A new sewing ministry, Sewing Servants, officially started up at First Baptist Church in Quitman on March 22 at 9:30 a.m.
The founders of the ministry—Beverly Oliveros, Freda Parker, and Diane Sellers—are excited to use their talents to help serve others. The idea to start the group derived from a discussion involving making items for Christmas shoeboxes with Samaritan’s Purse.
“We all know each other through church and have a common interest in sewing. We were talking about doing a project for the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas shoe boxes. We thought about doing little pillowcase dresses for little girls, but we thought making backpacks may be better all-around for both boys and girls,” explained Beverly. “We thought we’d just get together during the summer to get started making them. Then, Freda approached me and asked why we don’t just start sewing at the church and invite other women.”
Once they had the idea, everything else just seemed to fall into place for them.
“This was really God directed because God opened doors in ways that we didn’t plan or even think about. After Freda suggested doing it at the church, I said I would talk to our pastor, Gene Neal. I called him and told him I’d like to speak with him about 30 minutes before Wednesday night service started. I went by his office and wasn’t even there to talk about the sewing project. I’m going on a mission trip and was talking to him about writing up something for the organization I’m going with to give his approval,” expressed Beverly. “When we got all that settled I turned around and told him I had another question for him. I told him that some of us were wanting to start a sewing group at the church and asked if there was a room available that we could set up in and not have to bring sewing machines and all back and forth all the time. He said that there was a Sunday school class we could use and that he thought it was a great idea.”
After two years of dealing with Covid restrictions, they are excited to be able to bring a form of fellowship back. They have also developed a mission for the group and seek to use their talents to share Christ with others.
“We’ve had two years of no contact or fellowship. I believe that God gives us talents and gifts and that we are to share those. In that process of sharing talents, we share Jesus. It’s an everyday lifestyle honoring Jesus with your hands, feet, and mouth,” informed Beverly. “That’s our goal, really; our mission statement is based on Acts 39. We’re here as helping hands to share the gospel of Jesus. Our goal is introducing Jesus, but also we are compelled to use our gifts and talents if there is a need.”
They aren’t only interested in reaching out to other places. The group wants to make an impact on the community as well.
“We want to be servants for the community,” declared Freda. “We want to be community minded and mission minded.”
They invite anyone in the community who would like to be involved to come join their group. They know how their meetings will work and plan to base them around Christ and fellowshipping with each other as they work.
“We plan to open the meeting with prayer and a scripture to ponder on for that day. Then, everyone will do their visiting and sewing,” described Beverly. “It’s just a form of fellowship and doing good for others too. We just hope it will grow. It’s not only for people in our church to come but also the community; it’s a community effort.”
For anyone who would like to join the group but doesn’t know how to sew, there are plenty of things that anyone is able to do. The ladies are even willing to help teach others to sew if they really want to learn.
“I’m not a professional, but I’m more than willing to help anyone learn to sew if they want to help,” proclaimed Freda. “People can help us by doing anything, too; they don’t all have to sew. They can iron, press, cut, and fold fabric. It’s a whole process.”
They are prepared for everything and have their room set up. People are more than welcome to bring supplies to leave in the safe environment.
“I’ve taken my sewing machine and left it, so everyone can bring their supplies,” declared Diane. “We have empty shelving now.”
They have already begun their first project and have found a way to witness to anyone who receives their work.
“We’re just getting started, but we will have our little labels on there to share and tell people how to accept Jesus because that is our goal,” explained Beverly. “Our first project is making these little drawstring bags to put in shoeboxes. We’ll have different designs for girls and boys. We’re making them out of a durable fabric. We thought this would be a good way to help the congregation fill up their boxes because it’s getting expensive to fill the boxes up now. We have a goal to make about 250 because that’s about how many boxes we did last year.”
Once they complete their project for the Samaritan’s Purse, they have other projects already lined up that can benefit the community.
“We also have other projects in mind. The fire department needs quilts or blankets. When they go out on a call where a house is burning, the people there can be comforted with a blanket,” continued Beverly. “It’s just a small gesture when you’re losing everything because it’s burning down in front of you and someone comes up and comforts you with a blanket.”
With the great plans they have in mind, the new group will need donations to assist them. If someone would like to contribute to the group but isn’t able to attend physically, they can contribute much needed supplies or money to purchase whatever the group needs to make their projects possible.
“We do need donations. We need 100% clean cotton fabric,” stated Freda. “On our bags, we need cotton fabric, but we need it to be very durable, like a canvas cotton fabric. We want it for boys and girls. This is something they can keep. All the toys are wonderful at Christmas, but these bags are something they can keep their toys in or their clothes. They can keep it for years to come. We do need donations, though, because we’re starting from scratch.”
Any donations can be received at First Baptist Church in Quitman. The program falls under Women on Missions (WOM), so any donations to Sewing Servants will need to make sure to specify where the contribution is intended to go.
“Any donations can be made to First Baptist Church, but it would go towards Women on Mission (WOM). We’re under the umbrella of Women on Missions. People can make a check out to First Baptist Church of Quitman and in the memo put WOM,” explained Diane. “If they’re bringing items like sewing machines or pin cushions, etc., then they can just say it’s for WOM Sewing Servants and drop it off at the office. They’ll contact us, and we’ll go put it to use.”
The ladies of the group are more than willing to answer any questions that people may have.
“If anyone has a question and needs to talk to us, just call the church at 601-776-2184 and leave a message with Linda Neal. She’ll take their information, and we’ll call them back,” said Beverly.
Sewing Servants will meet weekly in the Ladies 2 Sunday school room at First Baptist Church in Quitman every Tuesday from 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Anyone in the community who would like to join is welcome to attend.
