The Verdes Prayer Shawl Ministry began just five years ago. As of today, 314 shawls have been given to individuals in Rio Verde, Tonto Verde, Fountain Hills, and other places as distant as Missouri, Canada, and Afghanistan. The shawls have been hand knitted and crocheted by women of both the Community Church of the Verdes and St. Dominic Mission congregation in Rio Verde.

Men and women, and even some children, have been given these prayer shawls because they have experienced grief, surgery, cancer treatment, or illness. The shawls are given personally or mailed with a card that states: “This prayer shawl was crafted with prayers for your healing in body, mind, and spirit by a member of the Verdes Prayer Shawl Ministry. As you wear this shawl, may you feel the warm embrace of our Heavenly Father.”

The card also contains a “Prayer Shawl Blessing,” which is “May this prayer shawl touch you with God’s warm embrace. May it encircle you in times of joy and be a haven of comfort and support in times of sadness. May it cradle you in hope, surround you with peace, and grace you with courage and strength.” It concludes: “Please know that you are being remembered in prayer and love...’'the steadfast love of the Lord endures forever’ (Psalm 107:1).”

Smaller pastel shawls are also made and given for a special purpose; even though the Verdes are “55 and over” communities, occasionally a grandchild is baptized at the church, and the child is given a smaller pastel prayer shawl when the pastor, the Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup, introduces the child to the congregation as she walks down the church center aisle.

Prayer shawl knitters and crocheters meet in the chapel of the church the second Friday of each month to select new yarns and to exchange patterns and ideas. On a recent Sunday, the prayer shawl ministry was highlighted in worship and in the fellowship hour following worship.

Sherrill Beck and Lorelei Knorr are the leaders of this ministry. Anyone wishing to start a similar ministry at their church is welcome to call Sherrill at 471-0950 for assistance.