Goodsoil: A Rainbow of Prayer

A Rainbow of Prayer

Over two thousand rainbow scarves, created lovingly by volunteers, adorned voting members and supporters alike at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly in 2007 demonstrating support for a welcoming church. In August 2009, the ELCA meets for its next assembly. There are several proposals before the Assembly that pertain to the full inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender members and their families in the life of the church. Lutherans Concerned/North America (LC/NA) is supporting proposals addressing these issues, including the Social Statement on Human Sexuality, the rostering of partnered LGBT ministers, and the blessing of same-gender relationships.

These decisions will be met with much soul searching and prayer. To that end, LC/NA would like to provide prayer shawls to be used by participants at the assembly. These shawls will be for use in the chapel area and to remind participants to prayerfully consider every issue. LC/NA is requesting the participation of all RIC congregations to contribute at least one shawl. The shawls will be tagged with the contributing church’s name and story.

Jerry makes it easy to pray without ceasing.

The shawls may be quilted, woven, crochet, or knit. The size should be about 72” x 18”. The design is left up to the person creating the piece. They can be as simple or elaborate as desired, with or without fringe, and of any color – the intent is to have a rainbow of individually colored, not rainbow-colored, shawls. Should a congregation find they are unable to contribute a shawl but would like to participate in the project, they are invited to make a monetary donation and a shawl will be created and tagged for them. Congregations are asked to have a service of blessing for the shawl(s) before sending them.

Download patterns for the shawls here:
Knit
Crochet

Tips for contributors: A prayer shawl is a bigger project than a scarf, so one busy knitter suggests making the shawls from a collection of squares. It unites a number of people into one project, and allows more people to become involved without committing to a large project.

Individuals could contribute one or more squares; then the squares could be assembled into one shawl, with a border added around the edge. The squares would measure about 9" x 9" each, and could be of different designs from one color yarn or from a variety of shades of one color. The contributors may use any scrap yarn so their shawls will be of a beautiful variety of textures, shades and designs.

The hope is to have every RIC congregation and LC/NA Chapter represented, as well as other churches and individuals who wish to contribute. Please let us know at DylanF@lcna.org if you are planning to make one or more so we can estimate participation.

The goal is 500+ prayer shawls.
Updated 8/13 - So far we have over 450 shawls!
**If you haven't sent your shawls by now, and are coming to Churchwide, just bring them instead!

Completed shawls should be sent or delivered by August 10, 2009, to:

Lutherans Concerned/North America
Dylan Flunker
P.O. Box 4707
St. Paul, MN 55104-0707

Download this announcement to print and share with friends or your congregation.

Keep updated about Goodsoil and Churchwide Assembly 2009.

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