BY HUGH MUIR

Ann Apperson, a charter member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in southern Stafford, said she learned to crochet "at a very early age."

Apperson who turned 80 this year, knitted a shawl for her grandson a few years ago. She asked him if he thought it was too feminine for a little boy to wear.

She recalled his reply: "Oh, no, Grandma. It feels like an angel is hugging me."

His observation led Apperson to suggest that Cornerstone's women's mission group undertake something new--in addition to sending e-mail prayers to present and former members in need near and far, from Georgia to California, and in posts overseas.

"We have such a lot of military, such a transient membership," Apperson said who coordinates more than 100 e-mail addresses.

At last October's mission meeting--remembering her grandson--she thought the group could expand its prayer offerings to include something more tangible.

She suggested making prayer shawls to give comfort and peace to those who were hurting.

Last January, the Women's Angel Hugs Ministry was organized.

Apperson became its coordinator. Meeting at the church once a month, the group of some 17 people crochet and discuss their ministry. There are four knitters in addition to 13 crocheters.

The group discusses the names passed on to them of those who need prayer, who are suffering illness or crisis.

"With each stitch, we say a little prayer," Apperson said, "that God will bless the recipient with his loving touch. And the shawls are also reminders to the recipients as to how much they are loved."

Each shawl bears a handmade tag of the Cornerstone Angel Hugs Ministry, and a reference to Mark 11:24, which quotes Jesus saying: "So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

Forty shawls have been made so far. Twenty-three have been given to those whose need has come to the attention of the Angel Hugs Ministry.

"We never sell them," Apperson said. "We create them in love for whoever needs them."