Posts Tagged ‘#ASPWISE’

Serving Our Country: #ASPWISE Working Hard on July 4th

Posted: July 4, 2014 in Youth & Family Ministry
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#ASP2014 Links

PHOTO ALBUM / Travel Day / New River Retreat / Worship at River & Arrival Day / Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Affirmations

 

Team Simbo gets their first sheet of tin on the roof!

Team Simbo gets their first sheet of tin on the roof!

It’s the Fourth of July and the weather couldn’t have been more beautiful as I set out with Team Simbo for our final day of work on the roof. The temperature was down, humidity was gone. There was a lot of work to be done, but the team was glad to start putting on the tin roofing. Two full sheets of tin were installed along with the end cap. The team cleared a great deal of construction debris that had gathered and also made sure the roof was protected from any rain that might come and ready for next week’s team to succeed.

Team Prince Edward headed to their final work day after a truly amazing Thursday night. They were invited by the family they are helping to come to a holiday celebration in Cleveland, VA. There was Bluegrass and Gospel music being played by local musicians along with fireworks. The best part was that the team members were treated like extended family who just came home: they were taken around and introduced to most everyone in the town. It was Appalachian hospitality at its finest! Today, they were glad to see their kitchen project come to completion. They also forged a strong connection with the family they were helping. Before leaving today, the team was asked to sign their names on an extra floor tile that the family wants to keep in their living room.

Team Agua was excited to see their work come to a satisfying conclusion. The ceiling was finished and the team was able to return the room to the way that the woman they are helping wants it: filled with dolls, bric-a-brac, and meaningful memories from over 92 years. The team shared goodbyes with the woman they helped and it was clear that everyone was changed by the work of this week.

Team Simbo at the end of their work week.

Team Simbo at the end of their work week.

After dinner, the entire ASP center gathered and every individual took a turn sharing their “God moments” or meaningful insights on the week. The discussion took nearly two hours, but everyone was engaged throughout and truly blessed to hear all of the ways that God had been working this week. I was so very impressed and proud of what our youth participants had to share. The adult leaders, too, shared heartfelt reflections on how we were impacted.

As the sun was setting, I gathered the St. Luke team outside and told every single one of them what I think of them. Then we rushed off to enjoy the local fireworks display, a last stop for ice cream and one last hour of games before hitting the air mattresses. Tomorrow morning we drive!

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#ASP2014 Affirmations

Posted: July 4, 2014 in Uncategorized, Youth & Family Ministry
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The "Warm Fuzzies" Wall at #ASPWISE

The “Warm Fuzzies” Wall at #ASPWISE

#ASP2014 Links

PHOTO ALBUM / Travel Day / New River Retreat / Worship at River & Arrival Day / Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Affirmations

 

ASP has a tradition called “The Warm & Fuzzies Wall.” Volunteers decorate a brown paper bag with their name on it. Throughout the week, everyone is encouraged to write down notes of affirmation and encouragement and place them in the bags. I decided that my handwriting is too sloppy for handwritten notes. More importantly, I wanted to share these affirmations not just in person, but with everyone. I want the whole world to know what an incredible group God brought together to make this week an amazing blessing and a wild success! What is written below is what I shared in person with each team member after our final day of service in Wise County, VA.

Team Simbo
Kaylin B.

Kaylin B.

Kaylin B. – You jumped right in on the first day without hesitating to do the hardest work that needed to be done, and just kept going! Even when you got worn down, you kept a great attitude and were smart enough to take a rest and then bounce back up and keep on going. Your Kan Jam skills are also not to be denied! Thank you!

 

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Emily L.

Emily L. – It was so much fun to watch you on your first ASP trip. You worked hard. You took time to connect with the children next door to your work site. I also thought you gave a great response during evening gathering. Your description of poverty being a cycle was so smart and really showed that you are working to understand and respond to the needs of your neighbors. Thank you for coming to ASP!

 

 

IMG_3980Gabe H. – Thank you for bringing all of your energy and style to ASP, especially during the World Cup! I was impressed with how well you stepped in and did whatever job you were asked to do. You’re a lot of fun to be around and everybody knows it.

