Several hundred handmade Project Linus blankets will be dedicated during the Sunday morning service at the Rochester First United Methodist Church on November 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. The church is located at 34 South Main Street in downtown Rochester. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The Rochester First United Methodist Church’s involvement in blanket making began in the early 1980s, when the United Methodist Women invited the creator of ABC Quilts to speak at one of their monthly gatherings. Following that presentation, the women began making quilts for babies with AIDS in Boston hospitals, continuing their efforts until the local ABC Quilts chapter disbanded.

After being referred to the Seacoast Chapter of Project Linus, the group’s mission expanded. Project Linus provides handmade blankets to comfort children—from birth to age 18—who are in need of warmth and security. In addition to quilts, the group began making fleece blankets and afghans in a wider range of sizes.

The ministry has since grown to include community members and friends of the church. While most participants create blankets in their homes, many gather at the church for supplies, crafting, and fellowship on Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. All are welcome to join, and no experience is necessary. Materials, equipment, and guidance are provided.

Three times each year, the completed blankets are spread throughout the church sanctuary. During the Sunday morning service, prayers are offered for both the creators and the children who will receive the blankets. In 2024 alone, the group created and dedicated more than 1,000 blankets, which were distributed through the Seacoast Chapter of Project Linus to hospitals and service organizations in Strafford and Rockingham counties.

The next dedication service will take place on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at the Rochester First United Methodist Church. All are welcome to attend.