Rev. Abigail A. Henrich
Grace Community Boston
For the past five summers Grace has ventured to Maine (near Farmington) to work with an organization called M.A.T.E (Mission at the Eastward)/ North Parish Housing Ministry. I would like to invite your community to consider organizing a mission trip to Maine.
What do you do?
Grace has participated in what I call "rural rehab." Opposed to building a new home, rural rehab focuses on fixing already existing homes. There is no shortage of housing in rural Maine. In fact most people live in homes, but they do not posses the funds to maintain their homes. North Parish Housing has three goals: safer, warmer, and drier. We have built handicap ramps, insulated houses, removed trash (so a toddler could safely play in a yard), shored up rotting walls, and more.
Do you need to be a carpenter?
No! I will confess there are some pretty talented lay carpenters at Grace. But mostly unskilled labors such as myself, willing to roll up my sleeves, can make an enormous impact. MATE has an impressive skilled staff that can teach you how to get a job done. This year I even learned how to install metal flashing on a trailer. I like to refer to myself now as a certified FLASHER!
Is it youth? Adult? Intergenerational?
Everything. Grace has taken groups ranging in ages from 1-68. This is more possible for us b/c we do not sleep on the floor of a church, but instead at the University of Maine at Farmington's dorms. A bunch of us have done summer mission trips for years (like 15+) and are sick of sleeping on floors. It's easier for us to stay in the dorms with kids and old backs, but there are lots of housing options. BTW, you don't have to have a huge group. They take Grace's small group happily year after year!
Why is Abby recommending this?
I have lead mission trips for many years now. I'm not a fan of slick. I don't like “perfectly organized hard core pristine we built a house in a week.” I crave RELATIONSHIPS. And this is what you get in Maine with Ken White and Ed J (I can't spell his last name!). Things DO run smoothly and they ARE well organized, but more importantly Ken and Ed are 100% invested in the lives of the folks they serve and in the surrounding community.
If you want to know more of my personal experience, check out my blog: http://gracecommunityboston.weebly.com/blog/archives/07-2014
Ken White (know to all as Whitey) plans to visit!
If your church would like to know more about this incredible ministry in Maine, Whitey would like to visit this winter in the Boston area. I would be happy to arrange his visit to your church.
Mission has proven year after year to be one of the most powerful, faith enriching, community building, Spirit giving things Grace does. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Grace and Peace, abby
--
Rev. Abigail A. Henrich
Grace Community Boston
an emergent progressive christian community
508.668.6801 or 508.740.2405
www.gracecommunityboston.weebly.com
What do you do?
Grace has participated in what I call "rural rehab." Opposed to building a new home, rural rehab focuses on fixing already existing homes. There is no shortage of housing in rural Maine. In fact most people live in homes, but they do not posses the funds to maintain their homes. North Parish Housing has three goals: safer, warmer, and drier. We have built handicap ramps, insulated houses, removed trash (so a toddler could safely play in a yard), shored up rotting walls, and more.
Do you need to be a carpenter?
No! I will confess there are some pretty talented lay carpenters at Grace. But mostly unskilled labors such as myself, willing to roll up my sleeves, can make an enormous impact. MATE has an impressive skilled staff that can teach you how to get a job done. This year I even learned how to install metal flashing on a trailer. I like to refer to myself now as a certified FLASHER!
Is it youth? Adult? Intergenerational?
Everything. Grace has taken groups ranging in ages from 1-68. This is more possible for us b/c we do not sleep on the floor of a church, but instead at the University of Maine at Farmington's dorms. A bunch of us have done summer mission trips for years (like 15+) and are sick of sleeping on floors. It's easier for us to stay in the dorms with kids and old backs, but there are lots of housing options. BTW, you don't have to have a huge group. They take Grace's small group happily year after year!
Why is Abby recommending this?
I have lead mission trips for many years now. I'm not a fan of slick. I don't like “perfectly organized hard core pristine we built a house in a week.” I crave RELATIONSHIPS. And this is what you get in Maine with Ken White and Ed J (I can't spell his last name!). Things DO run smoothly and they ARE well organized, but more importantly Ken and Ed are 100% invested in the lives of the folks they serve and in the surrounding community.
If you want to know more of my personal experience, check out my blog: http://gracecommunityboston.weebly.com/blog/archives/07-2014
Ken White (know to all as Whitey) plans to visit!
If your church would like to know more about this incredible ministry in Maine, Whitey would like to visit this winter in the Boston area. I would be happy to arrange his visit to your church.
Mission has proven year after year to be one of the most powerful, faith enriching, community building, Spirit giving things Grace does. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Grace and Peace, abby
--
Rev. Abigail A. Henrich
Grace Community Boston
an emergent progressive christian community
508.668.6801 or 508.740.2405
www.gracecommunityboston.weebly.com