The members of the St. John’s Healing Touch Group are Susan Allen, Paul Healy, Ilga Leja, and Bonnie Murray.

Over the years many members of St. John’s have knitted scarves, mittens, socks and other articles for church sales and community projects. The time and creative energy that have gone into these gifts for the church and wider community have been greatly appreciated. Until recently the ‘Mitten Tree”, which is sponsored by the Social Action Committee every Christmas season, has been the most visible knitting project supported by the congregation.

Last fall, a group of knitters at St. John’s formed the St. John’s Intergenerational Knitting Group to support a knitting community at our church by working on group projects together, sharing knitting skills, and reflecting on how our projects are part of the ministry of our church. We hope people of different ages, genders and knitting abilities will join us. Current projects we are working on include knitting prayer shawls for the ministry of the Pastoral Care Team who take the shawls to people who are shut-ins, in the hospital or receiving medical care. This is an ongoing project as shawls will be given out by the pastoral care team throughout the year. Another project is knitting scarves for youth at Phoenix House for the Christmas season. We are also knitting squares for an afghan for Bryony House which is a long term project. Again, this year the Social Action Committee will have the ‘Mitten Tree’.

Beginner knitters are welcome – instruction is provided. A pattern for the prayer shawls is available:

are part of our regular order of service, following the singing of "Send Your Holy Spirit." These prayers offer the concerns and thanksgivings of our congregation. Prayers of the People are now being written and presented by St. John's members and groups, rather than by the ministers.

There are two ways you can be part of this. First, send your prayer requests. Call in, bring, or send your prayer requests to Marilyn in the office. Second, you can write and present the Prayers of the People. The formula is very simple:

1 Address God. What is your image of God now? For example, the social action committee started with "Good Samaritan God."

2. Offer concerns and thanksgivings. Choose what you want to pray for and be specific about local and world issues, the church, the health of the Earth, peace.
A simple way to remember who to pray for uses your hand: the thumb is for the nearest: family, friends and community; the index finger is for those who point the way like teachers and ministers; the longest finger is for powerful leaders; the ring finger is for the weak and vulnerable; the pinkie is for ourselves.

3. End with "Amen." If that feels too abrupt, reflect on the relationship we have with God, for example, "Gracious God, we know you listen to our prayers. Help us to listen for your voice in our lives. Amen," or, "In Jesus' name we pray."

4. Some things to remember when writing Prayers of the People are:
· Confidentiality: Ask the person you want to pray for if you can use their name. Otherwise pray for them in silence or generalize the prayer, i.e., "for all who are ill..."
· God language: Let it be inclusive. You can go two ways on this; either use many images for God (Rock, Parent, Spirit, Jesus, Burning Bush) or use God and You instead of He or She.
· Mechanics: Keep the prayer to 2-3 minutes (2/3 of a page). Build silence into the prayer so people can offer personal thanks and intercessions. Leave space for listening to God.
· Praying is communication with God: Your own words are best. You don't have to be a poet to write prayers. Integrity and intimacy make strong prayers, like the best of the Psalms, or a child's simple, honest prayer. There many good sources of content and other resources available:
· Listen to yourself: What is at the top of your list of worries and joys? Chances are, many share them and would be comforted to have them spoken.
· Listen to people close to you: parents, children, young adults, elders. What are they concerned about? What makes them joyful?
· Look at current interests: What are the topics in the news that grab us? The change of seasons inspires. What are the Bible readings for Sunday?
· If you are stuck for words, pages 909 and 926 in the Hymnal are useful. The red binder, Celebrate God's Presence, in Linda's office has lots of prayers. The Internet is a great resource.

If you have thanksgivings or concerns to be included in Prayers of the People, bring or email them to Marilyn at stjohnsunited@eastlink.ca. Remember that we must have the permission of anyone we mention by name in Prayers of the People.

We meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7:30 pm, in the chapel. Plan to join us to discuss the following books:

At the present time St.John's UCW has two units, The Gilchrist Unit and The Mary Todd Unit, who meet in members homes once or twice a month. Five times a year some of the members meet in the Ladies Parlour at the Church for a devotional time and business meeting followed by refreshments and social time.

Our UCW used to hold two fund raising projects each year but due to the increasing years of our members we now limit our services to serving refreshments as receptions following funerals held in the church. We also help out at any fund raising projects the St. John's Church hold.

Donations are made to the General funds of the church and to the Mission and Service fund. We also save Sobey's tapes and the money realized is split between local organizations such as:- St. Andrews dinners, Camp Kidston, Phoenix House, Marquerite House, Adsum House, and replacing items for the kitchen .We also collect items for the Prison ministries and the Fellowship of the Least Coin.

Our members take an active part in the life of St.John's as members of Session, Board of Trustees,Committee of Stewards, Membership Committee, Senior Choir, Bell Choir and Official Board. Members are also very active in the Community.

So far as we know at this time St. John's UCW is the oldest Women's Group in Halifax Presbyterial.

THE PURPOSE OF THE UNITED CHURCH WOMEN is to unite the women of the congregation for the total Mission of the Church and to provide a medium through which they can express their loyalty and devotion to Jesus Christ in Christian Witness, Study, Fellowship and Service.

Women's Spirituality Circle.