Welcome to the online Prayer Shawl Ministry Group! We are delighted that this circle of prayer shawl makers has bonded in cyberspace.

In 1997, we graduated from the Women's Leadership Institute (WLI) at The Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut. As a result of our experience in the WLI, a program of applied feminist spirituality under the direction of Professor Miriam Therese Winter, MMS, we gave birth to the Prayer Shawl Ministry in 1998.

Compassion and the love of knitting/crocheting have been combined into a prayerful ministry and spiritual practice which reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace, as well as in celebration and joy. Many blessings are prayed into every shawl.

Whether they are called Prayer Shawls, Comfort Shawls, Peace Shawls, or Mantles, etc., the shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient. The intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Upon completion, a final blessing is offered before the shawl is sent on its way. Some recipients have continued the kindness by making a shawl and passing it onto someone in need. Thus, the blessing ripples from person-to-person, with both the giver and receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of a sheltering, mothering God!

EXCITING NEWS!!
We are eager to share the exciting news with all of you that we have agreed to work with the publishing company, Taunton Press, on a second book about the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Many of you are already familiar with our first book "The Prayer Shawl Companion," which featured knitted prayer shawl patterns. Now it's the crocheted version - "The Crocheted Prayer Shawl Companion." We look forward to its release, Fall, 2010, and will make an announcement as to when it will be available.
Threefold Blessings,
Janet and Vicky