Turning plastic into purpose – join the Mat Makers!
Looking for a meaningful way to spend an hour on Sunday morning? Grab a cup of coffee and join us between worship services all summer long for Mat Makers!
We are gathering in the Parlor at 9:30 for a casual, drop-in service project with a massive impact. Together, we are taking ordinary plastic shopping bags and weaving them into durable, cushioned, and weather-resistant sleeping mats for our unhoused neighbors.
No crafting or weaving experience? No problem at all! This is a true team effort, and there is a job for everyone. You can help by:
- Flattening and folding bags
- Cutting bags into strips
- Looping strips together to create “plarn” (plastic yarn)
- Weaving the mats on our loom. (We’ll show you how!)
Whether you can stay for five minutes to prep a few bags or the whole hour to weave, your presence makes a difference. Come chat, connect, and help us turn plastic into blessings.
How You Can Help Right Now:
Donate Your Bags: We need a steady supply of clean, dry plastic grocery bags! Drop your stash off in the donation bin located on the first floor.
Flatten Bags at Home: Help us get a jump start by flattening your bags at home. Make sure bags are empty and dry. Small holes are fine.
Schedule a Mat Maker Event with your School or Community Group: Do you lead a Scout Troop? Part of a book club or service group? Want to get together with neighbors or family to do some good? Looking for a services project? We have a Loom ready to travel! Schedule your weaving event!
Surround Us in Prayer: Lift up a prayer for the folks who volunteer and the people that this project will serve.
For more information, to get involved, and to learn about other ways to help talk to Maria Shurik. Contact the church office to get in touch with her!
This creative re-purposing is happening right here at Brecksville UMC and in churches all over America. You can be part of turning plastic grocery bags into sleeping mats that protect people from the cold, hard ground! Pictured above are mat makers from our church, Mentor UMC, Hudson UMC, churches in Iowa and Illinois and around the connection.