 

Mason M.

Mason M.

Mason M. – You were such a smart worker this week. It was great to see how easily you could take instructions and take the lead on getting a task done that kept the job moving. You did a great job last year of showing excitement for ASP and now you have two different experiences that will make you even better at future projects and getting other people to give ASP a try. You also know how to take a wiffle ball to the head like a champ! Thank you.

 

Claire L.

Claire L.

Claire L. – I was delighted and surprised when you signed up for this trip. It was clear that you were stepping out of what you (and all of us) are used to, but also that you were ready and excited for the challenge! Way to go climbing up on the roof and running the chop saw! Throughout the week you showed an interest in better understanding the people of Appalachia as well as the reality of the struggle many people face. Thank you for taking this week to let your light shine. Detroit, here we come!

 

Steve M.

Steve M.

 

Steve M. – Thank you for your dedication and commitment to doing the best possible job in terms of both working on the house and in having a lasting impact on all of the trip participants. You were a work horse on a truly challenging project. You bring a great combination of determined focus and gentleness that shined through the way you equipped your team, wrestled with your project and helped lead this trip.

 Team Agua
Mike S.

Mike S.

Mike S. – You’re a great leader because you’re always ready to help where needed and people like to be around you. You didn’t hesitate to join in dancing with our new local friends, even though it was something new. Just like last year, playing music together was also a blast! It’s really clear that ASP is a part of who you are; I’m glad you’re thinking about being on staff. You’ve got great questions and thoughts about God and faith, too. Thank you!

 

Amani H.

Amani H.

Amani H. – You did such a great job this year as one of our returning veterans. You were a leader and offered some really important thoughts when your group was discussing God moments and how our faith is being shaped this week. You were also full of laughter at all the right times this week. Thank you for being such a great member of the group.

 

Tommy S.

Tommy S.

Tommy S. – I’m really glad you came to ASP this year. It’s been great getting to know you better and seeing how quickly and naturally you jumped right into your team and the work at your site. I loved hearing you reflect and share during our faith discussions. I’m also glad you took time to look into the possibility of ASP staff.

 

Natalie M.

Natalie M.

Natalie M. – Just like last year, you were always happy to be helping out in whatever part of the job needed to be done. I’m glad you are thinking about ASP staff. It was so great to see you there on Thursday when I went through border patrol with my team. It looked like you belonged there! Great job!

 

Miranda M.

Miranda M.

Miranda M. – I was impressed all week long by how you constantly paid attention. You were thinking through tasks and the job as well as the reality that people in Appalachia face every day. If the opportunity arises, you will be an awesome ASP staff person. Thank you!

 

Dave W.

Dave W.

Dave W. – Thank you for being willing to step out of your comfort zone and lead a project. You used your lack of expertise as a way to pull your team members into figuring out solutions together. It was almost like you were bluffing to get the team to rise to the occasion. Either way, it worked and the team was equipped to serve. Great job finding New River’s Edge for us, it was an absolutely fantastic experience.

 

Kim S.

Kim S.

Kim S. – I’m glad I ended up able to come on this trip, but it is absolutely clear that our group had not only a trip leader, but also a spiritual leader. Thank you for pouring your heart and soul into this group, this trip, and into connecting with the woman your team served this week. You sparked faith discussions at the river and during the week that are some of my favorite “God sightings” this week. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

 Team Prince Edward
Sam M.

Sam M.

Sam M. – You really came back as an experienced ASP veteran this year! It was cool to see how confident you were about jumping into jobs at the worksite. It’s clear that you will really be a leader when you come back again. Great job! Thank you!

 

Tommy W.

Tommy W.

Tommy W. – Thank you for keeping everyone smiling and always being ready to jump in to lend a hand. Your friendliness really made our group stronger and helped us connect with the Connecticut crew, too.

 

Harrison C.

Harrison C.

