Have you all heard of the Yarn Harlot? Stephanie Mcphee, is the author of several books as well as her own popular daily knitting “blog”. She uses humor, filled with insight and she shows sympathy for those of us who seem to be somewhat obsessed with this knitting/crocheting/yarn craze. I’ve read a couple of her books and her website blog.
As many of you may recall, I knit with a couple of ladies in Lewisville on Wednesdays. We've often referred to ourselves as the "KnitWits of Lewisville" but after spending some of our afternoons shopping for yarn we really don't need...we've found ourselves using Mcphee's phrase, the "Yarn Harlots of Harlotville"! With all the yarn from the Shawl Ministry stored in my house...I think that name takes on a whole new meaning! I'm thankful that God loved the Harlots as well! And here is one way to prove that...
A harlot named Rahab actually played an important role in the Bible by trusting God and hiding spies in the stalks of flax that were drying on her rooftop in Jericho! (Joshua 2, 6) [The fibers of the flax plant are spun into fine linen thread or yarn...I was wondering…does this make Rahab one of the first Yarn Harlots?!] God rewarded her by saving her and she is actually amid the women God chose to continue the line of David. In other words, she is among the "grandmothers" of Jesus! God chose her...to be part of Christ's genealogy...a lesson to us, that His ways are not our ways...He uses unlikely vessels! (James 2:25) She is even included in the “Great Hall of Faith”...she's there with the giants--the big guys--like Abraham and Jacob, and Moses and David. (Hebrews 11:31)
It’s been brought to my attention that she tends to always be labeled, Rahab the prostitute or harlot in the Bible, unlike others such as Moses and David, who were both murders. The label may have been used for a purpose in identifying her. It has been said that possibly this label is used to remind us of her weaknesses...our weaknesses. Once again, we see God using the most unlikely people to accomplish His work and to bring glory to Him. I find that astounding! God uses us regardless of our past history! Go ahead and discover more about her…read the book of Joshua and/or the book of Ruth...Rahab didn't let any label hold her back! After all, she did raise a son of great character and moral fiber--Boaz!
There is no limit to what God can do! What a wonderful God we serve! J
We have exciting news to share! We are moving into the new Seton Faith Formation building for our next meeting, May 9, 2006. Our new meeting room is 108 and we will be meeting at the usual time of 7-9 p.m.
The best is yet to come…as many of you know…most of the items have been stored in my home and we’ve had to pack and unpack, large rolling bins of supplies for each meeting. We now have a fabulous new storage closet to call our own. We are entering into a new “yarn zone…Twenty-Thousand Skeins Under the Pew” so to speak! I had SO much yarn at my house it was beginning to block the exits! I’m sure the fire department down the street would have considered this an occupancy code violation for yarn overcrowding! J
Needless to say…we offer up our thankful praise! We are simply delighted to have been granted this storage space for yarn and supplies. The reviews are in! Our parish loves and embraces this new ministry of compassion!
With the help of our March Madness fundraiser and a few donations, we were able to approach the thoughtful/caring manager at the Hobby Lobby at 15th and Alma in Plano with another yarn order to help fill our new closet. Stop in and tell Nick hi and thank him for assisting our ministry. May we suggest that you consider doing your craft shopping there! He loves you guys! J
KNOTS OF LOVE
We continue to receive requests and thank you notes for our shawls! They continue to bless all who receive these lovely gifts. Since we began this ministry in February 2004, over 650 shawls have gone out to those in need of a reminder of God’s love. Simply an amazing example of God’s Grace! Please continue to pray for each shawl recipient and their families. Here are a few notes we’ve received.
+ + +
The shawl will be very comforting to him especially in the cold weather. Thank you again for thinking of him.
+ + +
I want to thank Hedy and the ministry for the lovely shawl given to my husband. He came home from the hospital yesterday. He is doing very well after having a hip and knee replacement surgery
+ + +
As I continue to work through the mourning process regarding mama’s passing, I continue to be grateful for your generous gift through the Shawl Ministry. The beautiful blue shawl gives me comfort and also reminds me of our Blessed Mother and her all encompassing love. Bless you this Easter season and thank you.
+ + +
The shawls you shared with us are beautiful. We are all comforted with your blessing. Green is our son’s favorite color. Perfect. Bless you all!
+ + +
Thank you kindly for the very special gift of one of your handmade treasures. What a comforting concept the shawls are and I would like to offer this small donation to further your work. Bless you all for reaching out to so many.
+ + +
The shawl is so beautiful. I know when we give it to them they will be so touched. I will keep you updated as to the date of the heart surgery…the more prayers the better God Bless you all.
+ + +
I wanted to send an overdue thank you to you for the shawl from the shawl ministry. It is very cool and my daughter loves it! She understood that it was made for and sent to her. It has become very special to her. She asked why it was made for her and I explained it to her. She sleeps with it nearly every night. She likes to cover up with it from neck to toes and then have her comforter laid over it. She occasionally tells me that she misses daddy, to which I always replay that I do too. It is amazing that she misses him when she never really got to know him. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that the gift is much loved and appreciated.
OUT OF THE MOUTHS of HIS YOUNG LAMBS
The following are a few of the notes we received from Laurie Beardsley and her CCD class. As you may recall, many of you assisted them in making baby shawls for an outreach project they were doing during the month of February.
+ + +
Thank you for all of the wonderful blankets and shawls that you made for the fourth grade outreach project. They are now on their way to wrap lots of babies in love and prayers. You are (as always) exceedingly generous. Thank you also for the example you set for the children of St. Elizabeth. It is so important for them to see grown-ups that respond to the needs of the community in many different ways. Peace and Love, Laurie Beardsley
+ + +
Dear Helpers of God,
Thank you for bringing baby items, and your kindness toward the poor babies. Thanks to you, all babies will hopefully be warm and full of food. THANK YOU!
+ + +
Thank you for thinking of the babies and making the blankets for them. Thank you for caring for them. Thank you for making the warm shawls for the babies to wear. Thank you for your loving kindness.
“When they were discouraged, I smiled and that encouraged them and lightened their spirits. –Job 29:24
CHURCH SIGN SIGHTING…
“God loves everyone but probably prefers “fruits of the spirit” over “religious nuts”! J
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, make my heart one with you and your Son, so that I may bear fruit that brings you glory and honor.” Amen
Next Meeting: May 9, 2006
circleofyarn@hotmail.com http://www.chancy.org/setonshawls/
Resources: Becoming a Vessel God Can Use, Donna Partow; prayer from The Word Among Us, Easter 2006, pg. 44