Travel Day and Day 1 Mission Trip

A wonderful group came out for the send-of Saturday, then the team picked up Pastor Gwyneth in Merrimac, and met the Dunn family in Wilmington. We worshipped Sunday at Cornerstone Baptist Church for 3 hours which was amazing!  Monday was our first day working at Camp Freedom. To view more photos go to the Travel and Day 1 Photo Album as well as some send-off photos by Art Tordoff.

More Day 2 and 3 Photos

More Day 2 and 3 photos

Camp Freedom Update

We have been fortunate that the weather has been in the 80s, much cooler than last year. The Camp Format was the much the same as last year so the fact that our work group consisted of mostly camp 'veterans' made the transition very easy. We each went with a team leader or class leader and could help out right away. During meal times we helped out passing out food and cleaning up after meals. We would break down the tables and clean up the dining room after each meal freeing the leaders and teachers from those tasks.

Our work details were even more varied than last year. There was the usual bulk mailing and assisting around the office where necessary. There was no work in the Sumac problem areas. This year our projects included lawn mowing, weeding, trimming trees and shrubs. Other opportunities included moving furniture and repairing wheelbarrows. Fred started training on some of the Computer related tasks that Gwyneth and Jamie were doing(such as updating the blog) and is training for Mission Trip Administration.

We are Chaperoning a field trip this afternoon to a Potato Chip factory and a Zoo today and taking a tour of Wilmington and all the Urban Promise Centers tomorrow. We are hosting a Pizza Party for the Staff and Street leaders tomorrow night.

There has been a Gospel Band practicing next door to our house from 7PM to 9PM several nights a week this year and last year. It has been enjoyable just listening from next door, we were invited over so stopped in on Rehearsal. We had a wonderful time and thanked them for sharing their talents.

See Photo Album

Day 2 and 3 Mission Trip

We are having a great time in Wilmington, working and serving God.

Here's day 2 and 3 Mission Trip Photos:

Travel Day and Day 1 at Urban Promise

The team got here safely, we had a BBQ and Worship with the Interns and Staff. Day 1 went well, met old friends and we are making new ones.

 

View Day 1 Photos here

 

 

Peoples In Transition

Since early in May the members of Peoples United Methodist Church in South Portland have known that our present pastors, Gwyneth and Jamie Arrison and their family would be moving to serve in Merrimacport and Amesbury, Massachusetts after 6 full years with us. It is always with mixed emotions that the pastors as well as the congregation experience this kind of change. It is a practice of the Methodist church that pastors are considered “Itinerant” and are expected to move to new placements. Having been a part of the Peoples family since 1948, this will be my sixteenth change. Some of those changes have taken place over a short time while some have been more lengthy. Five to seven years seems to be about the average. During the Arrison years we have experienced marked growth in the Sunday school experience, changes in communicative methods both among parishioners and in church services, and have continued to maintain a number of previously developed ministries. The initiation of a more diversified missions program has also been a significant part of Peoples’ life especially with the advent of the Urban Promise connection.

While we have the Arrisons to thank for helping in the initiation of some of these programs, it is still the strength of the church members who carry out programs with their time, talent and financial contributions.
On Sunday, June 19, the Staff Parish Committee prepared a celebration for the Arrisons at the close of church service, in Ellis Hall. Most of the church congregation on this date stayed for the celebration and a chance to thank the Arrisons one more time for their time shared with us. A good time was had by all sharing stories with each other. You can view the Arrison Farewell Photo Album here.