McLeod Memorial Church Prayer Shawl Ministry

~ Update ~

In Feb. 2008, McLeod began a PSM and it has been nothing but stitch, knit & purl ever since!  Half of our members belong to McLeod; the other half come from various churches and spiritual paths in the area.    We have a room in which to meet and store our things – come visit:  last Sunday School door on the left! We meet every other Tuesday night (5:00 – 6:30 during the winter months, 6:30 – 8:00 the rest of the year.  See the church calendar page for specific dates)  and we send out an e-newsletter every week nation-wide.  I’d love to add your email address to the distribution list!

Currently, we are weaving together five major projects. 

1.                The main project is based on the scripture Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.  We give shawls away to anyone who has suffered loss, illness, or times of difficulty.  Please help us do this by praying for us and those who receive the shawls and by filling out the recipient cards on the poster in the fellowship hall.  If you would like to help with this project, we could always use postage money. 

2.                A second project is based on the scripture John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  We donate shawls to next-of-kin through the Prayer Shawls for Fallen Soldiers national organization.  Please help us do this by praying for us and for all the thousands of families who have lost loved ones as a result of serving our country.  If you would like to help with this project, we could always use postage money. 

3.                A third project is based on the scripture Psalm 139: 13-14  For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your words are wonderful, I know that full well.  We donate baby items to two local Teen Parent Centers – Ridge and Lakeland.  Please help us by praying for us and for these babies.   If you would like to donate items for this project, please contact me.

4.                A  project close to my heart is based on the scripture Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’  We are making caps for about 180 boys between the ages of 14 and 21 who are in two local residential centers: Avon Park Youth Academy and New Horizons Residential Center.  Please help us by praying for us and for these young teens who have lost their way amidst calamity that they can find the plan God has for their lives.  Also, if you would like to donate knitted caps, please contact me.  Please note, we can not use red or blue (gang colors).

5.                Our newest project is supplying shawls and afghans for the Mary E. Walker House, a residential center for homeless women veterans. Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.   As you may know, I write a weekly column for veterans on BellaOnline Magazine.  I was researching information about an article on homeless vets (see The Few, The Brave, The Homeless) and found information about the Mary E Walker House   – which shelters about 30 women veterans.  I wrote to them and asked how we could help.  The reply was a request for 6 shawls and 30 afghans (as Christmas presents).  So, I thought we could make the afghans from granny squares – using your scrap yarn – but bright colors only!  Rather than the traditional black center and borders, I thought we should use white yarn – because these women need hope.  Click here for directions to make a simple granny square.  You can also make other squares – as long as they are 5 inches across (not corner to corner as most books describe).  So our knitters will have no problem making 5 inch squares.  Also, if you have a particularly pretty 5 inch block you like making, please make 30 of them and we will put one in each of the afghans.  For example, I have made 30 blocks with a pink heart surrounded by white.  There are many books out there with granny square block patterns.  They often times need a little adjustment to make the size of the finished square equal what you want.   Every time we have 63 blocks done, we can start binding them together in 7 by 9 block grids.  Bound in white and bordered by white and something pretty – maybe pink scallops (to be decided by the group).  If you would like to help with this project, please pray for us and for these women and the people who work with them.  Plus, we will definitely need help with the postage when the time arrives. 

If you wish to join us in this project – we’d LOVE it!   Please mail your checks or 5 inch blocks to: 

Prayer Shawl Ministry

c/o McLeod Memorial Presbyterian Church

695 W. Stuart St.

Bartow, FL 33830

Please help us do these projects by praying for us, giving us suggestions, and joining us in our ministry.  Even if you don’t knit or crochet, come sit with us.  We have a lot of fun and have even been known to go out to Chinese Restaurants!!!

For more information, please contact any of our members, or Evelyn Rainey  GraceJoyHope at yahoo dot com