ADULT MISSION TRIP - SPRING 2025
During the week of May 11 - May 16 volunteers from Ottawa are invited to join on a mission of rebuilding and restoration in Greenfield, IA.
An orientation meeting will take place on Sunday, March 16, at noon, in the Fellowship Hall at First UMC Ottawa. If you are interested in participating on the trip but unable to make the orientation meeting, please contact the church office. See below for more information:
What: Adult Mission Trip to engage in rebuilding and recovery projects, generally remodeling type work – framing, drywall, paint, flooring, trim and etc. for storm-damaged buildings. May include outdoor cleanup and landscaping, and/or light demolition. Will definitely include compassionate relationship building with local residents as representatives of Christ.
Where: Greenfield, Iowa, just over 300 miles due west of Ottawa (about 5 hours by car). We will have accommodations at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, Iowa, about 5 miles west of Greenfield. They can house up to 40 people, have a full kitchen, and a UMC shower trailer with tankless hot water will be available.
When: Sunday, May 11 (Mother’s Day) through Friday, May 16. Typically we depart early Sunday afternoon (12-1, i.e. after brunch) to arrive at the host site by 6-7 pm in order to get preliminary work teams introduced and strategy set for day 1 projects. Monday-Thursday are “full” workdays, typically running about 8 am to 4 pm. Friday is generally held in reserve as a planned half-day, depending on project completion. Participants can expect to be back home Friday evening.
Who: the trip is open to adults of all ages. No construction skills or previous mission experience are required, but participants should be able to safely engage in moderately strenuous physical activity (with reasonable breaks) for 6-8 hours per day over four and a half days, be eager to serve with an open and humble heart, be flexible with regard to project assignments, and teachable with regard to standards and practices of construction. Participants will serve alongside missioners from several other United Methodist churches in Northern Illinois (Freeport UMC, 1st UMC Belvidere, Libertyville UMC, so far). Work crews are organized and led by trip and team leaders with previous mission experience and construction skills.
Why: disciples of Christ are called to participate in the restoration of the world. On May 21, 2024, an EF4 tornado (sustained winds of 185 mph) devasted the town of Greenfield. Our service builds us as disciples and incarnates God’s love to those in need.
What Else: the cost of the trip is $250 per person, and partial or full scholarships are available to help as needed. All meals are provided. Transportation to Greenfield is your responsibility, but combined travel options are being coordinated through the participating church offices and support for fuel costs may be available as well. Do not let finances be the barrier to participation.
All persons interested in participating are invited to attend an orientation/Q&A session at noon on March 16th at First UMC in Ottawa, 100 W. Jefferson St.
Please RSVP by 9 AM, Monday, March 10 if you plan to attend the orientation. If you're interested in joining us, but can't attend the orientation, please reach out to the church office or Pastor Seamus directly with your contact information so that we can keep you updated with trip details.
During the week of May 11 - May 16 volunteers from Ottawa are invited to join on a mission of rebuilding and restoration in Greenfield, IA.
An orientation meeting will take place on Sunday, March 16, at noon, in the Fellowship Hall at First UMC Ottawa. If you are interested in participating on the trip but unable to make the orientation meeting, please contact the church office. See below for more information:
What: Adult Mission Trip to engage in rebuilding and recovery projects, generally remodeling type work – framing, drywall, paint, flooring, trim and etc. for storm-damaged buildings. May include outdoor cleanup and landscaping, and/or light demolition. Will definitely include compassionate relationship building with local residents as representatives of Christ.
Where: Greenfield, Iowa, just over 300 miles due west of Ottawa (about 5 hours by car). We will have accommodations at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, Iowa, about 5 miles west of Greenfield. They can house up to 40 people, have a full kitchen, and a UMC shower trailer with tankless hot water will be available.
When: Sunday, May 11 (Mother’s Day) through Friday, May 16. Typically we depart early Sunday afternoon (12-1, i.e. after brunch) to arrive at the host site by 6-7 pm in order to get preliminary work teams introduced and strategy set for day 1 projects. Monday-Thursday are “full” workdays, typically running about 8 am to 4 pm. Friday is generally held in reserve as a planned half-day, depending on project completion. Participants can expect to be back home Friday evening.
Who: the trip is open to adults of all ages. No construction skills or previous mission experience are required, but participants should be able to safely engage in moderately strenuous physical activity (with reasonable breaks) for 6-8 hours per day over four and a half days, be eager to serve with an open and humble heart, be flexible with regard to project assignments, and teachable with regard to standards and practices of construction. Participants will serve alongside missioners from several other United Methodist churches in Northern Illinois (Freeport UMC, 1st UMC Belvidere, Libertyville UMC, so far). Work crews are organized and led by trip and team leaders with previous mission experience and construction skills.
Why: disciples of Christ are called to participate in the restoration of the world. On May 21, 2024, an EF4 tornado (sustained winds of 185 mph) devasted the town of Greenfield. Our service builds us as disciples and incarnates God’s love to those in need.
What Else: the cost of the trip is $250 per person, and partial or full scholarships are available to help as needed. All meals are provided. Transportation to Greenfield is your responsibility, but combined travel options are being coordinated through the participating church offices and support for fuel costs may be available as well. Do not let finances be the barrier to participation.
All persons interested in participating are invited to attend an orientation/Q&A session at noon on March 16th at First UMC in Ottawa, 100 W. Jefferson St.
Please RSVP by 9 AM, Monday, March 10 if you plan to attend the orientation. If you're interested in joining us, but can't attend the orientation, please reach out to the church office or Pastor Seamus directly with your contact information so that we can keep you updated with trip details.
Office HoursM-F: 9am - 1pm
Closed Thursdays |
Telephone(815) 433-1060
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Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.