Harrison C. – It took a lot of commitment (and a great mom) to drive all the way down yourself in order to be a part of ASP. You brought a fun attitude and a good team spirit to your team and to the whole trip. Thank you!

 

 

Gillian H.

Gillian H.

Gillian H. – Again you proved yourself ready to take on any job. Extra bonus points for bringing Shannon along to make our trip even better. I definitely can imagine you in ASP overalls driving a big white truck and getting everyone excited to serve.

 

Shannon R.

Shannon R.

Shannon R. – You were a great part of the group! You were always hard at work and ready to do whatever job came up. I hope that St. Luke will get really good at inviting friends to serve at ASP. Someday we will look back and say “Shannon was the first!”

 

John & Elizabeth M.

John & Elizabeth M.

Elizabeth M. – Thank you for being constantly at work behind the scenes to make this week unfold so wonderfully. You took pictures, you handled paperwork, you made sure your team had everything they needed not just to learn and complete their tasks, but to also have a pleasant and rewarding experience.
John M. – You’ll always be too friendly to be given full credit for your sarcastic wit. Thank you for leading your group into their work in a way that was organized and understood by everyone with a constant atmosphere of relaxed fun and comradery. As always, you stepped in everywhere to lend a hand quickly and offered a friendly greeting to every person along the way.

Thank you, everyone, from your awesome ASP 2014 Team!

Thank you, everyone, from your awesome ASP 2014 Team!

Many thanks are also due to everyone who made this trip come together! Special thanks to Robby Gilbert, Ron Harmon, Bill & Jackie Baver, Roberta Menapace, Conrad Ogletree, all the parents of our remarkable youth participants, and everyone from St. Luke Lutheran Church and beyond that provided support and prayers (especially the Youth Ministry Team, Social Ministry Team and Congregation Council). God has indeed accomplished something this week and made all of us a part of it!

Rolling Along! #ASP2014 Day 4

Posted: July 3, 2014 in Youth & Family Ministry
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Team Simbo making progress on their roofing project.

Team Simbo making progress on their roofing project.

#ASP2014 Links

PHOTO ALBUM / Travel Day / New River Retreat / Worship at River & Arrival Day / Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Affirmations

Thursday morning (work day 4) began again with morning devotions, which focused on the importance and virtue of patience. After breakfast, everyone sprung to action as we can now get a picture of what work can be done during the final two days of our week at ASP.

In exciting news, several youth from St. Luke expressed an interest in learning more about becoming ASP staff members in the future. Today, Miranda M., Natalie M. & Tommy S. shadowed the ASP staff as they sent teams out in the morning and did site visits to deliver supplies and support to the work teams. Miranda M. & Michael S. are both scheduled to shadow staff members on Friday.

I made my way back to Team Simbo today. We made an extra effort to arrive early at the site to try to get working before it got too hot. Upon arriving back at the site after 2 days away, I could quickly understand why this job has been frustrating and challenging. I could see that a great deal of work had been completed, but it was primarily addressing unexpected trouble in the roof substructure. The work that was done was slow and difficult and, although a lot has been accomplished, really only brought the progress of the job back to where we thought it was on Monday.

The crew from Connecticut that was working at the same house was moved to a new project. Gabe H. & Mason M. joined me in finishing a last piece of their indoor work: re-attaching a baseboard heater to a bedroom wall. On the roof, the crew was glad for cloudy skies without rain to make conditions a little bit easier. Steve M. along with Emily L. & Kaylin B. put down some water protection over seams in the new decking and then began setting wood beams (purlins) that the new tin roofing will be attached to. The ground crew (Claire L., Gabe H. & Mason M.) provided support by cutting lumber as needed and sending it up. After lunch, I joined the roof crew. When the sun came out, it was instantly exhausting. This team (and especially Steve M. who has spent all day every day on the roof) a big shout-out!

Team Prince Edward finished tiling the kitchen floor. They were excited to find out that the last row of tile along the wall were just the right size that they did not need to be cut! Another concern about moving the refrigerator back into place under a cabinet was also relived when it was determined that the cabinets are to come down next week to allow for wall repair. When they are rehung, there will be plenty of clearance for the refrigerator. The team also spent time spreading some of the remaining stone pile in the driveway.

