PROJECT 16:49

MISSIONS AND OUTREACH

We are a body of people who believe that Jesus Christ is Lord — meaning that God lived on earth in the form of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus Christ taught us how to live, died for our sins, rose from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of the Father. Our congregation consists of people from every race, of many languages and nationalities (about 25 nations represented on a typical Sunday morning!), of all ages, educational levels, marital statuses, and economic levels. We are all sinners who have thrown ourselves on the grace of God, and we live with a joy and peace because God graciously forgives. God’s Holy Spirit lives in us, and changes us from what we should otherwise be without Him.

prayer shawl ministry

In 2007, two women at Asbury UMC, Linda Sailing and Maggie Bunderson, started the Prayer Shawl Ministry with an invitation to anyone who could knit or crochet to join them in creating shawls which are then given as gifts of hope, comfort, healing, peace and love. Since then, we now have 6-8 women creating shawls and others who donate yarn.

These Shawls are available if you would like one or know someone who needs a warm hug and prayer. Shawls are available for members and friends to share when hospital and home visits are made.

This ministry blesses many–those who pray as they create, those who pray as they give and those who receive the warmth of our love and prayers.

Please just call the church office or stop in and pick one up.

______________________________________________________

In the fall of 2006, church member Linda Sailing was browsing in the JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts store and noticed an instruction book title The Prayer Shawl Ministry.  As she had recently attended a church council meeting at Asbury where Pastor Ann Spindt-Henschel had asked the question: "What new ministry might we begin at Asbury to reach out to others and show caring and love?"  A light bulb lit up in her mind and she purchased the book. (Do you think this might have been the spiriting moving her in the right direction?)

Linda talked with her Asbury friend, Maggie Bunderson, and asked if she might be interested in joining her in this ministry of making and giving away prayer shawls.  In response, Maggie replied "as long as it doesn't require another meeting at church, I would be willing to crochet at home and donate shawls." So, in January of 2007, the Asbury Prayer Shawl Ministry was launched.

The original prayer shawl ministry begain with a group of women in 1998.  What started out as a grass-roots movement has quickley grown into an international numbs of shawls being given to grateful recipients around the world.  The ministry's message of caring is simple and enduring and like all acts of generosity, both the giver and recipient are enriched.

During the first year, over 70 shawls were made and given away to Asbury members in need and to residents in local nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  In 2008, it was found unnecessary to keep record of how many shawls were being given to those in need of prayer and caring, but continued to label and place our completed shawls in the pews for all members to distribute.

A special thanks goes to all those who donate yard to this ministry.