Prayer Shawl Group
Next Meeting
March 11th 1PM
We usually meet the second Tuesday of each month at 1pm. No sewing or knitting skills are needed to help. If you have the desire to lend a hand, we would love to have you join us. If you want to learn more, please contact Debbie Goodcourage at deg121254@gmail.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Debbie Goodcourage at deg121254@gmail.com.
History
September of this year will mark the 10 year anniversary of the Prayer Shawl Group. When Bill and I joined the church, we had decided we wanted to do so with full force. With the recent passing of my mom, I wanted to do something in her memory. Since she taught me all about knitting, crocheting and how to help others, I took the chance and found out there was interest in the church for knitting and crocheting. We met and discussed what we wanted as our goals and the rest is history. Our mission was and still is to help others through the talents that God has given us.
I thought it would be interesting to see what we, as a group, have done in those ten years. We have donated to various hospitals and organizations. We researched and found a few groups that needed our help. Besides making prayer shawls for members of our congregation who had surgery or lost a loved one, we started working with Metro Detroit Shares (an organization that put together memory boxes for parents who lost their child at birth – we made baby blanket, hat and booties sets). We then reached out to Beaumont Hospice and Beaumont Hospital, St Joseph Hospital in Pontiac and donated prayers shawls and blankets to many patients. We expanded to Samaritas and helped them by making blankets for the many children who were removed from their home and placed in foster care – sometimes having to leave in the middle of the night and not having time to take their favorite blanket with them. We even helped out the Howell Nature Center when they needed hand made woolen nests to place many abandoned baby birds. And then in 2017, we decided to help out Crossroads and made scarves and hats for those who attended the soup kitchen when GPC volunteered and have been doing so ever since.
I have tried to keep records over the years and thought this would be a wonderful time to share what we have made since our first meeting. You will see we have expanded our talents to include so many items. When we are asked if we can help, someone in our group steps up to tackle the need. So here goes:
99 Prayer Shawls
397 Blankets/quilts
47 Veterans Blankets for Beaumont
708 Cancer and cardiac pillows
500 Fidget lap pads (for autistic children & dementia patients)
35 Fidget muffs
12 Bird nests
101 Pillow shams for Beaumont
367 Hats and gloves Crossroads
1,020 Scarves for Crossroads 1,020
299 Rag dolls/toy bags for Beaumont & Crossroads
347 Cross body bags for Crossroads
105 Baby blanket sets
74 Preemie baby hats
3 Baptismal pillows
15 MiGen Christmas blankets
In total, the group has crafted 4,129 items. This does not even account for the numerous prayer squares that we have made available at church for anyone who needs them. This means our group has touched over 4,000 lives in many ways. We tried to reach out to those who need to know they are not alone and someone cares about them, and we all know how important that can be.
The members of this group have hearts that are overflowing with kindness. Thank you.
Letters of Appreciation from Corewell Health
December Potluck Meeting
These ladies deserved a night of delicious food, wonderful fellowship, lots of laughter and our fun gift exchange. After a year of dedication and very busy hands, we took a night to be thankful for the talents God has given us. This was Jess’s first year with us and she fit right in - even when it came to “stealing” during our gift exchange. May the good Lord watch over these ladies so we can continue serving God and helping those in need.
History of the Prayer Shawl Group
In April, 2016, the Greenfield Presbyterian Prayer Shawl Group met for the first time, gathering as a group of men and women who enjoy knitting, crocheting and fellowship, but also finding great fulfillment in spreading the love of God by knitting items of comfort to be given to people in need of solace.
Since its first meeting, the group has partnered with area hospitals, hospices, and shelters to donate over one hundred shawls, scarves, baby blankets, hats, and booties, to people who need some warmth in their lives. Even people from the church have received donations. As one recipient of a prayer shawl explained when she wrapped the shawl around her shoulders, she felt the loving arms of the church and felt God’s comfort. Prayer shawl meetings are filled with laughter and developing a true kinship between the group members. But most of all, they share their desire to help anyone in need. Hugs can make a difference in someone’s life and if we can’t be there to give a hug, the prayer shawl can do the hugging for us.
**These hospitals have a shortage of blankets and are asking for help. We are trying to provide these facilities with blankets that are 40×60 or 30×50 (for wheelchair patients) either knitted, crocheted or fleece blankets. Even if you do not attend the monthly Prayer Shawl meetings and are able to help us reach out to those in need.**
If you are interested in learning more about the mission, please contact Debbie Goodcourage at 248-288-6714 or deg121254(at)gmail.com.
“I’ve rarely felt so fulfilled working on a mission project as I have every time I sit down and work on my shawls. There is definitely a lot of love and prayers going into each one.”
Prayer Shawl member