Knitting Hope through Trauma Teddies at Abbotsbury Uniting Church

At Abbotsbury Uniting Church, acts of service and fellowship are stitched together quite literally. Once a week, a group of women gather with knitting needles, conversation, and prayer, turning balls of wool into blankets, scarves, and now, trauma teddies.

Recently, the group welcomed Mark Layson, Director and Senior Chaplain of the NSW/ACT Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network (DRCN), who visited Abbotsbury Uniting Church1 to receive a new batch of the teddies and share stories from the frontlines of disaster recovery. The visit became a time of warmth and reflection, as the knitters learned how their simple acts of service are travelling far beyond their church walls.

“The church is called to share God’s love in both word and action,” said Pastor Sital Sanjivi of Abbotsbury UC. “The knitting of trauma teddies is a simple but powerful way of showing care and compassion to those who are hurting. It reminds people that they are not forgotten and that God’s love comes in very practical ways. This is truly living out the mission of the church – to be a light and comfort in the community.”

For the Abbotsbury knitting group, faith and fellowship naturally flow into service. “Every Wednesday, our ladies and friends from different denominations gather to knit. In that space there is laughter, prayer, stories, and strong fellowship,” Pastor Sital shared. “Out of that fellowship flows service. Their faith in God inspires them to give their time and skills, and their fellowship encourages them to keep going. It is faith put into action, and service that builds community.”

For Mark Layson, whose team of volunteer chaplains responds to fires, floods and other disasters across the state, the trauma teddies are not just handmade gifts but a bridge to connection. “Trauma teddies allow chaplains to give a tangible gift of comfort to a person in distress,” he explained. “While children love them, adults can find the softness of a teddy comforting too. The teddy itself is a nice gift, but it also allows chaplains to make a connection quickly with people who may be finding the situation overwhelming.”

These teddies, he added, are now being dispersed to chaplains across NSW and the ACT, and have already been used following two severe weather events in the north of the state this year. “So often, the small things are the big things,” Mark said. “When a child is upset about the loss of a home, a pet, or their community, providing a teddy is a first small step to recovery. In a teddy, they have something in their hand that can be a positive reminder of safety and someone who cared.”

For the knitters, this knowledge makes their work all the more meaningful. Pam Ortiger, who coordinates the Abbotsbury knitting group, described the sense of shared purpose that binds the group together. “It is knowing that while they are enjoying each other’s company, their busy fingers are working for others who are experiencing perhaps one of the most traumatic events of their life,” she said.

What began as a small local initiative has grown into an ongoing ministry of comfort. The trauma teddies are now part of the wider story of the Uniting Church’s care in community from those knitting in fellowship halls to chaplains walking beside people in moments of deep need.

As Mark reflected, “Chaplains do not enter disaster zones to fix people. They attend to compassionately walk beside people in their dark alley. The presence of a chaplain who has no agenda, but only the desire to be with someone in need, is powerful. So too are the hands that knit with the same intent bringing grace, hope and love where people may doubt any of those still exist.”

In 2025 so far, DRCN volunteers have given over 10,000 hours of service to their community. Churches or individuals wishing to support the Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network can donate to the Moderator’s Appeal or contact the DRCN team at drcn@nat.uca.org.au.