Several years ago, Danille Curtis started at Midwest Mission as our first ever Conference Public Relations Coordinator.  Her vision for the Central Iowa area brought great success. She began hosting Midwest Mission volunteer days in Jefferson, Iowa at First UMC. This venture turned into the Midwest Mission Iowa location. Danille’s husband Kent was brought on to assist with off-site packs and collections and they began running a permanent collection site. To get Midwest Mision Iowa started, they used their free time (and vacation time from their full time jobs!) to get Midwest Mission Iowa up and running, focusing all of their efforts on the location.

With Midwest Mission Iowa on its feet, Danille and Kent are transitioning back to their original roles. Danille will be on the road, speaking to congregations and organizations as our Iowa Public Relations Specialist. Both Danille and Kent will be leading Mission in Motion events from the Iowa location.

“You could not ask for better representatives for Midwest Mission,” Chantel Corrie, Executive Director, said.  “We are so grateful they use their time and talents for Midwest Mission. We are so glad to have them take the Mission to the people.”

We thank them for their vision, faith, hard work, and patience!

This transition is being made possible as Alaire Willits is answering God’s call on her life once again. Alaire is retiring as a Local Licensed Pastor, and is going back to her Deaconess roots. This decision was made with lots of prayer and coordination with the Iowa Annual Conference. Alaire has accepted the position as Midwest Mission’s Iowa Volunteer Coordinator. Up until her hiring, Alaire has served on Midwest Mission’s Board of Directors. She was integral in getting MM Iowa up and running, serving as a dedicated volunteer leader, leading in the loom project and kit assembly. Alaire has also served diligently for Iowa Ingathering for several years, dedicated to her call to live out her faith through hands-on mission. She has been a great liaison between Iowa Ingathering and Midwest Mission.

“Alaire is passionate about who Midwest Mission is, what we do, and how we do it. She is committed to helping reinvigorate churches and communities through the joy of serving. She has experienced it with her own congregations, so she can give great testimony to those who will be coming to Midwest Mission Iowa,” said Chantel.

Welcome, Alaire, to the team! Be sure to say hi and congratulate her if you visit the Jefferson, Iowa location. We are excited to have her energy on our staff.

Barb Hedinger Promoted to Volunteer Manager

Over five years ago, Barb made her initial transition from MM volunteer to MM staff member. She was hired as the Volunteer Coordinator to increase kit and process consistency — and if you know Barb, she was perfect for the job. She has worked tirelessly over the last five years to perfect the systems we use, and the kits we send, all so those receiving our items would truly be getting our best. 

In November, Barb was promoted to Volunteer Manager, overseeing all volunteer activities in Illinois and Iowa. After MM Iowa opened, and as we continue to grow, we realized consistency and processes are more important than ever. Barb will ensure that wherever Midwest Mission is, we will be a conduit of love and peace to those in need, through the proper items that have been requested and fulfilled in the right way.

Congratulations, Barb! And thank you for your years of dedication to this ministry!

Jeff Whitehouse hired as MM Driver. We need more drivers!

Earlier this year, Jeff Whitehouse, husband to our Project Manager, Teresa Whitehouse, was hired to assist in driving part time for MM. 

It’s crazy how many places our drivers are traveling in one week. From donation pick-ups, to drop offs, to Mission in Motion events, our two drivers could be in as many as four states in one week! That’s why we hired Jeff, and that’s why we are still on the lookout for more drivers.

If you’re interested in driving for Midwest Mission - either on a part-time or volunteer basis, please reach out! You can email chantel@midwestmission.org, and we will follow up with you.

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

During the second week of Advent, we light the candle of Peace. We are able to have peace in this anything-but-peaceful world because of Jesus. This child, the Prince of Peace, has been born for us. 

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

During the second week of Advent, we light the candle of Peace. We are able to have peace in this anything-but-peaceful world because of Jesus. This child, the Prince of Peace, has been born for us. 

It was a confusing thing to the Jews receiving the baby. Their Savior, this Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, was supposed to take over the world as a warrior (at least in their mind). Yet, he came as a child, in the pains of child-birth, in the chaos of Mary’s story, in the fear of King Herod.

But there was peace. 

Their Savior - our Savior - came as a child, thrown into the same broken world that we grew up in, and breathed as we do.

What he brought was more valuable than any human idea of victory, or any great warrior that would take down earthly kingdoms. 

His victory was eternal. His later sacrifice would bring everlasting peace in the world of brokenness. 

The holidays can bring a lot of different emotions — joy, laughter, and love, but also grief, sadness, and brokenness. Many times, the holidays feel anything-but-peaceful.

But thankfully, we don’t have to rely on ourselves to feel peace in our lives. Instead, we look up to the one who brings ultimate peace.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27

We have this supernatural peace that truly doesn’t make sense to those who don’t have it. It’s our job to share the Peace of God, that the Prince of Peace brought for us.

At Midwest Mission, we get to give pieces of tangible peace to people in desperate, chaotic situations. As we pray over the items, our hope is that the resources bring a sense of calm in their crisis, so they may receive the peace that only God can bring.

This week, reflect on the pieces of your life that might not feel so peaceful. Can you give them to God? This supernatural peace is not reliant on mended situations, but shines in the midst of the darkest day, as the light of the Prince of Peace shines through.

God is doing great things at Midwest Mission! We combined some of our most recent "God Moments" into a publication called "God is On the Move."

Using the button below, you can download the stories and share with someone you know!

December 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!

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" — can be store-bought or handmade — purchase here

Midwest Mission Weekly Projects

Work of the Mission Volunteers

Work Done

• 820 Student Kits
• 425 Rice Meal Bags
• 130 Personal Dignity Kits
• Cleaning
• Desks
• Sewing Machines
• Trace Patterns
• Counting into inventory

Disbursements

• Rotary of Lincoln, Nebraska: 150 Menstrual Hygiene Kits Value: $2,100.00
• St. Martin de Porres, Springfield, IL: Cleaning, hygiene, and school supplies, body wipes Value: $11,336.00

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



Volunteers | December 4-8

Volunteer Leaders

Chuck and Karen Porter

Brighton, IL

Ron and Sharon Monroe

Fairbury, IL

Volunteers

Athens UMC

Athens, IL

Channahon UMC

Channahon, IL

IGRC Staff

Springfield, IL

Ready to Get Involved?

Host an Off-Site Event!

We have several easy, hands-on mission opportunities for all ages that your church can participate in. You can make an impact around the world from right where you are!

Learn more here

For more ways to get involved, including serving at Midwest Mission in Illinois or Iowa, or serving from home, go to midwestmission.org/get-involved.