An important part of Trinity’s healing ministry is the creation and distribution of mantles of healing. These are prayer shawls knitted by gifted folks and which are blessed by our priest and given to those in need as an expression of our love and our trust in God’s healing grace. In the first three years of this ministry, we have given out approximately 35 healing mantles to people of all ages with a variety of needs, including all kinds of physical illness, grief, and depression. One went to Hospice. Some recipients, when their immediate need was over, have returned theirs to be used to bless others. Time and again recipients have expressed how much the mantles mean to them, how loved and cared for they felt as they used them, how blessed to have a tangible way to feel enfolded in God’s love.

We are grateful for all the people who have been inspired to make the shawls. Several people have made more than one; one woman has knitted nine, another five. Without the generous hearts and skilled hands of these people this ministry would not be possible. These folks have found they are blessed with God’s presence as they knit these healing mantles and often start another after they have finished one. If you feel inspired to participate in this ministry, you will find the knitting instructions and prayers you may wish to use as you knit below. The pattern is simple, and those of us who haven’t knitted for many years have found it easy to pick up again. You may contact Pat Horn with any questions you may have about this program (patriciaohorn@mchsi.com).

SUPPLIES:     3 skeins of Lion Brand Homespun yarn (this is available at Walmart, K-Mart,     Ames and other discount stores)     Size 11 or 13 needles (Some knitters prefer the round needles     and some like size 15, although they are hard to hold.     The idea is to get a loose, comfortable weave.)

     PATTERN:

     Cast on 54, 57, 60 or 63 stitches, or some multiple of 3.

     Knit 3, purl 3 to the end of the row.

     Turn and knit the purl and purl the knit

     (If you have 57 or 63 stitches, you will begin every row with knit.)

A weave pattern will develop. Knit about 2 & 2/3 skeins in pattern. Use the rest of the yarn for fringe. The fringe can be as short as 3 inches or as long as 8 or 9 inches. It is up to you.

PRAYERS:

We suggest you weave prayers into your shawl as you knit, at the beginning or the end of the project. (see examples below) Many gather for a collective blessing of the shawl before it is given away.

There is no right or wrong way to knit or create these mantles of love and care. Enjoy!

Note: I have never knitted one without some mistakes. Fortunately the Homespun yarn is very forgiving. I got so tired of miscounting that I tried one all of knit stitches, and it looked fine too. In addition, I discovered as I typed these instructions that I had never really followed them at all. I have cast on 60 stitches and started every row with knit, and that makes a lovely wavy pattern. So there really is no right or wrong way to love these mantles into being. At Trinity , we have them blessed by the priest before passing them on. Below is the explanation we give to each recipient that includes some prayers you may want to use as you knit.

This mantle of healing is presented to you by the healing ministry of Trinity Episcopal Church in Apalachicola, FL, trusting that you will experience the power of God’s healing grace as you use it. Our prayer for you is that this gift, knit for you with love, may be a mantle and sign of God’s healing presence. May it always remind you of God’s abiding love. The following prayers have been prayed for you as this mantle was being knitted. We offer them to you so that you might pray them as you wrap yourself in the mantle.

In the beginning, Creating God, you formed my being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. To my flesh and blood you gave the breath of life. O Loving One, renew me this day in your love. Grant me life as gift of your faithfulness; grant me light to journey by; grant me hope to sustain me. May this mantle be for me a sign of your healing presence. May it warm me when I am weary; may it comfort me when I feel alone; may it surround me with ease of my suffering; may it encircle me with caring when I am in pain.

0 Christ, who healed the broken in body and spirit, be with me and all that suffer this day. Be with the doctors, nurses, technicians, chaplains and all that care for the sick. Be with the families and friends of those abiding with and comforting the sick. May your gentle yet strong touch reach out to heal all the broken and hurting people in our world.

I call nine blessings from above

1 knit/wear a mantle of caring.

I knit/wear a mantle of protection.

I knit/wear a mantle of wholeness.

1 knit/wear a mantle of strength.                

 I knit/wear a mantle of healing.

      I knit/wear a mantle of patience.

      I knit/wear a mantle to enfold you/me.

      I knit/wear a mantle to encircle you/me.

      I knit /wear a mantle to empower you/me.

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