My mother was always a great knitter. All the grandkids had sweaters, mittens, toques with supply replenished in February when several mitts were guaranteed to have gone awol.
But one thing that would have horrified her and she would NEVER have done would be knitting in church. I'm seeing more and more of this. Knitting in church; knitting at meetings. Knitters of all ages--well possibly not my mother's age...
So what about it? We're in the midst of a very interesting conversation elsewhere on this blog about "coffee in church." What are you thoughts on knitting?
I know for a fact that Mary knitted more than half a dozen pairs of mittens during classes and services at Erie Beach for the school across the street from the Brydges congregation in London. They have a partnership there.
And I pick up bags of vests and hats from various congregations for Honduras kids. Other congregations are producing acres of blankets for homeless or sheltered folk everywhere.
Now not all of those have been produced in church or meetings, but some have! Any thoughts on this? How is the culture in your congregation? Would someone be annoyed or offended if you or I were knitting? Are you a knitter? Can you knit and worship simultaneously?
Your thoughts please.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
With response to your question, I'm not a knitter well I'm not any good and I haven't gotten pass the knit one pearl two anyway as for knitting during church service?
ReplyDeleteYour joking right? You can't compare reunion's with regular Sunday services (I don't think) but still I've been to many reunion's at Ziontario (still can't recall seeing anyone knitting during services or class) but at reunion's it is a little different its very relaxed, layed back-your camping so even though I would still think its weird to see someone knitting during service or class I wouldn't find it as distracting as I would during a regular Sunday service.
Putting all that aside are we that busy with our life that we can't take 2 hours out of our schedule a week> 1hr hour for class & 1hr for service to just bring ourselves? Knitting during class or service your mind is not fully open to what is being taught (that's my opinion)
One more food for thought........think about the ones who have put their time into preparing a service or class how distracting it would be to them if they look out to see "knitter's"!
Please don't get me wrong I'm not saying anything against the knitters I just think they could put the kneedles down for a couple hours, yours hands will thank you!
God bless.........
Many people and cultures use prayer beads as an aid to devotion. I can understand how the rhythm of the needles would help concentration, and relax me so I'm more receptive to what's being discussed (unless it's a complex pattern...)
ReplyDeleteOne of the women at the UU church we attended in Olinda, Ontario knit dish cloths during the sermon. It never hurt her ability to debate the content during the fellowship hour that followed.
I used to think that was a fine idea, but now I'm thinking that that one hour a week should be devoted completely to communication between your own spirit and the Holy Spirit. It is like a special date, and I for one would be insulted if my date were thinking knit one purl one instead of concentrating on the relationship.
ReplyDeleteSo Anon, that explains why YOU would choose not to knit, but not why someone else should not. Words Words, for example, might even feel enriched by knitting. His/Her spiritual experience might even be deepened by the use of knitting as an "aid to devotion." Or at least that's what I'm reading.
ReplyDeleteAre there any Knitters willing to weigh in?
I think knitting during church would be totally fine. I wouldn't mind being the speaker looking out and seeing someone knitting while they listen. I am a busy body and I'm actually more distracted when I'm not keeping my hands busy then when they are sitting idle. My mind often wanders the entire time someone is speaking if I don't have something to do with my hands.
ReplyDeleteOn an additional level, just because someone is sitting there looking at you does not mean they're paying attention, or even listening. At least if someone's knitting then they're not sleeping, which I've seen a lot of at church and I would find much more upsetting than knitting if I saw that during a sermon.
I'm not a knitter, by the way.
I am a knitter, and would not bring my knitting to a class or service.....sheesh, I can barely concentrate on a pattern, let alone attempt to 'really' listen to a speaker
ReplyDeleteI am an avid knitter. Part of my ministry is knitting for those in need. Knowing that what I knit will wrap up a new baby or prevent a senior from catching pneumonia or keep a little ones head and hands warm on a cold winters day or night makes me feel that I am responding to Christ's call in my life. I am also responding to Section 163 both 4a and 9.
ReplyDeleteI do not normally knit during a service on Sunday morning. I also do not knit during prayers in classes I attend or at services. Unless my husband is teaching the class I also usually ask the individual if they mind if I knit. Knitting for me is not only soothing but allows me to concentrate on the activity or class. For some reason keeping my hands busy keeps my mind alert and focused. Normally what I am working on does not require me to seriously watch a pattern - those type of projects I keep at home. Serving the master is paramount - how we each do that is very individual.