The First United Methodist Church in Chester made a donation of approximately 50 blankets to Chester first responders on Nov. 25.
The presentation was made during the regular morning worship service with Chester police officers Jeff Hammel and Joe Crain accepting the blankets on behalf of the departments.
Making the presentation, following a brief prayer to bless and consecrate the blankets, was Pastor Faye Edmaiston.
The idea to collect the blankets came from the FUMC Worship Committee, acting on a challenge from the Bishop to conduct a missions project prior to Jan. 1 that would help their community.
Bishop Frank Beard challenged the church to collect and distribute needed items to a worthy community entity.
"Advertise what you are doing to your congregation, set a realistic goal, invite folks to bring their collected items to church, bless and consecrate the items on the altar, and distribute the items to the entity selected," he instructed.
The church decided to donate blankets to the Chester police and fire department to help victims of fires or crimes.
