Eastern North Dakota Synod

In the winter of 2011 the Health Ministry Team of Messiah Lutheran (Fargo) organized volunteers (ages 9 to 94) and began making “Pillowcase Dresses and Britches” for the Little Dresses for Africa project. This is a non-denominational organization based in Michigan that provides clothing to children in need. Learn more at littledressesforafrica.org

Messiah’s initial project produced 239 dresses and 51 britches (shorts) for boys. It began with gathering supplies, spending time together (or at home during the winter months), and producing the garments in love. The youth at Messiah tie-dyed donated white pillowcases. This became a multi-generational project for the church.

God used the hands of volunteers at Messiah, and the congregation was graced with beautiful clothing hanging on clotheslines in the sanctuary. The Hour of Worship televised service from Messiah Lutheran allowed us the opportunity to share this project with the viewers. We received donations of binding, elastic, ribbons, pillowcases, and money from people in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Pennsylvania and Canada. More importantly God worked through the Hour of Worship to share the excitement of this project, with 59 other churches contacting Messiah’s Parish Nurse, Sandi Kimmet, RN, forinformation on how to implement the project at their churches. God’s Hands led the hands of this congregation to reach out in an even greater way.

Sandi has maintained contact with Rachel O’Neill, the director of Little Dresses for Africa. She learned that some of the dresses from Messiah were sent to Haiti with medical volunteers following the earthquake and some were sent to Malawi for orphans who were left without clothing. These clothing items are light weight, easy to roll and pack up. This is a benefit for international travelers. God’s work. Our hands.

[The Messiah Health Ministry Team is planning on repeating the project in 2012. Sandi notes that this is an easy, short-term creative project and creates beautiful work to share with God's children in the world. The next "Pillowcase Sewing/Bandage Rolling Bee" will be held at Messiah on February 11, 2012 from 9am-3pm in the Activity Room. If you would like to hear more about this project, to have a speaker at your church or to ask any questions, please call for the Faith Community/Parish Nurse at Messiah Lutheran, 237-6770.]

» Download: God in Full View Nov 2011

God in Full View!