Fiber Fellowship Provides Prayer Shawls to Breast Cancer Alliance

There is no better feeling than donating something to a good cause. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Wilson College has been showing their support to women with breast cancer by knitting chemo caps. These caps are given to patients who lose their hair due to chemotherapy.

Fiber Fellowship, a student club that meets weekly to relax and do crafts, made these caps in the past, but this year they decided to do something different. This year Wilson College is making and donating Prayer Shawls to the Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance.

The Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance is a faith-based ministry whose mission is to provide current and updated education and information in the areas of breast cancer and preventative health care for women and men in Franklin County and surrounding areas of Pennsylvania.

“Prayer Shawls are a ministry,” said Rosie Magee, Helen Carnell Eden Chaplain. “They are knitted with prayer and they represent God’s love.”

The knitting of prayer shawls is an annual event that begins in October and runs until the end of this semester. Anyone is encouraged to join.

“People who don’t know how to knit have donated yarn for us to use,” said Ellen Mayhugh, Wilson College Nurse. “Any community member that is interested in joining can contact Rosie or myself.”

Another way to help is to come to Fiber Fellowship Tuesday evenings from 8 p.m. through 10 p.m. in the Lenfest Lobby. There is something for everyone, and even if you don’t know how to knit, you can help make fabric flowers that will be pinned to the shawls.

Ellen and Rosie were asked what message they would send to anyone suffering from cancer. “It is very much a personal thing about the relationship I have with that person. The word cancer is such a broad blanket,” said Magee. “But even if people don’t feel hope, we can hold hope for them. Support has many faces.”

On Wednesday October 22, 2014 Magee held the Service for Healing and Dedication of Prayer Shawl Ministry. Blessing of the Shawls, “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 beauty. Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to fly above their troubles…” says Janet Severy Bristow.

There is always a way to help and giving a Prayer Shawl is the perfect way.

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