NORTH FERRISBURGH — Fifteen teens and adults from Addison County went on their seventh United Methodist Action Reach Out Mission by Youth (UMARMY) mission trip to Claremont, N.H. To hear their stories, go to: www.nfumchurch.org and click on the Vimeo video at the bottom of page. Teens and adults who went for their first to seventh time all had a fun and meaningful week July 17-23. Our oldest youth — Daniel Emmell, Megan McIntyre, Sofie Wolak, Elise Martin and Nora Hatch — all had a great time with the most sophisticated construction projects. This year they built multiple sets of stairs for low income and elderly clients who were very appreciative. Our younger youth — Olivia Paine, Jennifer and Lily Steadman, Erich Reitz and Sophie Hatch — did a lot of painting and yard work again for very appreciative clients.
Our youth could not do the projects without the support of the entire North Ferrisburgh, Vergennes and West Addison United Methodist Churches. North Ferrisburgh UMC sent the following adults: Clare Conner, Scott Emmell, Rob McKay, Chris Steadman and Pastor Kim Hornung-Marcy.
We had a total of 58 teens and adults in Claremont from eight churches in Vermont and other n                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            ortheastern states. The Claremont United Methodist, Episcopal and Catholic churches and the local high school provided space for sleeping, eating and programs. Our campers completed thirty-four service projects, and enjoyed worship, singing and games as well.
Thursday night we fed around 120 people as we invited the Mayor of Claremont, the Town Manager and all of our clients to join us for dinner. The Town Council of Claremont declared July 17-23 to be UMARMY week because as the Mayor said, “The news is often so bleak and you bring us hope!” The clients are given an opportunity to share with the whole group what the service has meant to them and they shared things like: “I love all these teens can I keep you?” “I was welcomed by these teens to help with their project and since I was just released from a mental hospital, their friendship and welcome means I now really see my life has a purpose.” “These young people give up their phones for the entire week so they can chat and work with us and I am so excited about how wonderful our future is with these kinds of young people growing up in our midst.” “You gave me back faith and hope.” “It is not easy to accept help from others, but these cheerful young people made it easy.”
Earlier in May we sent two college-age youth, Matt Becker and Hannah Hatch, and one adult, Jeff Becker, to the young adult camp in Amityville, N.Y. The young adult camp did a number of great projects in that area. Matt and Hannah had each done six to seven of the youth camps so we were thrilled they were our first young adult campers this year.
We had a great time with the people of Claremont, N.H., and Amityville, N.Y., and look forward to next year. The young adult camp is offered every May for young adults in college and beyond. The junior high and senior high camp is offered every July.