Mary Lou Thompson started our Prayer Shawl Ministry in the Fall of 2008 asking interested folks to meet once a week to knit or crochet prayer shawls. The group researched patterns and ideas for shawls and gave their first shawl to a "secret prayer shawl sister". Prayer Shawls are given for many occations such as illness, births, weddings, graduations, death, other sorrows and celebrations. In addition to shawls the group has made colorful prayer squares for children and babies, and pocket squares small enough to carry in a pocket or purse. Many people outside our church family have received blessings, even in Africa.