September 20, 2024

Midwest Mission Serving Sunday Brought Joy Around the Midwest!

Disciples UMC in Mt. Morris, prays during their Student Kit Serving Event

On Sunday, September 15th, we celebrated Midwest Mission Serving Sunday. Midwest Mission Serving Sunday is a day to celebrate the joy that comes from serving our brothers and sisters around the world.


In Acts 20, we learn that God blesses us when we bless others. Verse 35 says “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” We are blessed with the feeling of joy that comes from serving people in need. Not only does it make a difference in the lives of recipients, but it also changes the lives of those serving! 


When we serve alongside friends, family, and even strangers, we connect with one another, and, if you’re serving within the church, it reinvigorates your congregation! 


Midwest Mission Serving Sunday was just that — a day to reinvigorate your congregations by getting them excited about serving and making a difference around the world and around the corner.


And, it was a success!


We loved seeing photos of all the joy that was spread through collecting needed items, assembling Kits, and packing Blessing Bags (Rice Meals)!

Emmanuel UMC, in Noblesville, IN, got everyone involved. One of their mission team members arranged a supply drive at the assisted living facility she works at. The residents donated school supplies and helped assemble 20 Student Kits.


Their congregation continued the service project by collecting school supplies and assembling 80 more Student Kits, for a total of 100 Student Kits!


No matter age, ability, or experience, we are created to serve with and for one another. At Midwest Mission, we offer a multitude of projects and ways to serve, so that everyone may participate in sending hope and empowerment around the world and around the corner. Thank you, Emmanuel UMC, for being an example of just that!


If you have photos or stories from your event, we’d love to have them. Send them to mallory@midwestmission.org, and let us know how MM Serving Sunday impacted your community. (Even if you didn’t participate on this specific Sunday, we’d still love your pictures and stories!)

Next year, we will be celebrating Midwest Mission Serving September! Why limit the joy of serving to one day? Let’s join together for a whole month of helping those in need! 


Stay tuned to learn more about how you can get involved in MM Serving September, but you can start planning now! From assembling Kits, to packing Blessing Bags, to holding a sewing group, there is something for everyone. Talk to your mission team today about what that could look like for your congregation!

Midwest Mission Iowa Will Soon Have a

Bike Shop and Sewing Machine Shop

Midwest Mission Iowa is a training ground for off-site and at-home mission opportunities. It's amazing what a group of volunteers can do at Midwest Mission, but what is even more amazing is the impact that is made 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 day-to-day service opportunity at MM Iowa is the Midwest Mission Experience, to learn and try out different opportunities Midwest Mission has for at-home or off-site serving. You can learn more about the Experience here.


As we continue to expand the mission of Midwest Mission Iowa, we wanted to have more opportunities for locals to regularly volunteer at the location. 


So, next week, we are opening a Bike Shop and Sewing Machine Shop.


For many years at our Illinois location, we have refurbished bikes and sewing machines as part of our Micro Business area. We send these items around the world so people in need can make a living and have hope and feel empowered.


With opening shops in Iowa, even more items will be prepared to send around the world and around the corner.

On Thursday, September 26, we are hosting a Volunteer Training for the Bike Shop and the Sewing Machine Shop.


We need volunteers who are willing to regularly work on the bikes or sewing machines. Don't know how? Don't worry!


That's why we are hosting this Volunteer Training. These are simple, step-by-step processes anyone can learn. From repairs to cleaning, there's something for everyone — all a necessary part of the process.


You can learn Bike Refurbishing or Sewing Machine Refurbishing, or both! There are two available times for each training: 8am - 10am and 10am - 12pm. 


To sign up for the training, visit midwestmission.org/iowa-volunteer-training.


Prayers to Lift Up

Pray with us this week that God's people would fix their eyes on Him and Him only. That as the body of Christ, we would seek His righteousness so that we may be made whole in Him who is perfect.



“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

-Matthew 6:33


Our 2024 Summer Update is available for download! Using the button below, you can download the report and share with someone you know!

Download

September 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 September Bulletin PDF


  • Receiving Blankets
  • Must be 28"x28" to 32" x 32" and made out of new flannel
  • Our goal is 2,000 Receiving Blankets and we have already collected 1,500!
  • Onesies
  • New 0-6 months



Click here to purchase these items online.



You can bring items to Midwest Mission or a Permanent Collection Site near you — or send them through the mail to 1001 Mission Drive, Pawnee, IL 62558.


Midwest Mission Weekly Projects

Work of the Mission Volunteers


Work Done


Offsite:

  • 350 Student Kits, Disciples UMC, Mt. Morris, IL


Onsite:

  • Poly Shop
  • Desk Shop
  • Bike Shop
  • Birthing Kit Assembly
  • Offsite pack prep
  • Student Kit Assembly


  • 420 Birthing Kits assembled
  • 931 Student Kits assembled and 19 received
  • 10 Layette Kit received
  • 60 PDK received


Disbursements:


  • St. Vincent De Paul. Streator, IL: 40 hospital Bed Mattresses, Value: $4,000.00
  • City Church, Jacksonville, IL: 12 Hospital Bed Mattresses, Value: $1,200.00
  • St. Martin de Porres, Springfield, IL: Furniture and School Supplies, Value: $2,600.00



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!  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.


Learn more at midwestmission.org/at-midwestmission.




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

September 16-20 , 2024

Volunteers Leaders

Mike & Jane Strayer

Valpraiso, IN

Mark & Mary Grant

Trenton, TX

Teri & Evelyn Erbele

Carlton, MN

Illinois Teams

BUMC

Brooklyn Center, MN

Simpson Group

Springfield, IL

Taylorville UMC

Taylorville, IL

Grace UMC

Jacksonville, IL

Community Fellowship Inc.

Jamestown, IN

Douglas Avenue UMC

Springfield, IL

St. Joseph UMC

St, Joseph, IL

Oakwood/Catlin UMCs

Oakwood/Catlin, IL

Zion UMC

Batavia-Adell, WI

Iowa Teams

Hope Church

Pocahontas County, 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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