Prayer Shawls for Newtown
Dear Editor,
As I watched opening ceremonies of the Super Poweroutage Bowl, I was reminded of the resilience of people and our country during times of tragedy. The young voices of the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT choir singing so sweetly, bravely and powerfully to all of us...about "America" brought such tears to my eyes. And perhaps to yours as well.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Groton sent out prayer shawls to Newtown after the terrible event. We have received a poignant letter of thanks from Saint Rose of Lima Parish extending their thanks and love for the generosity and kindness for the shawls. They have received almost 1,000 shawls from well wishers around the world and have distributed them to teachers, grieving friends and families, bus drivers, neighbors of victims, the first selectwoman, fire fighters, the staff of the pre-school next door to Sandy Hook school, and to so many others. One hundred shawls were taken to all the people who work at the relocated Sandy Hook school.
Their work of distributing shawls continues. They are still accepting shawls, and gifts of solace for school employees at other schools in town. They have asked for our prayers as they continue to accept donations and give shawls to two more schools, the middle schoolers, and high school and their teachers.
Please know that locally we can make a difference in helping to heal the wounds. A mother of a little girl that was killed asked to tell the person who made her shawl that as soon as she put it on, she felt peace.
If you would like to knit or crochet a shawl, I am collecting donations and am happy to send them on to Newtown, CT. Please feel free to contact me at 978.448.2669 if you have any questions about our local ministry, and would like to help. Or if you would like more information on the national Prayer Shawl Ministry, please visit the site at www.shawlministry.com
Sincerely,
Nanette Roberts,
Chair, Prayer Shawl Ministry
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
