Mrs. Maude Harrell
Our community was saddened this week by the death of Mrs. Maude Harrell.
Mrs. Maude was a business owner and the most grateful, inspiring person many of us had ever had the blessing to know.
Our neighbor, Janette Goolsby, sent out an email telling about the Shawl Ministry the church ladies have undertaken.
In Janette's Words:
Attached you will find a printout of the Hampton UMW Shawl Ministry that was dedicated on Sunday, April 30, 2012 at the morning service. Ms. Maude died that afternoon a little after 5 telling Alan after lunch that she planned to crochet awhile and sleep awhile until Bible study that night. Ms. Maude embraced this ministry as she did all her work for her Lord and had crocheted 4 so far this year and was working on a fifth. Also attached are some recent pictures of her riding in the Hogskin Holidays parade, UMW day and her beloved D. D. Dodd Sunday School Class.
Brenda Barfell said it best on Monday, “You know the bar has just been raised, we now have to quit playing at being a Christian and follow the example Ms. Maude set to live Christianity every day.” Another person told me that “Ms. Maude was the bible we need to read every day”. She was a great lady and will be missed in our church, our community, and in our lives.
Alan & Janette GoolsbyHampton United Methodist Women Shawl Ministry
Maude Harrell, a longtime member of Hampton UMW, is shown with three of the Prayer Shawls she has completed crocheting. Hampton’s UMW began the ministry in 2012 and hopes to complete 12 shawls by Ingathering in October. The shawls will be used within the local community and will be distributed by our local pastor where needs arise.
The purpose of a prayer shawl is for comfort to people who have lost a loved one, are going through surgery, suffering through unpleasant procedures, joyful experiences (having a baby, adopting a child), or just to show love and caring to a person. Prayers are offered by the women working on each shawl either: crocheting, putting on the fringe or purchasing the materials needed. When the shawl is completed it is brought to the altar of Hampton United Methodist Church and pastor and congregation offer prayers of blessing.
To the recipient of this shawl: Please read the prayers below that have been offered for you by our group and our congregation. May you find peace and healing of your mind, body and soul. God loves you and we love you,
Prayer for Healing
Dear Heavenly Father, Be with the person who will wear this prayer shawl, each day. Comfort and console them as you hold them in your healing presence. May this shawl be a sign of your love and grace. May this shawl bring warmth when they are weary. May it surround the person and cover with love to ease the pain and suffering. O Christ, be with the doctors, nurses, and all who care for the sick. May your strong touch reach out to heal all the broken and hurting people and places in our world. We ask your blessing on the prayer shawl and the person who will wear it. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Prayer of Blessing-for completed shawl by Janet Bristow
May God’s grace be upon this shawl…Warming, comforting, enfolding and embracing. May this mantle be a safe haven…a sacred place of security and wellbeing…sustaining and embracing in good times as well as difficult ones. May the one who receives this shawl be cradled in hope, kept in joy, graced with peace, and wrapped in love. Blessed Be!
Hampton United Methodist Women Shawl Ministry
Crochet Instructions
Standard Shawl size:
26” x 60” to 30” x 64”
Materials:
3-4 skeins of bulky weight yarn
(185 yds. each)
Size M or N hook
Pattern:
Chain 60 or to desired size.
Chain 1, turn and single crochet
(sc) each stitch to the end.
Repeat this row two more times.
Chain 3, turn and double crochet
(dc) to end. Repeat this row two
more times.
Repeat this pattern to the end:
3 sc rows, 3 dc rows
End with 3 sc rows.
Fringe:
Make the fringe before you finish your shawl. Cut fringe pieces twice as long as you wanted to the fringe. Cut three pieces for every piece for every stitch.
Attach the fringe by doubling each set of three and pulling the loop through each stitch with the hook. Next pull the ends of the fringe through the loop and pull tight.
Prayers
Weave prayers into the shawl as you work. Begin with a prayer for blessing the shawl. Then, pray for the person who will receive the shawl, as you are making the shawl.
Prayers for Healing
as you make your shawl
In the name of the Father: the Creator, the Giver of Life the Holder of time; In
the name of the Jesus: the Savior, the Healer, and the Lifter of Pain; In the
name of the Spirit: the Comforter, the Consoler, and the Sustainer of Life,
I create this shawl as a mantle of caring. I create this mantle of protection. I
create this mantle of wholeness. I create this mantle of strength. I create this
mantle of healing. I create this mantle of patience. I create this mantle to enfold
you. I create this mantle to encircle you. I create this mantle to empower you.
May this prayer shawl warm and comfort you when you are weak and weary.
O Christ, who healed the broken in body and spirit, be with all who suffer today.
Be with the doctors, nurses, technicians, and all that care for the sick. May your
gentle yet strong touch reach out to heal all the broken and hurting people and
places in our world. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Mrs. Maude and Mrs. Winnie Harrell in the back seat of the Goolsby's Model A during the recent Hogskin Holidays Parade. The two sister-in-laws loved each other like they were sisters, and were best friends. Mrs. Winnie was moved to Little Rock a few years ago, but has returned to special events in Hampton several times a year.
