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Pastor faithfully handcrafts vessels for worship services
Mary Jacobs, Jul 27, 2010
COURTESY PHOTOS
United Methodist licensed local pastor Hue Parnell makes pottery items for worship, including Communion chalices.
By Mary Jacobs Staff Writer
“O Lord . . . We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand,” said the prophet Isaiah.
Paraphrasing that for Hue Parnell: He is the potter, and the work of his hands is serving God.
When thousands gathered for the Missouri Annual Conference’s Sunday morning worship in June, Communion was served with 16 chalices handcrafted by Mr. Parnell, a licensed local pastor serving part-time at Fairview United Methodist Church in rural Lebanon, Mo.
Mr. Parnell had worked with stoneware and porcelain pottery for more than 40 years, but only last fall found a way to put his pottery skills to spiritual use. Performing an infant baptism, he discovered there were few handcrafted pottery items to use in the ceremony that fit the bill.
“I went online and looked at the various faith vessels on the market,” he said. “A lot of what’s offered is made by potters but not pastors. They just don’t understand how the items are used. I saw there was a real need.”
A baptismal vessel, for example, needs to stand at the right height and should hold the right quantity of water, Mr. Parnell said. Many of the items available online were aesthetically pleasing but not functional.
So Mr. Parnell brought the idea of starting a new pottery business to his Wednesday night covenant group of fellow pastors. (Because Mr. Parnell serves quarter-time as a pastor, he’s expected to find other ways to support his family.)
His colleagues liked the idea. With their input and support, Mr. Parnell and his wife, Marla, launched Faith Vessels Pottery for Worship (www.faithvessels.com) in May at the Kansas West Annual Conference.
The new business sells Communion plates and chalices, baptismal sets, Ash Wednesday bowls, jars for oil used in anointing and one modern-day add-on: a small jar for hand sanitizer, now standard equipment for anyone serving Communion.
The Parnells have exhibited their wares at the Missouri, Kansas West, Kansas East and Rocky Mountain annual conferences, and plan to do so at more annual conferences next year. So far, sales are good.
“We feel we’re off to a good start,” said Ms. Parnell. “We’re offering pottery that is unique, high-quality and affordable, particularly for smaller congregations.” The Parnells estimate the items they sell are priced at about one-half to two-thirds of the average cost of competitors. They donate 10 percent of their gross to the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
“If God gave you a talent, he probably had a reason,” Mr. Parnell said. “For some, it may be speaking ability or a singing voice. Mine was working in clay.”
COURTESY PHOTOS.jpg)
His colleagues liked the idea. With their input and support, Mr. Parnell and his wife, Marla, launched Faith Vessels Pottery for Worship (www.faithvessels.com) in May at the Kansas West Annual Conference. 