Team Agua had a good day of progress after the challenge of drywalling the ceiling. Conditions were good for them to get three coats of spackling done, so tomorrow will be the final sanding and painting. Work was also done on trim, which proved tricky but came together. The other big accomplishment came from cleaning the walls. Finding out that a coal furnace exploded soot throughout the house a few years ago, the team scrubbed the walls and found a much brighter room. They also took all the boxes of bric-a-brac that are to be housed in the room and laid them out in the yard and cleaned each one individually. When the team departs tomorrow, they will leave a much nicer front room!

Having fun at the ASP picnic.

Having fun at the ASP picnic.

After the work day was finished it was time for the ASP Community Picnic. The weather could not have been better and we had a lovely long evening in a local park along the Cinch River. As is tradition, we invite the families we are helping to join us for the picnic. The women that teams Agua and Simbo serve were unable to come due to health and mobility problems. Ruth, the 92-year woman Team Agua is helping sent along words of appreciation along with a food donation for the picnic. The family that Team Prince Edward is helping was able to attend and everyone was very happy to meet them. After a delicious picnic dinner, several members of Team Prince Edward went with their family to enjoy some early 4th of July festivities. Everyone else stayed at the park until dark. We played Frisbee games, laughed a lot and really enjoyed being together. This is a remarkable group of young people with just the right adults accompanying them! We’re also seeing a lot of friendships forming with youth from the Connecticut churches.

The St. Luke ASP Team for 2014!

The St. Luke ASP Team for 2014!

As evening settles in before our final work day, there is a relaxed sense in the air at the ASP center. Some are relaxing and reading. Some are talking with new friends. One guy is writing a blog and posting pictures to Facebook as he says good night!

Midweek at #ASPWISE. Work continues. Challenges arise.

Posted: July 2, 2014 in Youth & Family Ministry
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#ASP2014 Links

PHOTO ALBUM / Travel Day / New River Retreat / Worship at River & Arrival Day / Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Affirmations

Tommy W. & Gillian H. working for Team Prince Edward.

Tommy W. & Gillian H. working for Team Prince Edward.

Many of us were moving a little bit slower at the start of our third day of work, but the energy for service was still evident as we gathered for morning devotions. One of the churches from Connecticut led the devotions, but pulled together a group of musicians to help lead the music, including myself.

Today I joined Team Prince Edward as they travelled high into the hills and hollers of Appalachia. Their work site, situated on the top of a foothill, is surrounded by incredible natural beauty. The team quickly got to work on laying down the remaining lauan paneling on the kitchen floor. The work ran smoothly throughout the day with some members nailing down the flooring and others cutting and fitting the next piece. We also needed to move the refrigerator and a large hutch to clear space for the flooring. Last week an error caused a large pile of stone to be

Sam M. placing floor tiles.

Sam M. placing floor tiles.

delivered for a drainage trench when someone mistook inches for feet in the quarry order (for those who know, it was sort of the opposite of the problem Spinal Tap had when they ordered stone). Sam M. Tommy W. & Harrison C. helped load some of the stone into an ASP truck for delivery to another site. The team stopped for lunch and had a great time talking with James & Kathy, who live in the home being repaired. They told us stories of working on a chicken farm, local bluegrass musicians, and their church. As lunch ended, we fed our apple cores to Buck the horse. During the afternoon the floor tiles began to be placed and another truckload of stone was shoveled by Gillian H. and Shannon R.

The other two teams found today to be particularly challenging, even frustrating. Team Simbo continued forward on the roof, but the work is slow and difficult, especially in the heat. It is also difficult to see how the work being done will come together in a way that meets the needs of the woman they are helping. Team Agua continued hanging drywall on the ceiling, but were challenged throughout the day by the reality that the house (like many in Appalachia) is not standing straight and square, so many pieces had to be cut and trimmed repeatedly (and each time required holding the drywall up to the ceiling to see if it fit).

