Loading...Back in 2004 I attended the Kentuckiana Health Ministry Association meeting at Norton Hospital. A new ministry called Parish Nursing was being spread through the Norton Hospital Church Ministries. Parish Nurses from all over Louisville came to hear speakers and to share what they were doing at their churches.
At one meeting Pam Lynch, a parish nurse from Epiphany Catholic Church talked about her Healing Blanket Ministry which she had heard about through an email from Texas. Her group made a blanket for their priest who was seriously ill. She invited anyone that was interested in this ministry to come to her office at the church and she would share “everything” with us. I made an appointment with her the next week.
A healing blanket is made of two 36-inch squares of fabric sewn back-to-back and bound at the edges. There is a prayer sewn on the lining of the blanket and they are folded and tied with a ribbon. In the pocket of the folded blanket is a letter explaining the purpose of the blanket, a prayer card, and Prayers for Healing. The purpose of the blanket is to let recipients know they are cared for and are being prayed for.
Anyone, not only members of the parish, may receive a healing blanket. For people going through difficult times of grief, illness, loss, divorce or loneliness, the gift is a reminder that they are not alone. This ministry is proving to be a powerful outreach program.
When I took this idea to the members of the Episcopal Church Women they embraced it wholeheartedly. We all went home and went through closets and dresser drawers for fabric that we could use. At the beginning we had 20 women show up for cutting, ironing, sewing, folding, and tying ribbons. We all enjoyed the camaraderie that it brought. We had a new purpose! We now have 5 dedicated women show up each month; Pam Martin, Bobbie Schadt, Jinny Casey (Annie’s Mother) and our newest member Penny Tolle. We also have a knitter Kay Glass whose blankets are very cozy.
Our priest at the time was Reverand Paul Jeanes. He sent an article to several episcopal publications.
The Episcopal News
Parish Nursing Development newsletter
The National Health Ministries Newsletter
And others.
From these articles I received requests from the following cities:
Saanichton, BC, Canada
Lexington, KY (Methodist Church)
Carmichael, California
Kansas City, Missouri
Goffstown, New Hampshire
Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Brandenberg, KY
Greensboro, North Carolina
Louisville, Kentucky
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Cowichan Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Marshfield. Wisconsin
Florence, Oregon
Kaukauna, Wisconsin
Pam Martin's mother in Florida a few years ago.
Joe John’s friend in Ft. Meyers, Florida - last couple of months.
I also had a request (do not remember the year) from St. Francis Church here in Louisville. They were giving a program on Healing and asked if I could set up a display of our Healing Blankets out in the lobby for when they took a break in their program. I talked with many participants and handed out instructions for them to begin their own ministries. I am not sure how many other Episcopal churches here in Louisville are doing this ministry.
The most rewarding part is seeing how our congregation has embraced this ministry. Our blankets have gone across the country and around the world. Some have been sent to soldiers overseas and several were sent to Newtown, Connecticut after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. We now total 2000 blankets given out during our 20 years. Bishop Curry got one of our blankets too a few years ago when he was ill.
Are there any testimonials from our recipients or our congregation?
Anyone that would like to be a part of this ministry please talk to one of us and come on the 3rd Tuesday to basement of Board Hall, 9:30 am.
A few years ago, Blessing Blankets began for newborns and just recently for the Animal Ministry.
Please join us in Gleason Hall for a celebration and refreshments provided by the ECW.
In closing I would like to say the prayer sewn on each blanket:
“This blanket was sewn with love and blessed. Know that you are covered by the prayers and love of the community of St. James’ Episcopal Church. In Jesus’ name we pray that you will be healed.”
