June 21, 2024

Midwest Mission Iowa Celebrates First Anniversary of Grand Opening

June 17th marked the one-year anniversary of the Midwest Mission Iowa grand opening in Jefferson, IA. 


At the beginning of 2023, God opened doors so that a second Midwest Mission location could become a reality. What started as a multi-year plan quickly became only a couple of months as the right building, people, and community fell into place.


Midwest Mission Iowa is not a replica of Midwest Mission’s original warehouse in Illinois but is a launching pad for the mission. Because of this, Midwest Mission Iowa does not offer week-long volunteer shifts but instead offers half-day experiences.


We know that a group of volunteers can do amazing things at Midwest Mission, but we also know that there is an even greater impact when each person goes home and gets someone else involved in mission. Once you experience the joy that comes from serving, you want to do more... and it's contagious!


The problem is not everyone can come to Midwest Mission, so we've created a way for the mission to go to your church and home. You should be able to impact the world from wherever you are. But, sometimes, figuring out which service opportunity is best for your community can be challenging. At Midwest Mission, we offer multiple hands-on mission opportunities that are easy, accessible, and can be done right where you are! Whether you want to serve from home or host an Off-Site Event at your location, we have everything you need to serve and grow together.


The Midwest Mission Experience allows you and your volunteer leaders to learn and try out the different opportunities Midwest Mission has for at-home or off-site serving.


Then, you will have all the information you need to return to your community and get others involved right where you are!


The best part? You'll be making a worldwide impact while you learn!


We are excited to see how God uses Midwest Mission Iowa to serve His Kingdom and continue providing for the least of these. 


You are invited to join us in our mission to be the hands and feet of Jesus by showing God’s love in a practical way. 


Learn more about Midwest Mission Iowa: midwestmission.org/iowa

Midwest Mission has been blessed with volunteers across the Midwest who give of their time, energy, and resources to assist us in carrying out God’s mission to help those in need.  


Some of these volunteers use the facilities God has blessed them with to provide a donation collection point for needed supplies. These are our Permanent Collection Sites!  


You can find their contact information at www.midwestmission.org/permanent-collection-sites.



What’s Happening @ Permanent Collection Sites?


Gay Street UMC, Mt. Vernon, OH – Beth Prince reached out with a donation of fire gear (jaws of life, generators, boots, etc.). Our truck overflowed with these much needed items.  Thank you so much for all who worked to make this possible!


Nebraska City FUMC, Nebraska City, NE – Dean Thomson brought a volunteer group to Midwest Mission. They have collected Personal Dignity Kits and bikes. What a great week!


Glenview UMC, Glenview, IL – Ethyl Doyle reports that they have collected three sewing machines and taken them to the Northern Illinois Conference. Thank you so much!


Mequon UMC, Mequon, WI – Karen and Joe Huffman have been combining their efforts with other churches in their conference to collect Personal Dignity Kits, buckets, and gloves.  We love it when you work together!


Emmanuel UMC, Noblesville, IN – Pat and Sharon Baumer helped Midwest Mission with a Rice Meal Pack at the Indiana Conference, using every opportunity to share Midwest Mission with others.


Bethany UMC, Green Bay, WI – Ron Vinger demonstrated the Loom for Sleeping Mats at this year’s Wisconsin Conference.  Thank you so much for being a Midwest Mission Ambassador.


Riverside UMC, Park Rapids, MN – Spike Wellman brought a group of volunteers to Midwest Mission at the beginning of June. They brought Personal Dignity Kits, onesies, and other items for our kits.  Thank you so much for being God’s hands and feet!


Hornick UMC, Hornick, IA – Catie Newman wanted to thank everyone for the donations that have been pouring in to Iowa after they were hit with devastating storms and tornadoes. At times Midwest Mission is able to share your donations right here at home.


If your congregation is interested in becoming a New Permanent Collection Site in 2024, please contact Teresa@midwestmission.org for more information.



