Knitting, sewing, quilting, crocheting and praying

By Whisper Edwards
Posted 1/5/18

There is a little something extra in the stitches made by the Comfort Sowers from Jubilee Shores United Methodist Church.

The group’s slogan, “Prayers in every stitch to give comfort to those …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get the gift of local news. All subscriptions 50% off for a limited time!

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

Knitting, sewing, quilting, crocheting and praying

Posted

There is a little something extra in the stitches made by the Comfort Sowers from Jubilee Shores United Methodist Church.

The group’s slogan, “Prayers in every stitch to give comfort to those in need” explains everything. This group is bursting at the seams with love and they pour it into each comfort objects they create and give to those in need.

“The Jubilee Comfort Sowers are a group who has a desire to make items for those in need of support,” said Comfort Sower member Jane Cox.

That is the mission of the Comfort Sowers: providing those who are going through times of hardship with compassion and give them a glimmer of hope through the clouds of despair with meaningful and thoughtful items.

As an example, recently the group created a prayer shawl for a lady whose daughter was in a coma. The daughter recovered, but the story doesn’t stop there.

Later, the daughter used the same prayer shawl for her own child who was kept in the hospital after their birth. She asked the hospital staff to keep the prayer shawl with the baby.

Eventually the shawl began to unravel, and the family took it as a sign that Jesus was present. Soon after the baby was deemed healthy enough to leave the hospital and was allowed to come home on Easter Sunday. Not wanting to ‘undo God’s work’, the shawl was never mended.

This is just one example of what the Comfort Sowers and the objects made by the group have done and will continue to do. The group handcrafts each item, then prays over the items with JSUMC Pastor Marty Hamilton (often with a particular person or group of people in mind) and give the items away for free to provide a physical reminder of the thoughts and prayers that are with the individual(s) in need.

The items are made at the homes of the Comfort Sowers members and then brought to JSUMC for distribution. Some items have a specific pattern, but most items reflect the creativity and artistry of those making them. All items are free of charge to anyone who asks. Anyone looking for an item can contact the JSUMC office or stop by in person.

Pastor Hamilton has been extremely helpful in delivering items while making calls on those in need.

“We [Comfort Sowers] also have taken items directly to hospitals, nursing homes, and the Care House,” Cox said.

Cox said members of the church frequently tell the group about a relative, friend, or neighbor who could benefit from a comfort item. In addition to this, the Comfort Sowers work with agencies to distribute many items.

“One of the most effective means of distribution we have found is through a partnership with agencies such as Comfort Care Hospice,” Cox said. “Susan Cox, who worked there as a volunteer coordinator, was fabulous at helping us get our items to people who need them. In her role there, she worked with social workers to identify clients who could benefit from the items. Since she’s left, we now work directly with Kenya Nodd who is a social worker there.”

The group, who initially started as a prayer shawl ministry over two years ago by Ruth Phinney and a couple of others of JSUMC, meets monthly to share ideas and show one another the creations they have made. The group also takes time to carefully pray over the items and for those who will be receiving them. In July, the group had already distributed over 600 items.

“Our goal is 1,000 by the end of the year,” Cox said.

Though several members of JSUMC are members of the Comfort Sowers, anyone who is interested in the group’s cause are welcome to help. So, if you have a talent for knitting, sewing, crocheting, or quilting or if you would like to donate your time or materials for such a noble cause, the Comfort Sowers are looking for you!

“We welcome donations and would love to have more volunteers to help make and/or distribute items,” Cox said. “You don’t have to be a member or attend the church or even attend the meetings. We welcome all skill levels and have projects that range from beginner to expert.”