POMARIA — A group of 21 volunteers from Pomaria traveled to Georgetown on July 8 to begin a week of community service projects. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Pomaria, partnered with Trinity Lutheran Church, Georgetown, to make this experience happen for a group of young people and adults.

“Loving God, Growing Disciples, Helping Our Neighbors” is part of the mission of Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

“Being a small congregation, we decided to see if we could partner with another congregation to give our youth an experience that would help them better understand our mission as people of God, and what it means to be a disciple,” said Pastor Art Hallman.

Pete Johnson served as the coordinator of the work crews once the projects were identified.

Since Hallman was familiar with Trinity, he contacted members Donna and T-Ann Dorn and Pastor Greg Martin to see if there was interest at their level. Trinity made their facilities available for housing the group. They also volunteered to provide morning and evening meals.

“Everybody at Trinity was excited about the project and volunteered to do everything that we asked of them. Our hope is that other people in the community will see what can be done when we work together,” T-Ann Dorn said.

Missions can take many different forms in very diverse places; however, the purpose of missions is basically the same: helping neighbors in need. Leaders from both congregations planned a week of activities to include painting the exterior of a house and outdoor furniture, cleaning up debris, doing yard work, dismantling a garage, repairing steps and building a fence.

“The whole experience was awesome. Helping somebody else is a good feeling. All the people were so nice to us. I would definitely do it again,” said Will Johnson, volunteer.

“The week wasn’t so much what we did that was special, but about seeing the faces of those people that we helped. The smiles and tears were special rewards for us,” said Savie Goodman.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church partnered with Trinity Lutheran Church in Georgetown for a week of mission work.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_IMG_5521.jpgBethlehem Lutheran Church partnered with Trinity Lutheran Church in Georgetown for a week of mission work. Courtesy photo

The teams worked together to make repairs such as painting the exterior of houses and outdoor furniture.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_IMG_5608.jpgThe teams worked together to make repairs such as painting the exterior of houses and outdoor furniture. Courtesy photo

A group working together to clean up debris.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_IMG_5561.jpgA group working together to clean up debris. Courtesy photo

Bethlehem and Trinity participants pose for a group picture.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_IMG_5547.jpgBethlehem and Trinity participants pose for a group picture. Courtesy photo

Staff Report