This year, we launched a Sewing Group Cohort to connect sewers (and knitters and crocheters) who make items for Midwest Mission. This is a space to share stories, learn tips and tricks, and to be the first to know about changes.


Our hope is that the group would spur you on to invite more people to serve alongside you, to do more good in the world together.


If you have a passion for making handmade items for Midwest Mission and would like to join our Sewing Group Quarterly Zoom Meeting, please send your group name (if you are a part of a sewing group) and your name and email to our Project Manager, Teresa Whitehouse (Teresa@midwestmission.org). She will send you an invitation to join the next call on September 9th at 10:00 am. 


Get to know your fellow sewers!

Prayers to Lift Up

This week, pray with us for more Permanent Collection Sites. Pray, also, for our current sites, that they will be launching pads for mission, and that they will bring their communities closer together through opportunities of service.


"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Our 2023 Impact Report is available for download! Using the button below, you can download the report and share with someone you know!

Download

June Church Bulletin Insert

We 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!

Download June Bulletin PDF

You can purchase these items at your local store 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.


Onesies

(We are in BIG need of Onesies!! Please purchase when you are out, or click the link below.)

Size 0 - 6 Months, New

click here to purchase online


Day and Night Pads

You can make them at home using our patterns — click here and scroll down to Feminine Hygiene Kit. Tips and tricks: Click here to visit the page


Or, you can purchase them online and have them sent to Midwest Mission — Click here!

Midwest Mission Weekly Projects

Work of the Mission Volunteers


Work Done



  • 63 Bed Packs
  • 300 Home Care Kits
  • 940 Personal Dignity Kits
  • 18 Desks
  • 30 Layette Kits
  • Off-Site Pack Preparation
  • Poly Shop
  • Count into inventory
  • Sewing
  • Cleaning
  • Process Wood
  • Bike Shop
  • Sewing Machine Shop



Mission in Motion


Rice Meals

  • 548 — Macomb Wesley UMC, IL
  • 800 — East Bay Camp, IL
  • 1,287 — Dardenne Presbyterian VBS, Dardenne Prairie, MO

Personal Dignity Kits

  • 280 — Nebraska UMC, Lincoln, NE



Midwest Mission is able to do this work because of your generous donations and willingness to volunteer. Thank you!



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.

Link to Share the Midwest Mission Newsletter

Ready to Get Involved?

Here are three ways you can get involved at Midwest Mission:


1. Host an Off-Site Event


We have several hands-on mission opportunities you can host at your location! Visit midwestmission.org/off-site to learn more. Contact Melissa Brookens at 217-483-7911 or melissa@midwestmission.org to book your event or for questions.


2. Serve From Home


You can serve people around the world from right at home! From sewing, to assembling kits, there's something for everyone. Learn how at midwestmission.org/at-home.

3. Volunteer at Midwest Mission

We have dates available in 2024 and 2025! Have questions or need assistance in booking? Contact Pat Wright at  pat@midwestmission.org or 217-697-4063. 


Click here to check calendar openings and to reserve your spots.



2025 and 2026 Volunteer Calendar is 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. For example, December 1, 2023 you will be able to reserve Volunteer Shifts for March of 2024.



Midwest Mission Iowa

If you would like to do the Midwest Mission Experience at our Jefferson, IA location, visit midwestmission.org/iowa - or reach out to Melissa Brookens.

Volunteers at Work

June 17-21, 2024

Volunteer Leaders

Deb and Howard Orndorff

Nebraska City, Nebraska

Volunteer Teams

Illinois

First UMC

Nebraska City, Nebraksa

Pathway GMC

St. Joseph, MI

First UMC

Beardstown, IL

Simpson Group

Springfield, IL

Union Reunion

St. Louis, MO

Howard Family & Friends

Winchester, IL

Grace UMC

Jacksonville, IL

Ken and Julia Willman

Donnellson, IL

Iowa

Wesley Women

Mason CIty, IA

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!

Click Here for the UMVIM NCJ Newsletter
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