| Last year, the Women's Ministry department of the Progress Village Church in Tampa, Fla. launched a hat ministry project for the homeless in the surrounding community. The hats were distributed as gifts last Christmas. Based upon the success of last years initiative, the women ministry department is preparing to conduct the hat ministry this Christmas.
Ten women who answered the call to put their creativity to work in God's service. They used a loom,to knit the hats, while some of the other women on the church donated funds to help with the purchase of the materials.
The idea to make these hats spawned from feeding the homeless. As they ministered to the community, the womens ministry polled the church's senior members and found that there was also a need within the church for warm hats too. So, it was agreed that the ladies would make hats for both the homeless and the church seniors.
When they undertook the task, the women had no set expectations for the number of hats they would make. As they began, however, each was encouraged by another as they put their hands to work for those less fortunate than themselves.
This project was such a joy and labor of love, said Cathy Norton, women's ministries director. Wen ever intended this project to be so contagious, but the women just rallied and got the job done. In all, the women made a total of 300 hats; 240 for the homeless and 60 for the senior members of the church. |
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