On January 13th, First Presbyterian Church Prayer Shawl Ministry offered 209

scarves for dedication and blessing by our church family.

Our Sequoia (Grades 6-8) and IMPACT (Grades 9-12) Youth Groups and their

advisors were blessed at both services, and received 76 colorful fleece scarves for their groups. Those who are going to the Springhill Retreat in February will not only enjoy the warmth, but also wear a symbol of their friendship and membership in the youth groups at FPC.

The traditional service at 10:30 also included 133 hand-made knitted and crocheted warm neck scarves for guests at our Warming Center when they arrived on January 20th. Younger children and members of our congregation had the opportunity to lay their hands on and add their own personal blessings to all of the 209 scarves.

With celebration and thanks to God and the Holy Spirit for the dedication of the many women who have used their heart, hands, and time to contribute to the Prayer Shawl Ministry over these past 3 1⁄2 years, 773 items have been donated. For recipients in need of comfort, healing, peace, and celebration, these gifts of love serve as tangible evidence of the love and care that God and our church family has for them.

Please note that beginning in February we will change our meeting dates to the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month at 10-11:30 in the Parlor. We will be meeting on February 14th and 28th and hope you will join us. Now that our special projects are completed, we will go back to making prayer shawls and lap robes.

New members of any ability level are always welcome. Most members generally use easy patterns. Whether you can make one or several items in a year, please come to our meetings or feel free to work at home and donate your items as they are completed.

We have a coupon exchange open to anyone in our church family who is making items for the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Please feel free to donate or take coupons for Michaels, Jo-Ann’s, or Hobby Lobby to help with the costs of materials for your projects. Cut coupons can be dropped off or taken from the round container on the table in the narthex. Contact Mary Murphy or Carole Scharnweber for more information.