Date: Fri 08-May-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

church-work-camp-West-Virginia

Full Text:

Raising Funds For Work-Camp Mission

(with photo)

Fifty-eight high school students from Newtown are getting ready to take part

in a week-long work-camp mission to help renovate and repair the homes of

elderly, low-income and disabled residents of St Mary's, West Virginia.

The student volunteers are from four Newtown churches: Trinity Episcopal,

Newtown Congregational, St Rose of Lima, and Christ the King Lutheran.

To help defray some of the cost of the trip, the students will conduct their

second annual flower and cookbook sale in front of Trinity Church and St Rose

Church this weekend.

During the Whistle Stop Work Camp, which begins June 27, the students will

repair, paint and weatherize homes, and through their work and daily

interaction with the residents of St Mary's, will gain insight into the lives

of people less fortunate and have experiences that can be life-changing.

The Newtown students will join forces with several hundred young people

representing many churches from across the United States and Canada. The work

camp will provide a unique opportunity for young people to show their faith by

working together to help others. As one of last year's campers said, "Work

camp is a wonderful experience. It gives you a chance to get to know your

relationship with God through helping others."

Even though each volunteer has been required to pay to attend work camp, there

are additional expenses. To raise funds, the students will host this weekend's

plant sale, which will feature hanging baskets, flats, and potted plants. Also

on sale will be a cookbook entitled The Book of Recipes: A Collection From

Parishioners of Newtown Congregational Church and Trinity Episcopal Church,

Spring 1998. The book is dedicated to the ministries of Trinity's Pastoral

Care Meals Ministry teams and Newtown Congregational Church's Meals Teams.

The flower and cookbook sale will be on the front lawn of Trinity Church from

8 am to 2 pm on Saturday, May 9, and from 8:30 am to noon on Sunday, May 10.

The sale also will take place in front of St Rose on Saturday only, from 11 am

to 2 pm.

The organizers also are seeking help from local businesses, professionals and

friends. Anyone who would like to help these young volunteers pursue their

mission may mail a contribution to Trinity Church, 36 Main Street, Newtown

06470. Checks should be made payable to Trinity (Work Camp).

The youths who are participating include Sarah Adams-Shepherd, Cuyler Bryant,

Whitney Cross, Amanda Cruz, Kaitlin and James Dunseith, Dierdre Dougherty,

Stephen Dukenski, Erin Dudley, Ryan Eberts, Cannon and Kyle Jones, Jenna and

Lindsay Kelkres, Shawna King, Allison Lindquist, Kate Macknight, Dan and Scott

Maxwell, Chris McNeil, Katie Miller, Hallie Pierce, Helene Powers, Lisa

Rodriguez, Rachel Romanelli, Shannon Rouse, Ken Seferi, Cassie Shewmaker.

Also, Ben Smith, Catherine and Chris Symes, Martha Tepas, Maggie and Steve

Tomasiewicz, Russ Vanscotter, Grant and Jonathan Werbeck, Karina and Tiffany

Wolfe, Kendall Zimmerman, Cassie Gagaglio, Jacki Barresi, Joe Blanchard,

Jessica Davis, Tim Gordan.

Also, Melissa Henry, Jessica Kovatch, Kara Kunst, Jacki and Nicki La Chapelle,

Alyssa Lacouture, Chelsea Leaman, Jodi and Kacey Miklaszewski, Kate Morrissey,

Tracy Mulholland, Tyler Stowell and Spencer Swain.

The adult chaperones will include the Rev Kathleen Adams-Shepard, Dick

Cogswell, Jim Miller, Judy Pierce, Jim Rodriguez, Karen Romanelli, Ana

Streegan, Curt Symes, Mary Tomasiewicz, Arlene Ubanski, Ron Davis, Steve

Gordon, and Eva Vantroy.

Nancy Edwards Cogswell will be the medical coordinator, Larry Coleman,

troubleshooter, and Lynn Christner, office volunteer.