Second's Impact
Second Presbyterian Church is a welcoming community of faith where Jesus Christ transforms lives.
Second's mission is to be a church for the city of Indianapolis and a charging station for all God's people.
Each month, we'll share stories of how our community is living out its faith.
Stories from Second: Clothed in Prayer, Welcomed Home
For most people, a handmade blanket is simply something that keeps you warm. For one family moving out of homelessness and into a home of their own, it will become something more — a reminder that an entire church prayed for them before they ever crossed the threshold.
At Second's Crochet & Knitting Ministry, yarn is never just yarn. Every stitch is an act of prayer, quietly offered for someone the maker may never meet.
"For many of our knitters, knitting is a contemplative practice, and they intentionally pray for the future recipient of the item," said Rev. Madison VanVeelen, who oversees the ministry. "The recipient is then 'clothed' with the prayers of the person who made it—a sacred garment that becomes a tangible source of warmth and comfort; a reminder that God's presence is just as close."
Since 2008, the ministry has created nearly 600 prayer shawls for members of Second experiencing illness, grief, or life's difficult seasons. After a quieter period during the pandemic, the group was revitalized in 2023 under the leadership of Elder Beth McKee. Today, members gather monthly in the parlor to knit, crochet, share stories, and close each meeting with Scripture and prayer.
This summer, the ministry found a new way to share that same care.
With an ample supply of prayer shawls already prepared, the group began asking where their gifts could meet another need. The answer came through Second's Streets to Home initiative, which helps individuals and families transition from homelessness into permanent housing.
Together, the knitters created their first collaborative throw blanket— a gift that will welcome a family into their new home.
"This goes beyond offering a good or service to someone in need," VanVeelen said. "It treats them as a beloved child of God, deserving not only of shelter, but of comfort, beauty, and care."
The blanket carries the fingerprints — and prayers — of an entire community.
Knitted in shades of blue, McKee's favorite color and one of Second's signature colors, it was assembled from individual panels created by members both near and far. Some gathered together each month in the parlor, while others who couldn't attend contributed from home.
"It's been fun to see the energy around this project," McKee said. "Some folks who aren't able to meet with us have reached out and are knitting panels now too, along with those who gather regularly."
For Laura Baker, who joined Second recently, the ministry became a way to find both friendship and purpose.
"Since I love to knit, this seemed like a good match. Not only have I met wonderful friends and learned new patterns, I have a sense that I am able to bring comfort to others. The collaborative blanket just fills a different need."
Ask McKee what happens while she knits, and she doesn't begin by talking about yarn or patterns. She talks about prayer.
"Knitting is very meditative — it slows my brain and my heart rate. I frequently pray for a specific person if I know who will receive a shawl, or just generally: may this bring comfort and assurance that God is with them."
Perhaps that's what makes this ministry so unique. The finished blanket is beautiful. But its greatest gift isn't found in the pattern or the stitches. It's found in the prayers woven into every row.
The Crochet & Knitting Ministry welcomes participants of every skill level and continues to create prayer shawls for members of Second while expanding its outreach through baby blankets for Children and Family Ministries, projects supporting the Don and Karen Lake Buttrey Northside Food Pantry, and collaborative blankets for families served through Streets to Home.
The first collaborative blanket is only the beginning.
As Second continues to welcome families into safe, permanent housing through the Home Campaign, ministries like the Crochet & Knitting Ministry remind us that a home is more than four walls. It is a place where comfort, dignity, and God's love are made tangible.
Every gift to the Home Campaign helps families moving out of housing insecurity experience not only the security of a home, but the warmth of a community already praying for them. To support the 2026 Home Campaign, visit SecondChurch.org/Home.
Interested in joining the Crochet & Knitting Ministry? Contact Beth McKee to learn more.
Share Your Story
Know someone making a difference? Witnessed a moment of grace? We'd love to hear from you!
Please send your story ideas, ministry updates, or photos to Ayrika Gunn, Director of Communications, at AGunn@SecondChurch.org.
