We'll Miss You, Frances Bains!
On a particular Sunday in the Fall of 2008, there appeared a notice in the Church bulletin seeking interest in starting a Heart Pillow Ministry here at AHUMC. Frances Bains wrote that notice, and soon after, ten or so enthusiastic folks met to learn about making Heart Pillows for patients recovering from cardiac surgery for Medical Center Main Methodist Hospital.
In the last thirteen years, under Frances's very able direction and love, we have grown to a group of 26-28 volunteers who make heart-shaped pillows in many sizes. Not only do these pillows serve the needs of heart patients at two hospitals, but they also appear in gift bags at Baptisms and in the mail to folks who have lost a loved one. They have also made their way to BAMC Wounded Warriors and their families and children at Methodist Children's Hospital. Five of the Heart Pillow Ladies even answered the call for masks early in the COVID-19 Pandemic—100 masks were made for a local Health Clinic.
We have Frances to thank for starting this wonderful ministry and for all she has done to further the success of our long-standing Thursday Lunch Bunch. She joined Lunch Bunch, first as a guest, then as a contributor to the 'business' part of the Lunch Bunch by sharing her knowledge of finance and banking. She has been serving on the governing committee for several years. Frances was also instrumental in organizing the Lunch Bunch Farewell Luncheon for Pastor David McNitzky and his wife, Pam. Celebrations like "Holiday Delight" stand out with Christmas magic and festive table settings in which Frances participated and with extraordinary excitement. This made Thursday Lunch Bunch fun for all of "The Bunch" and all our weekly guests! Frances helped make sure the "Ministry Partners" or volunteers were safe during the pandemic as we delivered bagged lunches to our faithful guests at our Curbside To-Go Lunch Bunch.
"…being together and fulfilling our mission By Love, Serve One Another" Galatians 5:13.
With all these generous and loving contributions to these ministries of our church, we can certainly see how much Frances will truly be missed!! We wish her the best as she moves to the Abilene area to be near her large family.
-By Donna Murphy-
