In the Parables Community, we call these “spirit scarves.”
Once a month, I have the privilege of leading a spiritual reflection service with a community called Parables. This service is planned with, for, and by disabled and neurodivergent community members.
Have you ever been in a setting where people “Pass the Peace?”
We use these scarves to do the same. We exchange them with one another and invite that act to convey a deep sense of welcome and care. And this is a way to practice accessibility too. People can stay right where they are to exchange the scarves, or they can move around the space. People can hold onto their scarves, or they can exchange them many times with a lot of people. People can say words — “Hello,” “I’m [Name],” “How are you?” or “Peace be with you” — or people can be silent. People can exchange without eye contact, or people can exchange with eye contact.
It’s all welcome. It’s all exchange. It’s all peace. It’s all care.
Smuggling Grace 