18 Urbana-Champaign Area Churches Came Together; Packed 6,000 Rice Meals | |
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"WOW! Eighteen churches coming together to worship and praise God, then working with Midwest Mission to help those in need. What a truly amazing day," Laura Wittig, Oakwood UMC, said of the event in Fairmont, IL as Midwest Mission kicked off October on Sunday together with people representing 18 churches for World Communion Sunday. Held at the Crooked Creek Whitetails Estate, the churches came together to celebrate the special Sunday in worship and by serving others through the assembly of Rice Meal Packs.
The weather was beautiful and the venue was set up perfectly for the service project to be done overlooking the water. Multiple lines were available and ready for the attendees to fill 1,000 Rice Meal Bags and they did just that after raising their voices together in song, partaking of communion and listening to messages of hope and community. They packed 25 boxes with 40 Rice Meal Bags per box. Each bag feeds an average family of six. They created enough meals to feed 6,000 individuals in about an hour and a half.
"This was the first time that I had volunteered for the Midwest Mission and it was
amazing. I love going to church and learning about God but standing outside with my funny hat on (aka: hair net) and disposable gloves with a bunch of other Christians filling rice meal bags made me feel closer to God and his work then I had been in a long time. Knowing that I was able to help families by a simple task on a Sunday afternoon gave me such joy and happiness. I truly felt blessed that I was able to volunteer for this project. I am thankful for all who work and volunteer with the Midwest Mission. They are truly God’s people."- Christine Nargelenas, Catlin UMC
"It was wonderful to see so many fellow Methodists raise their voices in worship together, enjoy fellowship over lunch and then put their faith into action by filling rice meal bags for those in need around the world. Why do we only do this once a year?" Marilyn Elrod, Oakwood UMC
The churches that came together included:
- Allerton UMC (Allerton; Pastor Clyde Snyder)
- Batestown UMC/Union Corner UMC (Danville/Danville; Pastor Patti Wise)
- Fairmount UMC/Fairview UMC/Georgetown UMC (Fairmount/Georgetown/Georgetown; Pastor Matt Filicsky)
- Fithian UMC/Danville Farmers Chapel UMC (Fithian/Danville; Pastor Jie Wu Smith)
- Homer UMC/Broadlands UMC (Homer/Broadlands; Pastor Heju Nam)
- Middlefork UMC/Gifford UMC/Collison UMC (Potomac/Gifford/Collison; Pastor George Desmond)
- Oakwood UMC/Catlin UMC/Hebron UMC (Oakwood/Catlin/Oakwood; Pastor Trevor Oetting)
- Newman UMC/Murdock UMC (Newman/Murdock; Pastor Melanie Hoth)
If you are interested in getting your church or group involved in an off-site service project, here are your opportunities! We look forward to serving with you!
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Three International Shipments Sent Out
in One Week
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On Tuesday, Oct. 3, a shipment was loaded for IHDN, International Health and Development Network's Mission Hospital, located in Ghana. The container included: 4 stretchers, cleaning supplies, 64 cases of body wipes, clothing, 231 stacking/folding chairs, 25 bikes, a variety of orthopedic boots, splints, braces, etc., 6 IV poles, 30 walkers, 1 cane, 5 wheelchairs and additional miscellaneous medical supplies. | | |
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"Doc" Edem and June Agamah, of Springfield, IL., founded the IHDN. On site for the shipment, they took time to speak to the volunteer teams that were on campus. Plus, Doc led a prayer over the shipment and supplies and also offered prayers of thanksgiving for those who provided the supplies and for the volunteers and staff of Midwest Mission.
It's a long-time partnership that has grown over the years.
For more information on the ministry go to: IHDN.
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Two shipments were sent out for Food For The Poor. The Guyana container included 17 bikes, 30 twin hospital bed mattresses, 108 Midwest Mission desks, 40 stacking/folding chairs, 40 electric sewing machines, 35,000 disposable face masks, 1,000 hospital gowns, 13,200 Rice Meal Bags, five folding tables, 204 blankets, 2 stretchers, 30 pair of crutches, 11 canes, 3 treadle machines, 727 bed pads, and more. Value: $176,978.60 Weight: 29,165 lbs.
