Orphan Foundation of American’s Red Scarf Project – www.orphan.org

"Send warmth and encouragement to America’s college-bound foster youth.  OFA needs thousands of handmade scarves to put in our Valentine Care Packages to these parentless youth attending college on their own.  Your handiwork will truly be the personal touch in these packages and bring students the encouragement they need to move forward and graduate to a brighter future. For over 25 years, OFA has provided funding and family-like support to foster youth in transition."

********************

Prayer shawl Ministry

by Robyn Josephs

 

The Prayer Shawl Ministry (PSM) is an interweaving of our love for fibers and our love for each other. For me, PSM is also a living witness to the power of prayer to bring comfort and joy into our lives.

 

A few years ago, my friends, the two Glorias began to meet on a regular basis to share their personal ministry of creating shawls to give to others in need of comfort and prayer. I felt a call to ask to join them, and asked if we could widen the circle to include others who felt called to PSM.

 

For two years we have been gathering at Media Friends Meeting, Media PA, once a month. All are welcome. We bring our individual projects and work together for support and fellowship. Often we discuss the transitions and difficulties that need blessing (including our own). At the end of the evening we put the work of our hands into the center of the circle and pray aloud and silently for these garments to deliver love, compassion and healing.

 

Our gathering is very informal, but we are faithful to keeping our scrapbook of garments made and given. This helps to let go of the garments and is a treasured record of our PSM journey together. Every page tells many stories of the healing power of fiber and prayer.

 

I’ll share one.

 

Tom Fox, a Friend and Christian Peace Team member was kidnapped and murdered in Iraq. There was a long period of 24 vigils between his capture and death. I felt strongly called to send a shawl to this vigil, but couldn’t decide if I should send it to his home Meeting, or to one of his children. We decided to send it to the meeting. After Tom’s death, we received a message that the shawl was in constant use in Langley Hill Meeting. At Tom’s memorial service, the shawl was presented to his daughter, who expressed great comfort from all the love and prayer infused in the shawl. All of us in our circle feel equally comforted and blessed.

 

The need for our shawls, hats, scarves and lap robes is great. Sometimes we are creating garments for people we know well, and sometimes unknown recipients. We try to keep some in our box in the Meeting house closet, with a prayer card attached, at all times. Recently a Friend was asked to give a Friend a ride home from the hospital. When she picked him up, she discovered he was going blind and he hadn’t told anyone. I was surprised when I looked in our box to see one shawl was gone. I looked in the book, and there was one line August 2006 – “One shawl taken”, and then his name. His wife recently told me he sleeps with his shawl and wears it under his coat.

 

We are having a PSM retreat at Pendle Hill a Quaker Study Center, in Wallingford, Pa over New Years Dec 29- Jan 1.This will be a time of sharing our work together, with no formal instruction, and times of active silence. All are welcome to join us for any amount of time, and bring their handwork. We will have needles and yarn available for those who need it.

 

For information on sojourning, lodging and meals at Pendle Hill, see www.pendlehill.org, or 610 566 4507 or  800-742 3150. For specific info about the PSM retreat, email Robyn forrestwife@yahoo.com

____________________________

Robyn Josephs is a fiber artist, weaver, spinner, colorist and PFG (professional fiber godmother) She lives in Rose Valley, PA.

********************

Guidepost Knit for Kids 10th Anniversary

More than 300,000 sweaters have been knitted and sent to needy children all over the world because of a Guideposts editor’s reminiscence about her childhood.

In March, 1996 the story appeared about knitting sweaters for refugee children and now Guideposts celebrates their tenth year. They receive nearly 4,000 sweaters per month!

Guideposts has partnered with many leading organizations including, World Vision and Feed the Children to clothe needy children in America and around the world in places like Romania, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Kosovo.

For sweater patterns or more information, visit Guidepost website.