Over 300 Served!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction...For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 

~2 Corinthians 1:3-5~

This week our church celebrated World Communion Sunday by sharing in the offering of Christ's body. Partaking in the Eucharist is such a beautiful experience, it is not only a time of communion with our Lord, but an experience in connecting with fellow Christians and a time of transformation, during which we are reminded of our collaborative roles as Christ's present body in this world.  

While Jesus walked this earth He spent a lot of time healing and comforting others. So, it follows, that as His body, we should be dedicated to sharing comfort as well. Comfort can seem like an intangible thing, something that can be difficult to offer outside of kind words and prayer. However, when God's people come together in His name, we are able to break through such limiting notions to find new ways to be present in the lives around us.

For four and a half years a group of women from our congregation have been knitting shawls of different colors and sizes to be distributed to those in need of comfort and/or healing. Once a shawl is completed, it is labeled with the message: "A gift for you from University United Methodist Church with a prayer for your peace and comfort". 

During the Sunday services on September 28th, the congregation was blessed with the opportunity to hear more about our prayer shawl ministry. Pastor Randall told us about the impact that the shawls have made on the lives around us and we all got to be a part of blessing the newly knitted shawls that will soon go out to others in need of comfort. We learned that since the ministry first began in early 2010, over 300 shawls have been given away, not only to Las Cruces residents, but to people beyond state lines as well. 

Amid the shawls ready to be given away sits a binder full of thank you notes that the church has received since the beginning of this ministry. Some are simple notes of gratitude and some are letters of testimony--all are witness to the way God works in our lives. Here are some excerpts from a few of the cards:

I want to thank you so much for the wonderful, beautiful prayer shawl. I am so comforted and blessed by it and feel the love and caring that was put into it.

Thank you so much for the beautiful prayer shawl and all the prayers that you put into it. I have used it daily when i meditate and know I am enveloped in God's light and peace. 

I feel the Holy Spirit within me & now a shawl of love around me--thank you!

I received your church's prayer shawl in today's mail--oh, did the tears flow... It is on my chair where I sit to do my devotions and it will bring me much comfort and peace knowing that it was made and sent with much love. [e-mail sent from Ohio]

It means so much to know that there are such wonderful people that take the time to care about and pray for whom they only know of through friends... 

This ministry is a great example of the simple things that can be done to spread Christ's love throughout our communities. All it takes is a heart for God's creation and dedication to caring for those he cherishes. 

All are welcome to take and give shawls as they see fit, just come by the office any time during the week to pick one up. Our knitters do well to keep our shelves stocked, so that comfort is ready to be offered whenever there is a need. 

The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets every 4th Tuesday at 6pm in the church parlor. If you like to knit or crochet (or would like to learn how) drop by and meet all of the wonderful ladies who act as Christ's hands to offer comfort to His beloved people. If you can't make the meetings and you are interested in being involved in this ministry, or would like to donate supplies, feel free to stop by the office for a chat or email me (chrisann@uumclascruces.org) for more information.