The shipment to El Salvador included: 16 bikes, 10 twin hospital bed mattresses, 42 electric sewing machines, 5 treadle sewing machines, 160 Layette Kits, 5 large mobility carts, 5 pull carts, 7 small mobility carts, 5 Dometic brand 20-qt coolers, 18,000 Rice Meal Bags, 30,000 disposable face masks, 1,200 hospital gowns, 214 tools including shovels, flashlights, hammers, 13 pair of crutches, 16 walkers, 6 wheelchairs, 28 canes and more! Value: $162,619.00 Weight: 27,429 lbs.
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October Church Bulletin Insert | |
We now offer monthly church bulletin inserts that you can slide in your church's bulletin. These inserts keep your congregation up-to-date on our current needs and upcoming events! | |
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You can purchase these items at your local store, or make them, and take them to Midwest Mission or a Collection Site near you. You can also buy items online and have them shipped right to Midwest Mission.
Day Pads
Patterns
Go to Feminine Hygiene Kit
Purchase
Select the first ones listed
Receiving Blankets
28"x28" - 32"x32"
Bed Pillows
must be new!
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Please pray with us for the recent shipments that have left our warehouse. Pray that the containers will reach their destination in a timely manner and will arrive safely. Pray that each item will be a blessing to those who receive it, and that each person will know the love of God and His people.
"Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
Romans 12:13
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Midwest Mission Weekly Projects
Work of the Mission Volunteers
Work Done
- 18 Desks built
- Desk parts made
- Desks polyurethaned
- 18 Bikes repaired
- 60 Home Care Kits
- 37 Bed Packs
- 160 Feminine Hygiene Kits
- 190 Student Kits
- 260 Personal Dignity Kits
- 530 UMCOR Menstrual Hygiene Kits
- Sewing
- Cleaning
- Counted items into inventory
Disbursements
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Food For The Poor, El Savador Value: $1,62,619.00 (story above)
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Food For The Poor, Guyana, Value $176,978.60 (story above)
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International Health and Development Network (IHDN), Ghana (story above)
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Chatham Micropantry, VFW Hall, Chatham, IL: Redirect hygiene supplies Value: $40.00
Midwest Mission is able to do this work because of your generous donations and willingness to volunteer. Thank you!
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Share some GOD news with those you love! | Do you have family or friends that need some GOOD News - GOD News - to uplift them? If so please click on the button below and share the link provided. The more we can spread the word about the work God is doing here, the more we can make the world a happier place. | |
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Volunteer at Midwest Mission
Dates are available in 2023, 2024, and 2025
Need a Saturday option for team volunteering
or assistance in booking? Contact Pat Wright at pat@midwestmission.org or 217-697-4063
Click below to check calendar openings and to reserve your spots.
Volunteer Reservation Calendar
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2025 Volunteer Calendar is now open for dorm reservations!
Go to our Reservation Calendar, log in, reserve your rooms, and submit payment for your Non-refundable Reservation Fee via credit card or electronic check. We will email you the Access Code to reserve Volunteer Shifts for your team. You must complete this step for your team to volunteer at Midwest Mission.
For local teams and individuals: Volunteer Shifts will only be available 3 months ahead of time. Beginning October 1, 2023 you will be able to reserve Volunteer Shifts for January of 2024.
Thank you for your patience as we try to improve the reservation experience for both local teams and those staying in the dorm.
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Volunteers at Work
October 2-6, 2023
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Ron and Sharon Monroe
Fairbury, IL
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Asbury UMC
Prairie Village, KS
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Ellettsville UMC
Ellettsville, IN
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Westwood UMC
Kalamazoo, MI
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National Honor Society Students
Springfield, IL
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Prairie Chapel Church
Marion, IA
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We are so grateful for all our local and regular volunteers, and the time they give towards volunteering at Midwest Mission. We appreciate their passion and dedication to the ministry! | | | | |
