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Though not exactly rip-it-up Saturday night revelry, that doesn’t mean the women in the Nevada City United Methodist Church’s Shawl Ministry are having a dull time.
Each Thursday at noon, about 20 of them gather to knit shawls “for people who are hurting or need a boost” and just to visit, according to group member Donna Foote.
“It’s relaxing and puts you in touch with the community, and I like these girls,” said Brianna Stevens, who didn’t know how to knit until last August. The seed of the group was planted two years ago, when Cathy Nickalou-Smith came to the area and began making a shawl for her mother who was transitioning into assisted living.
Once Nickalou-Smith and her husband, church Pastor Charles Smith, became leaders at the Methodist church, she remembered something someone had said about a prayer shawl Web site.
When Nickalou-Smith discovered the national Prayer Shawl Ministry created by two graduates of the Women’s Leadership Institute at The Harftford Seminary in Connecticut, she knew a local chapter would be a great idea.
The national ministry was formed in 1998 by Janet Bristow and Victoria Cole-Galo, who took their love of knitting and crocheting to a higher level: creating shawls for those in need of comfort and solace that are blessed.
“I brought the idea up to the women, and they’ve been coming ever since,” Nickalou-Smith said. “We’ve probably given away 150 shawls” since the first meeting in December 2006, each blessed by her husband.
Women in their 20s such as Stevens are considered the “baby” of the group. Most of the women are older than 40.
“We have all skill levels, from the master knitters to the beginners,” said group member Marte Sumwalt. “There’s a lot of time spent outside of the meetings, too,” working on the shawls.
“The fellowship is wonderful and making something for someone who will enjoy it, is fulfilling,” said member Linda Kennedy.
“One mom came up and thanked me for the shawl her daughter received,” just before the daughter died, Kennedy said. “I didn’t know where it had gone, so it was nice to know.”
“There’s nothing better that a group of women you can talk to about stuff,” said group member Bonnie Goodnight.
“A lot of these people, I wouldn’t have known otherwise,” she said.
A while back, the national group sent the Nevada City Prayer Shawl Mnistry asking for patterns for a new book.
Group member Dee Jones submitted a shawl called “Sierra Breeze” and fellow member Donna Foote wrote a poem to accompany it entitled, “The Pioneer Shawl.”
The shawl and poem were selected for a national book called “The Prayer Shawl Companion”, which Nickalou-Smith said can be found at Meadow Farms Yarn Store in Nevada City and The Book Seller in Grass Valley.
Jones has been knitting for 60 years and has designed knitwear for Montana firm Mountain Colors for several years.
Foote is a quilter who has written a quilt play called “Road to California,” about pioneer woman trekking across the plains.
The recent entry from the women for the new book keeps the pioneer spirit.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
Each Thursday at noon, about 20 of them gather to knit shawls “for people who are hurting or need a boost” and just to visit, according to group member Donna Foote.
“It’s relaxing and puts you in touch with the community, and I like these girls,” said Brianna Stevens, who didn’t know how to knit until last August. The seed of the group was planted two years ago, when Cathy Nickalou-Smith came to the area and began making a shawl for her mother who was transitioning into assisted living.
Once Nickalou-Smith and her husband, church Pastor Charles Smith, became leaders at the Methodist church, she remembered something someone had said about a prayer shawl Web site.
When Nickalou-Smith discovered the national Prayer Shawl Ministry created by two graduates of the Women’s Leadership Institute at The Harftford Seminary in Connecticut, she knew a local chapter would be a great idea.
The national ministry was formed in 1998 by Janet Bristow and Victoria Cole-Galo, who took their love of knitting and crocheting to a higher level: creating shawls for those in need of comfort and solace that are blessed.
“I brought the idea up to the women, and they’ve been coming ever since,” Nickalou-Smith said. “We’ve probably given away 150 shawls” since the first meeting in December 2006, each blessed by her husband.
Women in their 20s such as Stevens are considered the “baby” of the group. Most of the women are older than 40.
“We have all skill levels, from the master knitters to the beginners,” said group member Marte Sumwalt. “There’s a lot of time spent outside of the meetings, too,” working on the shawls.
“The fellowship is wonderful and making something for someone who will enjoy it, is fulfilling,” said member Linda Kennedy.
“One mom came up and thanked me for the shawl her daughter received,” just before the daughter died, Kennedy said. “I didn’t know where it had gone, so it was nice to know.”
“There’s nothing better that a group of women you can talk to about stuff,” said group member Bonnie Goodnight.
“A lot of these people, I wouldn’t have known otherwise,” she said.
A while back, the national group sent the Nevada City Prayer Shawl Mnistry asking for patterns for a new book.
Group member Dee Jones submitted a shawl called “Sierra Breeze” and fellow member Donna Foote wrote a poem to accompany it entitled, “The Pioneer Shawl.”
The shawl and poem were selected for a national book called “The Prayer Shawl Companion”, which Nickalou-Smith said can be found at Meadow Farms Yarn Store in Nevada City and The Book Seller in Grass Valley.
Jones has been knitting for 60 years and has designed knitwear for Montana firm Mountain Colors for several years.
Foote is a quilter who has written a quilt play called “Road to California,” about pioneer woman trekking across the plains.
The recent entry from the women for the new book keeps the pioneer spirit.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
