At Walker Place by Vivie, the transition into community life often brings a mix of emotions—excitement, uncertainty, and sometimes a sense of loss. In those moments, a handmade prayer shawl can offer something profound: a feeling of warmth, belonging, and peace.
These shawls—soft, colorful, and stitched with prayer—are shared with residents during times of need. Some receive one as they move in and begin building a new life. Others are offered a shawl after hospitalization, or as part of end-of-life care. No matter when they’re given, each shawl is more than a handmade gift. It’s a physical reminder that no one here walks alone.
The prayer shawls come from the Thimble Bees, a ministry group at Wayzata Community Church. The group began 25 years ago and continues to meet twice a month, creating thousands of handmade items for hospitals, community organizations, and people in need of encouragement. They started donating shawls to Walker Place when their founder discovered it near a family member’s home.
For Margaret Green, a longtime Thimble Bees volunteer, the prayer shawls have become her favorite project.
“I love the tradition that with every stitch, the maker says a prayer for the recipient,” she shares. “When I finish, I imagine the cozy shawl giving a warm ‘hug,’ a message that someone cares.”
Chaplain Katie Chatelaine-Samsen receives the shawls and shares them as part of her spiritual care work at Walker Place.
“Residents are touched when they hear the stories of the shawls,” she says, “especially the love and prayer that went into every stitch. They feel seen and cared for through the gift of a prayer shawl.”
One such moment stands out in her memory. Chaplain Katie recalls visiting a resident shortly after the death of her son.
“In addition to the listening, grief support, and spiritual care I provided through my words and presence, I also offered a prayer shawl as a tangible sign of God’s presence with the resident in her grief,” she says.
“The resident tearfully thanked me and the Thimble Bees after I told her where the shawl came from, then placed it at the foot of her bed as a sign of comfort and support.”
These shawls often become treasured reminders of care—not just for the person receiving them, but for loved ones as well. Chaplain Katie has given them to family members sitting with a loved one at end of life. Some choose to take the shawl home, keeping it as a connection to the final days they shared.
That spirit of care and connection is what each resident experiences when they receive a shawl.
“A prayer shawl can serve as a tangible way to communicate the warmth and care of the Walker Place community,” Chaplain Katie explains. “Residents are being held by something greater than themselves, even as they may be feeling alone or getting their bearings.”
In many ways, the shawls help bridge the emotional and spiritual journey into a new chapter of life. These transitions can be filled with quiet grief—especially when someone is leaving behind the familiar and stepping into something new. At Walker Place, the act of receiving a prayer shawl gently says: You are not alone here. You are seen. You are cared for.
This small but deeply meaningful ministry reflects what makes the Walker Place community so special. Here, comfort isn’t just offered in words—it’s wrapped around your shoulders.