“Shawls ... made for centuries universal and embracing, symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving, God. They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter and beautify. Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to fly above their troubles…” --Written in 1998 by: Janet Bristow © 2005

The concept of Shawl Ministries was started in 1998 by Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo, both graduates of the 1997 Women’s Leadership Institute at The Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut.

Following the inspiration received from looking at the Shawl Ministries website http://www.shawlministry.com, long-time SUCC member and talented knitter Brenda Gabrielson brought the idea to our church.

The first 30 shawls were knitted and crocheted in 2003 by a talented group of our members and distributed to family and friends in need of Christian comfort and love.

Many more shawls have been made and distributed over the last two years. This continues to be a wonderful ministry and a way to reach out to members of our church family as well as others needing to be wrapped in the warmth provided by the shawls. You need only read the notes written by the people who have received a shawl to know their impact.