Please note: Submissions may be edited or adapted by the Communications team for publication across our print and digital platforms. While we can't guarantee every story will be published, we sincerely appreciate every submission. Before submitting, please ensure you have permission from anyone featured in your story or photos.
+ Stories from Second: More Than a Dock
As 164 children and 108 volunteers entered McFarland Hall each day during Vacation Bible School, they were welcomed by a massive harbor dock that transformed the room into the perfect setting for this year's Into the Waters theme. Few realized the impressive structure was far more than a stage prop. Built by members of Second serving through SAWs (Servants At Work), the dock had been designed with a second purpose already in mind.When this year's Into the Waters theme was announced, VBS Chair Jordana Marcus knew exactly what the space needed.
"I immediately pictured a large dock in McFarland. With the help of Pete Mohr, Dorian Chrismon, and the SAWs team, my vision came to life and was even greater than I expected. It really set the stage for the week and got everyone so excited from the minute it went up," said Marcus.
While SAWs volunteers built the sturdy framework, a talented VBS decorating team led by Meghan Sibla added the backdrop and finishing details, transforming raw lumber into a bustling harbor dock. For five days, it became the centerpiece for worship, music, storytelling, and community.
"We have worship each day in McFarland, and the dock made the whole week. It was truly amazing to have the SAWs partnership available to us. I hope VBS and SAWs can have a partnership for many more years to come," Marcus said.
Rev. Audrey Thorne reflected on the collaboration behind the project.
"The dock reflects the kind of collaboration that makes Second so special—Jordana's vision, the craftsmanship of Pete Mohr, Dorian Chrismon, and the SAWs team, and the creativity of Meghan Sibla and our decorating team all came together to transform the space exactly as we'd hoped. Their work allowed us to transport the kids Into the Waters for a week of song, story, and play.”
But when VBS ended, the dock's story was just beginning.
True to the spirit of stewardship and service that defines SAWs, the dock was never meant to be discarded. It was built with its next purpose already in mind. As VBS came to a close, the SAWs team carefully deconstructed the dock, reclaiming the lumber and hardware for future mobility ramps.The transformation happened almost immediately. According to Mohr, the wood—and even the screws—from the VBS dock had already been repurposed into two new ramps within days: one for a man in Indianapolis who uses a wheelchair and another for a woman in Elwood who relies on a walker. What served as a temporary stage where children experienced God's love during VBS has already become a source of freedom, independence, and accessibility for neighbors in need.
For SAWs, this kind of transformation is the heart of the ministry.
Through creativity, stewardship, and a shared heart for service, the dock's impact extended far beyond VBS. It is a beautiful reminder that some of the most meaningful ministry continues long after the final song is sung.The dock that welcomed children Into the Waters of VBS now helps welcome neighbors home.
To learn more about the ministry of SAWs and the life-changing impact of its mobility ramp program, listen to SAWs Founder Rik Hagarty on a recent episode of Faithful Discourse with Chris Henry, available on Apple, Spotify, or PodBean.
Raising Walls Together
Saturday, May 30, thirteen Second volunteers partnered with Greater Indianapolis Habitat for Humanity with one shared goal: to raise the second floor of a home that will one day welcome a family. The team installed subflooring, assembled wall panels, and worked side by side to lift and secure the second-floor walls. By the end of the day, the framework had taken shape. What began the morning as an empty deck was now a structure clearly looking like a home.
"We are honored to be in partnership with Greater Indianapolis Habitat for Humanity and their mission to help neighbors realize homeownership," says Lisa Enright, Director of Missions. "It was a wonderful day of fellowship, meeting new friends, and a great opportunity to live into our call to walk alongside our neighbors."
This build is one of 10 Habitat homes planned for the new neighborhood, each constructed through partnerships just like ours. At Stories from Second, we believe that ministry is sometimes named in sermons and sometimes named in subfloors. This Saturday was beautifully the latter.
We are deeply grateful for the volunteers who showed up to sweat and serve, and we pray for the family who will one day call this house home.
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