Handmade with Heart: A Ministry of Connection

For the past five years, a quiet but powerful ministry has been taking shape in the hands of faithful members of Simsbury United Methodist Church. Through yarn, fabric, needles, and love, they have woven connection and belonging into the lives of hundreds of people across Connecticut.

Donna Motyl and Diane Carlson have devoted countless hours to knitting and crocheting mug cozies for participants in Tea @ 3, For All Ages’ 12-week intergenerational friendship program connecting older adults and college students. Each cozy takes between one and two hours to make, and over the years, Donna and Diane have crafted hundreds. Every stitch carries intention: a prayer, a thought, or simply the desire to brighten someone’s day.

Once the cozies are complete, Carrie Houghton carefully stitches a custom Tea @ 3 label onto each one, turning simple yarn into a gift with a personal touch. The result is something far greater than a cozy - it’s a symbol of care, welcome, and belonging.

Other SUMC members have also shared their talents, creating cozies, adding their own love and care to this ministry of connection. Each contribution, whether a single cozy or many, is part of a larger outpouring of generosity that helps this program thrive.

For both the younger and older participants, receiving a handmade mug cozy in their welcome kit is often a moment of surprise and delight. Many tell us it’s the first time in a long while they’ve received something handmade just for them. That small gesture reminds each person that they are seen, valued, and part of a larger community. And as the weeks unfold, the cozy becomes more than a sleeve for a mug; it becomes a tangible reminder of friendship and connection.

We are deeply grateful to Donna, Diane, Carrie, and the many other SUMC members who have quietly given of their time to support this ministry of connection. Their work reminds us that something as simple as yarn and fabric, when offered in love, can become a vessel for God’s grace.

Simsbury United Methodist Church has been a steadfast partner in this work since For All Ages began in 2019. Together, we celebrate how small acts of service - like crafting a cozy - can ripple outward to touch hearts, spark friendships, and build community.

The care, creativity, and generosity of Donna, Diane, Carrie, and so many other SUMC members have touched hundreds of lives through Tea @ 3. What may seem like a small act of knitting or crocheting has become a profound expression of love and belonging for older adults across Connecticut. Every cozy carries with it the reminder that none of us are alone—that we are part of a caring community.

With gratitude, on behalf of everyone at For All Ages,

Deb Bibbins
Founder & CEO

To learn more about Tea @ 3 and how you can be part of building belonging across generations, please visit their website here.