Presbyterian Women of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)


	Featured project archives Start your own shawl ministry Miraculous Moringas Letter Writing Knitted baby cap Looking for a new knitting or crocheting project? Fleece Infant Hat

	Start your own shawl ministry Shawls comfort and give solace, hug and wrap. And thanks to the shawl ministry started in 1998 by Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo, handmade shawls comfort people who are suffering and who need the prayers and love put into each shawl. The knitter (or crocheter) begins each shawl with prayers for the recipient. Throughout the creation of the shawl, the knitter intentionally knits with the needs of the recipient in mind. When the shawl is completed, the knitter gives it a final blessing and sends it to the person for whom it was created. Some recipients of the shawls have continued the blessings by making shawls themselves and passing them on to others in need. As Janet and Victoria say, “The blessing ripples from person to person, with both the giver and the receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of a sheltering, mothering God!” How can a shawl be used? Offer comfort to someone struggling with illness or who is suffering from a loss Aid in prayer or meditation Remember life’s milestones such as graduations, weddings, anniversaries or retirement Provide warmth and shelter for new parents and their babies Visit the Shawl Ministry Web site to learn more and get instructions for making a shawl. Do you have a project to share? Tell us about it!


	Miraculous Moringas In Tshikaji, a woman dries moringa leaves. Photo by Nancy Haninger In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, more than 30 percent of children under the age of five suffer from moderate to severe malnutrition, with one in five children dying before their fifth birthday from causes either directly or indirectly related to malnutrition. One particular type of tree — the moringa tree — provides an answer to this problem by providing not only a complete source of protein, but also potassium, calcium, iron, and vitamins A, C, B1 and B2. After planting the moringa seeds, only nine months pass before the tree grows and produces enough leaves to be tapped as a food source. The fresh leaves can be cooked and eaten or dried and made into a powder, which is often added to the traditional manioc dumplings most villagers eat, or is mixed in with vegetables, sauces and even cookies. Learn more about moringas and ways to fund additional moringas in the Congo.


	Participate in an Offering of Letters Bread for the World’s Offering of Letters asks people of faith to write letters to Congress in support of hunger-fighting legislation. The letters can follow the example provided by Bread for the World or may be written personally, but all are dedicated in prayer to God. Consider one of these hunger-awareness programming suggestions for the letter-writing event: Use the letters as an offering during a circle meeting or a worship service, dedicate the letters to God and say special prayers for hungry and poor people. Watch a short video about a community struggling with hunger and poverty; then write to your senators and representative asking them to support legislation that would help families in need in the United States. At a gathering or other special event, encourage other Presbyterian women to write letters to Congress after a presentation on hunger or as they arrive for a meal together. Visit the Bread for the World Web site to learn more about the Offering of Letters and communicating with members of Congress to take steps toward ending hunger. Sowing Seeds: Growing a Movement Join Bread for the World and thousands of people of faith who will gather to launch a renewed movement to end hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. The event will offer opportunities to develop skills for motivating others and mobilizing faith communities, to strategize ways to best influence decision-makers and to visit your representatives’ and senators’ offices to speak out for hungry people. The conference will be June 9–12, 2007, at American University in Washington, D.C. Visit the Bread for the World site to register or to learn more about the conference and the women’s pre-conference.


	Knitted baby cap This baby sports a Together in Service knitted cap. Photo by Cheri Harper. This easy-to-knit infant hat is a great idea for hands-on mission! Ask local hospitals or family shelters if they need baby caps or make them as gifts for new babies in your church. Baby caps such as these also are needed by our mission partners in Africa. See the Together in Service Guide for details. Instructions Use sport-weight yarn and size 6 needles Cast on 72 stitches Row 1: Knit 2, purl 2 to end of row Repeat row 1 until work measures 6 inches Next row: Knit 2 together to end of row Next row: Purl Next row: Knit 2 together to end of row Next row: Purl Next row: Knit 2 together to end of row Draw thread through remaining stitches to form circle and sew seam Top with a pom-pom Pom-pom We recommend a plastic pom-pom maker, but you may also use a 2-inch wide piece of cardboard. Wind yarn around the cardboard at least 30 times, then carefully slip the looped yarn off the cardboard, tie it tightly in the middle with a long piece of yarn, and cut the ends to separate strands and form the pom-pom. Using the same long piece of yarn, sew the pom-pom on the cap. If using a pom-pom maker, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.


	Looking for a new knitting or crocheting project? For more than 25 years, the Orphan Foundation of America (OFA) has provided funding and family-like support to foster youth in transition. Now OFA needs hand-knitted or crocheted scarves to include in Valentine Care Packages to college students without parents. The scarves will add a personal and loving touch to the packages, encouraging the student. Visit the OFA site to get guidelines and learn more about the project. Do you have a project to share? Tell us about it!


	This baby cap is easy to sew and makes a great hands-on project. Fleece Infant Hat This infant hat is a great idea for hands-on mission! This easy-to-sew hat makes a perfect gift for new babies in the church or can be sent to local hospitals or women's shelters. Baby caps such as these are also needed by our mission partners in Africa. See the Together in Service Guide for details. Instructions: Cut a circle of fleece 5 inches in diameter. Cut a strip of fleece 6 x 15 inches. Make sure that the stretch in the fleece is along the 15-inch side. Using a zig-zag or stretch stitch, sew together the two 6-inch sides, forming a band. Using the same stitch, sew the circle to one side of the band to form the hat. Turn over a 1 ½ inch hem on the other side of the band (the unfinished side) and sew hem in place. Use the same stitch used on seams. These measurements make a hat that fits a small infant. Consider also making larger hats for older babies and children. Do you have a project to share? Tell us about it!