Trace Branch Sewing Ministry

April 03, 2014

In 2009  a church member spoke of the need for items at the local nursing home and the  “Sewing Ministry” of Trace Branch United Methodist Church began.  A small dedicated group of women from the church and community have made and distributed pillowcases, lap robes and adult bibs to the local nursing home.  We have made stuffed animals for the Methodist Children’s Home and collected household supplies for the Children’s Home and local shelters.  This past Christmas we completed 112 adult bibs for the local nursing home.   This spring we are providing household items and books for the local shelter.

Each spring we choose a project and  meet once a  month at the church to sew and fellowship.   After reading a newspaper article about a local shelter, Diana Mills, a member of the group, felt an immediate connection and suggested helping the local shelter.  With so many people facing loss of jobs and ultimately of their homes, shelters are needed more than ever.  After contacting the director of the shelter and asking how our group could help the shelter, Mills, who is the  coordinator for Writes’ Row-which is part of the Union College Redbud Festival of Appalachian Culture began working on coordinating a special project to be included in this year’s Writers’ Row.  “We’re asking that everyone donate  a book for the local shelter on  Saturday, April 12, 2014 during Writers’ Row,” Mills explained.   All donated books  will be delivered to the shelter and provide some much needed support for a wonderful project.  For additional information about the needs of the shelter, please contact Bonnie Cain at 546 3152.  

Trace Branch United Methodist Church  has delivered household items to the shelter in February and March and will be bringing the books that are collected after the Redbud Festival.  Barbara Cann, another member of the group said, “As a member of the group, I can honestly say that it has been an uplifting project for me.  You don’t have to be a sewer to be part of the group.  Everyone is welcome to fellowship, visit and enjoy our time together as we work on projects.”   
 
Dianne Simpson, another member of the group added, “Each member agrees that we all have been blessed by  participating in this project and hope that we can continue for many years.”
 
Writers’ Row is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2014 beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Robsion Arena (gym) on the Union College campus.  Admission is free for the event.  There will be volunteers in the gym to collect books for the shelter. 
 
For information about Writers’ Row, please contact:
Diana Mills 606-546 1620 or dmills@unionky.edu.