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Senior women help make prayer shawls for needy
By Stefanie White, McKinney Courier-Gazette
Sue Wagstaff had been on a 40-year hiatus from knitting when she rediscovered the craft in the most unconventional way.
“I was reading mystery books about knitting,” Wagstaff said.
Though Wagstaff credits the mystery books for reintroducing her to knitting, it was a stronger influence that led her to start the Prayer Shawl Ministry at First United Methodist Church.
For the past year, about 35 members of First United Methodist Church and some non-members have been knitting prayer shawls various people in need.
“It’s somebody that has a need, either physical or emotional,” Wagstaff said. “We send some up to the heart hospital for patients up there who don’t have anybody with them. We give to lots of children and lots of men.”
The receivers of the prayer shawls are not the only ones who benefit. Debbie Howell said making the shawls has proven to be therapeutic.
“Knitting is relaxing for me,” Howell said. “It lets your mind kind of go other places to solve problems. Your hands are busy and you just kind of relax.”
Howell said she has been knitting most of her life, although she has mostly knitted dresses and blankets.
Carol Mielke didn’t have a clue about knitting when she joined the group but learned everything she needed to know from Elaine Hardin.
“My husband passed away a year and a half ago and the group started at the church and I never knit before but it looked like something fun to do,” Mielke said. “Elaine came over and I didn’t even know how to make a slipknot to start it. And I started a scarf, the biggest, longest red scarf you’ve ever seen.”
After a few practice runs, Mielke has become such an expert knitter that she knit a shawl easily.
“I can do it now and watch television and really not think,” Mielke said.
Hardin said she has found special moments in knitting the prayer shawls and not just when she is giving them to somebody.
“A memorable moment, it doesn’t have to do with presenting a shawl, when I told my eight-year-old granddaughter, she got so excited that she wanted to knit,” Hardin said. “It caught on with her, and she’s a very giving person anyways.”
Barbara Golding said she has found many spiritual moments in making and giving away the prayer shawls.
“What I like about it is the amazing blessing you get from blessing someone with one,” Golding said.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry collaborates via email at least once a month. The group hit a milestone recently with their presentation of their 200th shawl.
The recipients of the prayer shawls benefit from the shawls but all the women agree that they get so much in return.
“It’s very rewarding for the giver as it is for the receiver,” Hardin said.
Contact staff writer Stefanie White at swhite@acnpapers.com.
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