News

The Bawa Health Initiative
For the Village of Bawa, Cameroon, Africa

The Board of Community and World Service has not lost sight of the great need for medical and health assistance in Africa. Dr. Dennis J. Richardson along with Dr. Blaise Dondji, and Reverend Margaret B. Jay have undertaken the mission of helping the village of Bawa by:

• Providing primary health care to the residents of Bawa (we have begun the building of the Health Care Clinic). See our Web or Facebook page for more pictures.

Continuing Clinic Construction (your financial gifts can help)

• Reducing the prevalence of infectious diseases
• Supplying clean drinking water to all residents
• Educating the general public about infectious diseases in the developing world

For further information (this is our latest Newsletter) on this wonderful project, and also see the NEW BAWA Health Initiative web site. You may contact Rev. Margaret Jay by calling the church office at 203-265-1691 and leaving a message. You may also mail donations to: Bawa Health Initiative, Inc., P.O. Box 432, Wallingford, CT 06492. With your continued support, we can make a difference in the village of Bawa in Cameroon.

We are also on Facebook (search for BAWA Health Initiative page).

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS WORTHY EFFORT. HELP SAVE LIVES. THANKS!

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Prayer Shawl Ministry

We are proud to announce the Prayer Shawl Ministry to occur at First Congregational Church of Wallingford. The next Prayer Shawl Ministry meeting will be May 20, 2013.

What is a prayer shawl?

A prayer shawl is a shawl that has been knit with special prayers woven into the stitches. Prayers of healing, comfort, love and support.

What is a prayer shawl ministry?

A ministry of people who get together to knit and/or crochet prayer shawls for people who may need them.

Don't know how to knit? We will provide teaching of both knit and crochet.

We have stories to share of how these prayer shawls have affected our lives and the lives of those we love.

“Part of the journey of prayer and faith is to recognize that we may never know how our love and care will touch or change another person's life. Instead, we are invited to offer others our compassion and let whatever needs to happen, happen. There is an old saying:” Our hands are God's hands.” Through the shawl-knitting ministry we can learn to trust the truth that God works through us when we care for our friends and strangers alike.”

Knitting into the mystery

If you are interested in yarn or needles (knitting or crochet), we have them to lend, please contact Kathryn Smith Janis (203-265-1691).

The instructions for both Prayer Shawls, as well as numerous patterns for baby blankets, exist on our website www.firstchurchwlfd@snet.net.

Baby blankets can be made using any yarn of choice.  The standard size would be 36" x 45" to accommodate babies of all ages and sizes.   A baby blanket can also be made to measure half the size of a prayer shawl using the Lion Brand Homespun yarn .  The baby blanket would require 1 and 1/2 skeins of Homespun yarn. Please keep in mind that crochet patterns require more yarn than knit patterns. If you would like to make a baby blanket (knit or crochet), using baby yarn or fingering yarn, we would suggest 5 or 6 skeins to create the measurement of 36" x 45".

For Knitting please bring size 11 Knitting needles for crochet please bring crochet needle size N and 3 skeins of yarn to start. We will be using Lion Brand Homespun yarn - a very soft, warm and pliable yarn for both beginner and advanced knitters. Prayer Shawl knitting instructions are available here.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Kathryn Smith Janis or Rev. Margaret B. Jay at 203-265-1691. If you are not connected to First Congregational Church in Wallingford, CT please follow this link for a Prayer Shawl Ministry in your area. Click here.

Call for Patterns, Stories, and/or Prayers/Blessings

“Part of the journey of prayer and faith is to recognize that we may never know how much our love and care will touch or change another person’s life. Instead, we are invited to offer others our compassion and let whatever needs to happen, happen. There is an old saying: Our hands are God’s hands. Through the shawl-knitting ministry we can learn to trust the truth that God works through us when we care for our friends and strangers alike.” Knitting into the Mystery by Susan S. Jorgensen and Susan S. Izard