The First United Methodist Church of Laurel
Skip Navigation
 
 

Mission Trip to Laurel Mississippi

First UMC undertook a two-fold mission project July 10-24, 2006 to assist with the aftermath of hurricane Katrina in Laurel, MS (the “sister city” to Laurel, MD.) Our own Pastor, Dennis rode a bicycle to Mississippi and meet up with a team of our youth and adults in Mississippi.

Additional information is provided in the articles linked below. They are reprinted from the First UMC Revelations newsletters.

There has also been a certain amount of interest from the press. The Laurel Leader-Call in Laurel, Mississippi has printed a number of stories:

The Laurel Gazzette published:

Riding for Roofs (Follow the Ride)

Pastor Dennis Rides for Roofs

First, Pastor Dennis rode a bicycle from Laurel, MD, to Laurel, MS. The ride was designed to raise awareness of the need and unite communities across the miles and raise funds for the mission trip and repairs to houses in Laurel, Mississippi. Pastor Dennis left Laurel Maryland on July 10 and arrived in Laurel Mississippi on July 22. Pastor Dennis was supported by one or two people (depending on the stop) in a follow car meeting up with him each night. These follow team members included Jim and Nancy Welsh and Wayne and Wink Rouse.

Camp Noah and Repair Team

The team is ready to go

Second, teams in Mississippi and here underwent training that prepared us to lead a four day, day-long Vacation Bible School using the “Camp Noah” program. This day camp is designed to help children who have been through a traumatic disaster (hurricane, flood, etc.) to help them confront and, in healthy ways, process their fear, anger, and grief. The format uses arts and crafts and Bible-based teaching to provide a nonthreatening atmosphere for children to work through their experiences. Some members of the team also made much needed repairs on damaged homes.

Participating on those teams were Artie and Eva Mae Black, Dale and Becky Boeckman, Andrea Chapa, Jean Dean, Brandon Frazee, Kali Offenbacher, Tom, Essie, Tommy and Lizzie Jarrell, Susan and JD Mickesh, Roland and Ann Marie Miller, Louise and Sam Reynells, Lavonne Swank, Peggy and Jessica Sweitzer, and Dan and Linda Wright.

These teams left on July 14 and arrived in Mississippi July 15. They left Mississippi on July 21 and arrived home on July 22. Six members of the 23 member team traveled by van and truck pulling a trailer. The rest traveled by train.

Participate

You are encouraged to follow the mission trip progress across the country. If you wish to contribute to the project, make checks payable to “First UMC“ and include “Laurel MS Mission” in the memo field. Checks may be mailed to First UMC, 424 Main Street, Laurel, MD 20707 or delivered in person.