STORY: Common Threads started at Trinity Lutheran Church in October 2005.  Lois Toroni, a member of Trinity, attended a workshop at Bothell First Lutheran Church.  At that workshop she learned about prayer shawls and the ministry surrounding them.  Lois immediately knew she wanted to knit a shawl for her niece Linda who was in an advanced stage of breast cancer, and one for Linda's mother.  Both Linda and her mother were in need of love and prayers and they were overjoyed with the gift. Lois continued knitting shawls and recruited others to help her.  The ministry has been a blessing.  Since that time shawls have been given to many people who were experiencing illness, loss, sorrow, and even joy, all with the same wonderful response.  This ministry is a godsend to those involved as they find peace and relaxation in the creation of a gift made with love and given with love.  The joy of a prayer shawl is to be able to wrap someone in prayer, to be comforted and held in God's loving embrace, and be safe and warm in God's presence.