Michigan—Can tying knots help keep a person warm? The ladies at Oakwood Church in Taylor, Mich., certainly seem to think so. These women came together on January 11 with one goal in mind: to make a difference in the lives of children. During this women’s ministries meeting, fleece material was turned into two-sided blankets tied together with small knots around the edges. These blankets were created to cover a specific group of young men and women without homes. They were lovingly made for the New Directions Teen Home in downtown Detroit. As fingers, young and old, flew around the fringes of these warm, fleece blankets, Christian fellowship was enjoyed by all.

Even the children at Oakwood Academy were involved in this project. Students in Lynnette Jefferson’s classroom (grades 4–6 ) decided to use extra material to create more blankets and scarves. Then they helped students in grades 7–10 design cards, which were attached to the blankets to encourage these youth and share the love of Christ with them.

Upon arriving at New Directions to deliver the handmade gifts, the women were unsure of how they would be received. Many of the youth who live there have had very unfortunate previous home lives, abuse, and more. The group had been warned that this was an especially difficult day for the girls in this building. But that didn’t put a damper on their spirits. As the children filed into the gymnasium, students, church members, and teachers greeted them with smiles, and they quickly made some new friends. The looks on the faces of these children when their names were called to pick up their carefully wrapped gifts have left a lasting impression on the women's minds. They know that such a simple act will help these children know they are loved and that someone cares for them.

The idea for this service project came from Dora Cupp, a long-time member of the Oakwood Church. She explained that she felt a calling to help the children of New Directions, and this was something she knew she could do. Many women commented that this was an especially meaningful women’s ministry project because it was service-orientated. Oakwood’s recent women’s ministries events were also service minded; the ladies created cards for shut-ins, sick, and others. What a blessing it is when God’s church can come together and reach out to blanket the hearts of others.

Sarah Canada, Oakwood Junior Academy K–3 teacher, and Julie Woolf, Oakwood Church women's ministries leader