The Needles Mission Club of the First Congregational Church of Spencerport, UCC began in 2009. At first, they met as a group once a month and socialized while they knitted (or just chatted), at times giving lessons to newcomers. Sometimes the group saw consistent faces, other times people drifted in and out, and the group always had friends who participated from home. At times there have even been mystery contributors, where a knitted square or blanket just appears at church. While the club has lost some of their original gang, they are still using Elaine Hay’s yarn stash.
As times evolved, the monthly gatherings ended, and folks did what they could at home. At first, there were only knitters, then crocheters joined, and sometimes a quilter or sewer would contribute as well (hence the name “Needles” – it doesn’t matter what kind). The primary product was always lap robes/blankets; hats were added in 2020 during the pandemic (the lockdown definitely encouraged greater productivity in 2020 and 2021).
The club has never had more than six or seven members at any one time, each contributing in her own way – knitter, crocheter, and sewer (and delivery driver). But from this modest group has come amazing things over the past 15 years.
Since 2009, Needles Mission Club has donated 742 blankets and 158 hats, plus an assortment of other knitted items (shawls, baby clothes, baptismal hats, etc.). Recipients have been primarily the Wilmot Cancer Center, Roswell Cancer Center, and Spencerport dialysis center, but also the Batavia VA, a Girl Scout Gold badge project, and others, as well as individual patients that were church members and family and friends of the church. Club members plan to proudly continue their mission.
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