ORONO – Susan Greenwood, 62, a lay leader at the Orono United Methodist Church and a sociology lecturer at the University of Maine, learned about the shawl-knitting ministry on the Internet. Those involved in the ministry knit shawls to mark joyous occasions or as comfort objects for those facing life crises. The shawls are blessed with prayers and loving thoughts.

“I thought it was a great idea,” Greenwood said. She has made two shawls, working independently. “There is no church group yet,” she said.

The pattern for the shawl is K3, P3, every row, and the pattern of three symbolizes redeemer, creator and sustainer – the Trinity, she said.

She made shawls for family connections, a husband and wife, who live in Ohio. The husband, she said, suffers from chronic pain from injuries suffered when he was a soldier in Vietnam and the wife is struggling with several painful personal issues.

“The wife is a Roman Catholic,” Greenwood said, “so I fashioned a fringe on one end that is like rosary beads. Much of what goes into the shawl is symbolic.” The color of the shawl is indigo, the color of spiritual insight, she said. “Her response was so positive. She takes the shawl with her on a long commute she has to make periodically and she says she feels comforted by having the shawl with her.”

Greenwood knit the husband’s shawl in purple, the color of leadership, royalty and wisdom. “I told him it was for him and his little dog, Rusty,” she said. Greenwood embellished the shawl with flag pins on one end and red, white and blue buttons on the other end. She took the shawl to church and laid it on the altar rail. Congregates were invited to lay hands on the shawl and bless it with their prayers.

Greenwood said she has started knitting a third shawl. “I don’t know who it’s for yet,” she said. But that’s OK, because part of the mystery of the ministry is that before she finishes knitting the shawl, the recipient will be revealed to her.

The shawl-knitting ministry came to Presque Isle in February when Wanda Garland came home to visit her mother, Hazel. Wanda brought directions for making the shawl, which she had received from her pastor, the Rev. Michelle Grube, who introduced the ministry to the Peoples United Methodist Church in Union.

In Presque Isle, the Grant Memorial United Methodist Church Circle embraced the shawl-knitting idea and two Sunday’s later, 12 shawls were dedicated. They were given to men and women in hospitals, to those who were homebound or in nursing homes.

In addition, the church has received shawls knit by parishioners in the Congregational Church and St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Directions for the shawl have been given to churches in Mapleton and Caribou.

The shawls are placed on the altar of Grant Memorial United Methodist Church and dedicated the second Sunday of each month.

“The shawls,” said 82-year-old Hazel Garland, “are an overwhelming blessing – God’s unconditional love to everyone. This is a churchwide project, not just a small group. Men and women knit them.” She said the church has four Circles and some members from each of those four groups knit shawls. To date, at least 75 shawls have been knit. “The one who knits is as blessed as the one who is knit for.”

Garland’s Circle averages 10 knitters at each monthly meeting. “We are all in our 70s and 80s,” she said. “It [knitting shawls] is continuing. As long as someone wants to knit one, there’s someone that wants to receive one.”

Churches, other organizations or individuals interested in becoming involved in the shawl-knitting ministry will find more information at www.shawlministry.com.

Ardeana Hamlin can be reached at 990-8153 or ahamlin@bangordailynews.net.