Saturday Afternoon, June 2

The members of Slate Hill Mennonite Church put in a lot of work to make this a fun day for their neighborhood.

This day began several years ago – in place of a week-long Bible school. All food and games are free to everyone.

TFC is supported by the church, so we are invited to bring a chapel and be part of the missionary village. We arrive early, because we happen to need a large spot. 🙂

Shortly after we are set up, Slate Hill sets up several of their outreach ministries behind us.

Church members gathered for prayer at 3:30 pm so they will be ready for the arrival of the first bus at 4:00 pm. Because their parking lot is filled with games, food items, and the ministry village,  people park their cars at a neighboring church and are bused to and from Slate Hill.

This year the prayer was a prayer song.

Because we were early, and I was sitting outside enjoying the beautiful evening, this sign caught my attention, so I walked across the driveway and asked about their hat-making ministry. Before I knew it the lady was teaching me how to make a hat.

After getting started, I went back to my chair at the chapel and prepared to wrap two rows of yarn around my loom, then remove row one by looping it over row two – with a small pick. The pattern continued until I had created twenty rows.

We have two jobs at this event – show the chapel to people and tell them about the ministry of TFC and stamp every ones ministry village map. This makes adults and children eligible for prizes. Cerwin brought me a small table and the stamp and pad and he manned the chapel.

Both of us were busy all evening. I don’t think we go anywhere that we have more people visit the chapel.

This was my view as I created a hat and stamped maps. The hat ministry was next to CMA.

In between stamping the maps, I worked on the hat. After twenty rows this lady showed me how to make the brim of the hat by putting the first row on the loom. Then I had to create twenty more rows before removing it from the loom.

Next year I will choose a smaller loom so I can completely finish a hat. I was at row fifteen when it was time to pack up and leave for home. She probably finished it the next day.

She said her goal it to make one hat a day – and often makes two. The ministry goal is 1,000 hats. The hats go to street ministries in Harrisburg and are used as packing in ministry items that are sent to Romania. That way the packing isn’t waisted, but can be used for warmth during their cold winters.

I wonder where my hat will go. I prayed a blessing on the person who receives it.