Our Church, Our Home | Stitched Together

When St. John the Divine member Dianne Foutch started volunteering for the Sewing and Prayer Shawl Ministry, it had been years since she had picked up a needle and thread.

She had heard that no experience was necessary, and she was drawn to the idea of creating a prayer shawl for someone experiencing grief. So, she decided to give it a try. What she discovered was not only a way to care for others, but a community that would become an important part of her life.

“We are bonded through our joint participation doing something for our church, but we also laugh a lot!”, Dianne says. “Probably, it’s my therapy group!”

Established in 1939, the Sewing Group and the Prayer Shawl Ministry is St. John the Divine’s oldest ministry, dating back to before the walls of the current church were built. Today, its members continue the tradition of care through two groups, creating hand-embroidered baby blankets, beaded Christmas ornaments, and prayer shawls.

The generosity of St. John the Divine’s members helps cover the cost of yarn, bags, printing, and occasional mailing so the group can continue sharing these gifts with others.

Each prayer shawl is made for someone facing a difficult season and is given with a note explaining that the recipient has been held in prayer.

“There are so many wonderful stories from people who have received prayer shawls,” explains ministry leader Leigh Bonner. “Some people are grieving the loss of a loved one, others are undergoing medical treatment, while many are struggling with other deep distress in their lives.”

For more than 85 years, the hands around this table have changed, but the purpose has remained remarkably constant: creating tangible reminders that someone is cared for, prayed for, and not alone.

The knitters often don’t know who will eventually receive the shawl in their hands. Still, they pray for that person as they work.

As we knit, we pray that each person is strengthened by God's peace and the comfort of his love,” Leigh says. “It is a blessing to quietly and privately let parishioners know they are being remembered.”

That care extends around the table, too.

No sewing or knitting experience is necessary to become part of the ministry. All that is needed is the desire to help others and the readiness to have a good time with fellow ministry members. Ministry leader Marguerite Radhakrishnan describes the group as a place for both community and shared purpose.

“We feel we are able to use our hands to help lift up those in need,” she says.

For Dianne, that’s exactly what happened. She joined because she wanted to make something that might bring comfort to others. Along the way, she found friendship and belonging.

“Our group has become an important part of my life,” she says.

For more than 85 years, the hands around this table have changed, but the purpose has remained remarkably constant: creating tangible reminders that someone is cared for, prayed for, and not alone.

Find your place:

No sewing or knitting experience required! If you'd like to create something meaningful, serve others, and enjoy plenty of conversation and laughter along the way, we'd love to welcome you.

The Sewing and Prayer Shawl Ministry moves to Tuesdays this fall. Contact Marguerite Radhakrishnan to learn more.