San Pedro resident Diane Williams, who is a chaplain at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, unites communities to help sick individuals and their loved ones find comfort. Williams started a ministry program at the hospital which offers prayer shawls that are provided by Southland churches to provide comfort to those in need.

Williams launched this ministry as a meaningful way to help patients and their families. “During our patient visits we come across individuals who could be nearing death, undergoing a particularly difficult medical treatment or simply very lonely and in need of some extra comfort. The prayer shawls are a way of giving them an ongoing, cozy hug,” she said.

Currently, two Southern California churches have committed to donating at least five prayer shawls per month for an entire year -- St. Cross Episcopal Church in Hermosa Beach and All Saints Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills. Each prayer shawl is knitted or crocheted by a member, then brought before the congregation to be blessed for the eventual recipients.

Williams says the response from patients has been overwhelmingly positive. “One patient whose mother is also ill told me she has never received anything so freely given that has provided such comfort.”

The hospital’s Spiritual Care department is actively recruiting more groups and individuals to donate shawls for this program.  Potential participants include knitting groups, community centers, synagogues, churches and individuals. 

For more information about the prayer shawl ministry or to become a donor, please call 424-259-8170.

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