Semi-Annual (2005-2006) Report to the Vestry

Stitch by stitch and row by row the Prayer Shawl Ministry continues to
move along and bless all involved -- those who create, those who give
and those who receive.

The Ministry is built on an informal group of 12 to 15
knitters/crocheters of all levels of skill and speed; 3 to 4 organizers
who call meetings, sort yarn, keep inventories, copy patterns, take
pictures, produce gift cards, make deliveries and connect the people of
St. Matthews to the ministry; many generous people, such as the family
of Donna Johnston, who donate yarn; and our Clergy who bless the
shawls as requested.

It is hard to keep track, but in these two years we have given away 78
shawls and have an inventory on hand today of 8 shawls.  While most of
our knitting is done solo on trains, planes, automobiles, Vestry
meetings and in front of the TV, we have been able to meet as a group 5
or 6 times each year and will try to boost that number.   In 2006 we
also knit and gave to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital over 30 hats and pairs
of booties for newborns and some of our knitters have sent garments to
Knit for Kids and Mariners Christmas at Sea program.

The cards included with the shawls when they are given to people have
been designed and produced these two years by Andrea Backlund.  They so
perfectly represent what we believe the ministry to be about we want to
include in this annual report a huge thank you to her.  In addition
Andrea has put together a brochure to explain how the ministry operates
and this will be an important new addition to our work. 

Items we will be discussing in the near future include funding to offset
the cost of producing cards and brochures,  preparing a "start up kit"
for St. Therese Catholic Parish in Nenana, and letting the People of St.
Matthews know we welcome knitters and requests.

Respectfully submitted,
DeAnne Stokes

January 27, 2007