Hamptons Church Creates Prayer Beads To Thank Hospital Employees

Press release from Hamptons United Methodist Church:

April 25, 2021

As the coronavirus shutdown was approaching its one-year anniversary, the Hamptons United Methodist Church wanted especially to show their gratitude for the steadfast care and commitment of the employees at Stony Brook-Southampton Hospital.

So on Wednesday, April 21, the church delivered more than 700 handmade prayer bead strands for distribution to the employees of the hospital. (Due to Covid restrictions at the hospital, Rev. Joanne Utley delivered the beads to Director of Volunteer Services, Robin Page, at 9 a.m. The hospital then distributed the prayer strands during the week of April 26.)

A prayer bead ministry has been an important part of church outreach in the last few years. The strands of beads are created by members of the congregation and have been presented to church visitors or at community events, like the annual picnic sponsored by the Anti-Bias Task Force.

The beads have a charm – a cross, heart, angel or star – at one end and a clasp at the other. In between are beads that can represent the Trinity, the seven days of creation and a resurrection or gratitude bead.

The beads are available to any of the employees who may desire to receive them. Many different religions around the world use strands of beads or knots as a way to focus or enhance one’s practice of prayer.

The strands are about eight inches long and recipients are encouraged to keep them close at hand as a visual reminder to pray; they can be carried in a pocket or purse, or attached to clothing and name badges.

A card accompanying each set of beads reads:

"We are so thankful for you!

May these prayer beads be a reminder that you are loved and appreciated more than you know. Thank you for all you are doing to keep our community safe and healthy. We continue to pray for you."

The prayer beads were hand made by Dorothy Wienecke, Carol Gilbert, Jerlean Hopson, Arlean Vanslyke, and pastor, Rev. Joanne Utley.

This press release was produced by Hamptons United Methodist Church. The views expressed here are the author's own.