November 3, 2023

Sleeping Mat Stories of Hope and Connection

The Sleeping Mat Project is a fantastic way to reuse plastic bags, keep them from littering our environment, and give people without a bed a healthier sleep. 


Sleeping Mats are made out of "plarn," plastic yarn made from grocery bags, using a Loom. The Sleeping Mats are great for those who need a barrier between them and the ground, and are distributed locally and internationally. They have been sent for disaster relief, the homeless, and those without a bed or mattress.


Putting a Loom in a common gathering place allows people to experience the joy that comes from serving while building community and engaging with one another — all while making a big impact.

The Merry Mat Makers, Sugar Grove UMC, Rushville, IL

Sugar Grove United Methodist Church in Rushville has received three Looms from Midwest Mission to make Sleeping Mats. 


So far, they have made 11 mats that they have blessed. And, they have coined the perfect name for themselves — the Merry Mat Makers!


The Merry Mat Makers have sent their 11 mats to the Salvation Army in Quincy to serve the homeless. 


“We are still going strong, happy in our mission,” said Jo, one of the Merry Matt Makers. “Thanks for making this possible.”

Spreading Hope in The World and The Word About Midwest Mission, Hope UMC, Blue Earth, MN

Hope UMC in Blue Earth, MN has been busy weaving! They have made six mats so far, and are eager to continue, hoping to make two mats each month. So far, they have had 12 people from the congregation participate in the activity.


They have been spreading hope in the world by making these mats to provide a more comfortable sleep for someone in an unfortunate situation.


Hope UMC has also been spreading the word! They were recently featured in a beautiful article by the Minnesota Conference.


Here is a quote from the article that articulates the joy it brings to the receiver and the crafter:

"The opportunity has particularly been embraced by older women in the church, some of whom used to knit, sew, or crochet but no longer have the dexterity to do so. Joining the weaving ministry has given many participants a newfound sense of purpose.

 

"For example, the mother of a man in the congregation had a stroke several years ago that greatly affected her mobility. The man asked the weaving group to show him how to assemble the loops of the plastic bags into two-loop strips that are later woven in. They did, and he in turn taught his mother—who has joyfully taken on that task ever since. Her happiness and sense of self-worth have both improved because she has a valuable new way to spend her time.”

(Christa Meland, Director of Communications, Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church)


You can read the article here.


Thank you, both Sugar Grove UMC and Hope UMC, and all the other churches who participate in this great mission opportunity.


A Loom for Your Church

You can build your own Loom using the building plans found online at midwestmission.org/loom, or, for a $100 donation that will go toward material costs, we will provide you a ready-to-go Loom.


  1. Visit midwestmission.org/loom to read more about the Loom Project and watch how-to videos.
  2. At the bottom of the page, fill out the Loom Request form.
  3. Someone will reach out to you to coordinate pick-up and instructions.
  4. Videos, instructions, and tips will be available. 
  5. Set up the Loom in a common area, and watch as people come together and fellowship while doing mission work.
  6. Hand out the completed mats to local organizations, or bring the mats to Midwest Mission or a Permanent Collection Site near you.


*Please make sure you are looking for the correct sizes when shopping for Midwest Mission*


This is a photo of 86 lbs of shampoo and deodorant that recently had to be redirected because they weren't the right size... The store likes to trick you!

Read more below.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Without your donations, we wouldn’t have enough supplies to build our kits! At Midwest Mission, we deeply care about meeting the needs of others, and we create our kits with the recipient in mind. This means that we get feedback from our partners about what and how much goes into each kit, and the way the kits are packaged. We also consider what is commonly available for you to purchase in stores.


For example, Personal Dignity Kits are limited to the size of the leakproof one-gallon bags we use to pack them. We want to send as much as we can within that limit so we have defined size ranges for each product the kit contains.


Shampoo — 12-19 oz: Shampoo is a big need for our recipients. 12 oz is enough for a generous gift, and 19 ounces is the maximum size that will fit in the bags. Make sure that the bottle contains shampoo — we do not use conditioner in our kit.


Deodorant — 2-3 oz: Deodorant can be tricky (because brands are tricky!). Many brands fill the same size packaging with less product. We want to send the most we can in every kit, so please check that each deodorant is 2-3 oz.


Toothbrushes — sealed individual packages: We keep toothbrushes in their orignal sealed packages when we build kits. Often, the individual toothbrushes are not sealed within a multi-pack. Please check before purchasing.


This picture is of hygiene items we have recently received that will not go into our Personal Dignity Kits. Don't worry - they will be "redirected" to a local organizations such as food pantries and shelters. We always finda. good home for your generous donations.


But, if you are buying items with the intention of sending them out as part of a kit, please pay attention to the size and type.


We are thankful for your generosity when you hear our calls for supplies, and quickly donate. We want to make sure your intentions are met with success. You want to maximize your impact around the world. We do too.

-


*Too see a full list of our kits and the sizes of items that go in them, click here.*

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?

We would like to welcome our newest Permanent Collection Site added in September:

St. Joseph First UMC, St. Joseph, MI.  We are so thankful to have you onboard! 


We also want to share that Kelli Brewer, from our Murdock, NE Trailer Site, volunteered at Midwest Mission in Illinois with the Great Plains Conference UWF. Great work!


Howard Orndorff from Nebraska City UMC, Nebraska City, NE spent two weeks at Midwest Mission as a Volunteer Leader, making a difference by training others to serve. Your efforts are appreciated.


Coal City UMC, Coal City, IL delivered a trailer full of donations (sewing machines, walkers, canes, bicycles, Feminine Hygiene Kits and more). All much needed items. Thank you!


Riverside UMC, Park Rapids, MN is still going strong. Duane & Jennifer Gebhard coordinated to deliver more than seven sewing machines & medical supplies to our Illinois warehouse. Keep it coming!


We have added several new sites in 2023 and hope to add even more. 


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

November 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 November Bulletin PDF

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


Diaper Pins

must have plastic closures — purchase here

Prayers to Lift Up

Our prayer this week is one of thanks: We are thankful that God gives us all we need to serve one another. Even more so, we are thankful He is the bread of life — leaving us with everlasting hope for the future.

"Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'"

John 6:35

Midwest Mission Weekly Projects

Work of the Mission Volunteers


Work Done

  • 18 Desks built and polyurethaned
  • 4 Bikes repaired
  • 20 Sewing Machines repaired


  • 90 Personal Dignity Kits
  • 110 Student Kits
  • 620 UMCOR Menstrual Hygiene Kit


  • Counted items into inventory
  • Rice Meal prep
  • Cleaning


Disbursements

  • CICIM, Decatur, IL: Redirect furniture, wheelchair Value: $2,756.00


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?


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



2025 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. 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.

Volunteers at Work

October 30 - November 3, 2023

Volunteer Leaders

Chuck & Karen Porter

Brighton, IL

Volunteer Teams

Marshall UMC

Marshall, MI

Lighthouse

Rochester, IL

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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