Every year since 2011, members and friends of our congregation have participated week-long service work, most often away from Vermont but also within our community.
Adult Service Trips
2018 HOUSE MENDERS SERVICE TRIP in Port Arthur, Texas
The Mender Team of nine volunteers departed to Port Arthur Texas on November 11, 2018 for a week of work on houses that were heavily damaged by flooding caused from Hurricane Floyd of the previous year, when 60 inches of rain fell in 3 days. We worked with the UCC Disaster Relief Ministries who were partnering with the South East Texas Community Development Corporation (SET CDC). This was the first time UCC Disaster Relief has partnered with another nonprofit.
SET CDC, an organization run by two very inspirational pastors of a UCC Church in Beaumont, TX. The organization owns 17 housing units, 15 of which were heavily damaged by 4 feet of water. Our team worked on 5 units and did; sheet rock hanging, mudding and taping, sanding, extensive electrical work, door hanging, trim work, counter top installation, roof vent boot replacing, plumbing and a great deal of general clean up. It was an incredible experience in an area that needs a great deal more relief work. The team completed a great deal and it was an emotional departure returning to Vermont with so much more to be done.
Past Adult Service Trips & House Menders projects
On past adult service trips, volunteers worked on projects in New Orleans, Joplin, Missouri and in rural West Virginia to volunteer through Habitat for Humanity. Our church’s House Menders group works on a variety of local service projects. View photos from adult service trips & projects:
- 2016 July, Charter House Challenge, Middlebury, VT
- 2015 October, Adult Service Trip to rural West Virginia
- 2014 May, Adult Service Trip to Joplin, MO
- 2013 March, Adult Service Trip to New Orleans, LA
Youth Service Trips
Each summer, our High School Youth Group participates in a week-long service trip.
2018 YOUTH SERVICE TRIP – During the week of July 29-Aug 4 , our Youth Group and three adult leaders (26 participants in all) volunteered service in Orland, Maine. This trip was organized through the Home organization of Emmaus International. Immediately upon their return, the youth recounted their experience during our August 5th worship service and also view photos from this trip, which are posted on our Facebook page.
Over the past several years, our teens have volunteered in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, the New Jersey shore, Boston, and most recently at the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation in La Plant, South Dakota. View photos from youth service trips:
