A few good people working together can make a big difference in other people’s lives, and the women at the Chillicothe Methodist Church are doing just that.

I was first contacted about writing a story about a group making sleeping mats for the homeless, which I thought would make a good story, especially for our Christmas edition. Upon meeting with the women, I not only found out about the mats, but the many projects they do throughout the year to help others.

Julie Crull, a member of the church, heard about these mats and started researching how to make them. The mats are made from plastic bags from all different stores. People from their church and others drop off bags for them to weave on two 6x3 ft. looms. It takes approximately 800 bags for one mat. The mats have beautiful designs that Julie creates with different color bags, and because they are plastic and are tightly woven, they don't let the moisture from the ground through. "It's a bit like making giant potholders," Brenda Stewart, who is the head of missions, laughed. She said about 10-12 women come and work on the mats when they have a few hours during the week, some clean and cut the bags into strips, some weave, but added that many people in the church and others supply bags.

When the mats, which are approximately 6 ft. long and about 3 ft. wide, are finished, they are taken to Pathways Ministries in Peoria, where they are distributed to the homeless living outside. Along with each mat, they also give an emergency blanket. “Pathways always appreciates getting the mats and said they are an answer to prayer.” So far, the church has supplied 30 mats to Pathways.

Brenda began telling me about other mission projects that they do at the church. SnackPac is one of their biggest programs. Their church, along with volunteers from other churches and the community, comes together to pack 285 lunches every other week for local area school children to take home each Friday. Children receiving free lunches are recipients of the take-home bags. Food for these lunches is picked up from Midwest Food Bank, and if more items are needed, they are bought at Sam's Club through donations from the congregation and fundraising events they have, like the semi-annual rummage sales held in the spring and the fall each year. The Chillicothe Township has also provided funds when needed. Any leftover items after the sale are taken to the Dream Center in Peoria or resale shops.

Another program they participate in is First Night Backpacks, which Sue Worrick heads up. This program provides children taken to foster care with a backpack filled with pajamas, a toothbrush, clothes, and a stuffed animal to take with them. 

Throughout the year, the whole Congregation comes alongside the Community Needs Agency, collecting food and school supplies. 

In the winter, hats, gloves, and scarves are donated to the children at Cunningham Children's Home, and every Christmas, they adopt two children from Chaddock Children's Home to give presents to make their holiday a little brighter. During the Christmas season, they also provide Christmas bags for all the shut-ins in their congregation. 

Another venture is making diapers, gowns, and lap quilts for the Midwest Mission to distribute. On Valentine’s Day, the women make up Valentine’s boxes for the deployed military and college students.

This year, the women’s group hosted the Chosen Series Bible study from the Chosen television show. They facilitated and watched an episode together and afterwards had a discussion. "It was very good and well attended," Brenda said. "As of now, we are planning on continuing this study when the 6th season comes out next year."

Each summer in June, the church runs the FUMC Kids Camp at Camp Wokanda in Mossville. This camp includes cooking, hiking, canoeing, crafts, and games. This summer, two other area churches, the LaPrairie Church and Chillicothe Christian Church, will come alongside them to help. Contact the church for dates, times, and ages.

Brenda says so many of the people in the congregation help in some way or the other, whether it's donating bags, bagging lunches, providing funds, sewing, buying toys, or making calls. It's a group effort to provide for others, make people’s lives a little brighter, and to follow Jesus’ example to love one another.

Thank you, ladies at the First Methodist Church, for all you do. Merry Christmas and God Bless you as you go about His work.