Welcome to CHICS, a dynamic mission group where your Senior Moment! becomes Significant Movements! They are a community of vibrant, purpose-driven women who believe that life doesn’t slow down with age -- it evolves.
Rooted in creativity, fueled by camaraderie, and guided by genuine caring, CHICS is more than a group; it is a ‘sisterhood’ on a mission. Crafting with purpose, serving with heart, and laughing through life’s changes together, CHICS exists to uplift one another while making meaningful contributions to the church, community, and world.
Come with me today to meet CHICS (Creative Hands in Christ’s Service), a ministry of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Statesboro. CHICS is a vibrant and purpose-filled community group answering the call to meet both local and global needs through creativity, compassion, and commitment.
CHICS is an inspired continuation of a very active ‘sewing’ group that dates back more than half a century. The focus of the original sewing and craft group was to enjoy time together and create really beautiful Christmas ornaments, home decor, and aprons, as well as to sell at a fall bazaar to raise funds for the needs within the greater church community.
This was a very resourceful and artistically talented group. After the original group became inactive due to the ‘aging’ process, their leftovers were stored for a decade or more till CHICS became active again. That brings us to present!
In 2016, the St. Matthew sewing group was aware of the needs of the community and changed their focus to minister to the needs of both the community and the mission efforts of fellow Christians in need in other countries.
"We hope to help parishioners get to know other parishioners and community members in a personal way by working together and creating items that are needed for Seniors and the medical missionaries,” shared the CHICS leaders.
Although much of the actual sewing and crafting is done individually at home, CHICS regularly gathers for workdays at St. Matthew’s, fostering a spirit of community and collaboration. These gatherings are not limited to sewing; they include programs and activities and a welcome space for ‘non-sewing’ women.
During the summer months, CHICS meets every other Friday to tie blankets that will be donated to those in need for the cold months ahead. These sessions are moments of fellowship and connection.
“Our workdays carry an aura of shared creativity, camaraderie, and faith,” added Lue Healy, a CHICS member. “They give us a chance to truly get to know one another, not just through working together, but also by sharing meals, playing cards, and praying side by side.”
CHICS project work days are dependent upon the needs of the community. They have produced new layette bags and caps, burial garments and blankets for premature infants for the Children's Hospital of Atlanta; fidget mats for Hospice and Memory Care nursing home patients; face masks for the Statesboro community and EGRMC; fabric Christmas bags, blankets, and armchair holders for homebound parishioners; blankets for our homeless shelter and dialysis centers; tag blankets and caps to match for gift bags for Choices of the Heart and Foundations Resource Center for expectant mothers; and gift bags for ‘Christmas Boxes of Joy’ for tropical climates.
They extend a heartfelt invitation to all! Bring your talents: sewing, crocheting, knitting, cutting, organizing, or simply showing up with a willing heart. CHICS welcomes everyone who wants to be part of something meaningful. "We are a community of helpers, united locally and beyond!"
For more information, email Lue Healy at [email protected], Susan Babot at [email protected], or Tammie Nichols at [email protected].
Come, the door is open, make new friends, use your talents, this is YOUR time!
