitting ministry, but have also been delivered by members of West Market's clergy when the situation involves an out of town hospitalized person.

"By knitting prayer shawls and blankets," Hester said, "the women in this ministry have found a means of expression that transcends gender, age, stage in life and circumstances.

"Our recipients have held onto them at night, used them as wraps while confined to wheelchairs, used them as a cover in their hospital beds, and wrapped their babies in them," Hester said.

Those who receive the shawl or blanket have been faced with life-changing situations, diagnoses and loss. The shawls have also been given in celebration of hallmark events.

Once a month, each of two groups of knitters meet. Hester said the women feel gratified to be part of something that allows them to sharpen their skills, to enjoy community together and to work toward common goals.

Part of each gathering is the blessing of the shawls. Participants enter into a period of silence and they pass each completed shawl around the circle for individual silent prayer.

"I think that even though we are blessing someone else's work, we want to be a part of the expression and our prayers give us that opportunity," Hester said.

There may be as many as 10 to 12 shawls to bless at a meeting and one of the pastors is invited to join and bless the shawls.

"We value the prayer of ordained clergy at this point in the process" Hester said, "and don't feel our gifts are ready until they have received that official blessing."

From the beginning, the prayer shawl ministry has been open to nonknitters.

It is felt that if someone cares enough to invest his or her time and desires sincerely to be a part of this ministry, help is available within the two knitting circles.

A series of classes are also offered to anyone who wants to explore the possibility of participating in this ministry.

Christ United Methodist Church on Holden Road has also recently started a prayer shawl ministry.

The shawls will be made and given to those in the Christ Church family and others in time of need. Knitting groups will start meeting each at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

As Kay Arthur said, "Our prayer shawl ministry is truly a mustard seed that is growing all over the world."

To contact Peggy Longmire, call her at 288-9040 or e-mail her at rlongmire@triad.rr.com