Knitting ministry helps Sisters residents in need

Local residents in need of comforting have received the warmth — both literal and symbolic — of a gift from a new knitting ministry group that meets monthly at Sisters Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration.

“So far we’ve given over 30 shawls to various people who have been sick, need comforting, or to celebrate life’s achievements,” said Mimi Miller, leader of the local group.

More than 10 women have met monthly since December to work together producing the finished shawls. At the end of each meeting, prayers are said over each shawl. The women also work on the shawls at home between meetings. Finished shawls are blessed before being given to recipients.

“We try and allow people receiving shawls to pick their colors,” said Miller. “The group selects ‘manly’ colors for males receiving shawls.”

“These are very thoughtful people,” said Peggy Benton, a shawl recipient recovering from a recent fall. “I have a lounge chair and the shawl comforts me from head to toe while I’m sitting there.”

Many of the shawl recipients also become more involved by knitting shawls to give back to the group for use with new recipients. Peggy Click-Taylor is one such case of a local recipient receiving a shawl during her illness and producing a new shawl to pass on to another in need.

Mimi Miller was excited by a recent large donation from a local person that allowed her to purchase yarn to be used by the group.

The colorful skeins of yarn were distributed at the last meeting.

A scrapbook is kept up to date by the knitting ministry listing all recipients of shawls, a sample of the yarn used and notes.

Marilyn Handy co-chairs the group with Miller. Miller first learned of the knitting ministry while on an Elderhostel trip to Ireland in 1998. The idea comes from Vicky Galo and Janet Bristow, who were trained in New England at the Hartford Seminary.

Those interested in more information may read “Knitting into the Mystery” by Susan Jorgensen and Susan Izard. For more information call 549-7087.