Team Prince Edward with their family after a good day of work.

Team Prince Edward with their family after a good day of work.

During the evening gathering, we focused on the realities of poverty in Appalachia. Much of what we heard resounded clearly in terms of the work we are doing, including the frustrations we are facing as we try to make repairs on homes that have such overwhelming needs that are only being addressed through a network of youth volunteers (like us). We learned about the realities that actual ASP applicants faced before applying and the hard reality that 81% of ASP applicants are turned down due to the limited resources that even an effort as large and established as ASP has to work with. When somebody remarked that it must be hard to choose which houses to repair, the expressions of sadness on the faces of the ASP staff (who made those hard decisions for this summer’s work) were quite obvious. Several of our teen participants accepted an invitation to join the ASP staff for their nightly meeting as a way to learn more about what ASP staff members do and how they can pursue becoming a staff member in the future.

The plan brewing at present is to end the evening with some more ice cream at Ma & Pa’s!

Arrival Day at #ASPWISE (#ASP2014)

Posted: June 29, 2014 in Uncategorized, Youth & Family Ministry
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#ASP2014 Links

PHOTO ALBUM / Travel Day / New River Retreat / Worship at River & Arrival Day / Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Affirmations

Gathering for worship at the edge of the New River

Gathering for worship at the edge of the New River

We began Sunday morning with worship next to the New River. Our host at New River’s Edge, Paul Moody joined us for worship. We began by singing “Shall We Gather at the River” and then shared a time of confession and forgiveness.  I (Pastor Matt) offered an early “bonus reflection” over the sound of a long freight train hauling coal passed by. Taking a note from Bill Mallonee (a favorite songwriter of mine) I told the group that trains are interesting because they are usually on their way from “Point A” to “Point B” and are somewhere in the midst of the journey. Like that train, we know where we are headed, but we haven’t gotten there yet. This was true for this week as we prepared to depart for St. Paul, but also for our faith journeys as a whole. We have a promised destination, but we are still travelling toward it.

Youth volunteer Emily L. read the story of Jesus’ baptism from the Gospel of Matthew. We then paused to look at the river in front of us and imagined the scene as John was baptizing and Jesus came to him. I shared with the group that the baptism of Jesus marked the beginning of his “ministry” which I defined as “Jesus doing things that changed the world.” I reminded them that our own baptisms mark the same beginning for each of us as we are claimed as children of God and sent out to do things that change the world. Our mission for this week will be “Change the world. Together.” We reflected on the ways that we will make a difference through the work we do, but also through the relationships we become a part of. I then spelled out the importance of doing this work together and unpacked our plans to work together and support one another. I also shared my hopes and plans as I serve as pastor during this week. I told them, referring to last week’s sermon, that my job was to help Jesus ruin their lives. I look forward to this unique opportunity to connect with each person on this remarkable team.

Celebrating Holy Communion in the waters of the New River

Celebrating Holy Communion in the waters of the New River

We then moved to edge of the water. I waded out into the river, mandolin in hand, and led the group in a worship song that I wrote last year (Spirit: Wind and Fire). We sang a new stanza to the song that was appropriate (“Spirit. Living water. Be poured into us.”) Between singing this refrain, everyone shouted out a prayer for the week as they cast a stone into the river. When the prayers ended, we broke off into pairs and each person stuck their finger in the river and made the sign of the cross on their partner’s forehead as we remembered the calling of our baptism.

Worship concluded by celebrating Holy Communion in a way that none of us had ever experienced before. Remembering our baptism, each one of us waded into the river where we received the bread and the cup as the waters of baptism trickled through our toes. It was holy ground.

After worship, we took another tubing trip down the river. It seems to me that every worship service should be followed by tubing!

After packing up and eating lunch, we took to the road and arrived at the #ASPWISE center located at St. Paul Elementary and High School in St. Paul, VA. We met our ASP staff and set up our living quarters for the week. Those of us who served in Hinton, WV last year were overwhelmed and excited to be sleeping on the floors of air-conditioned classrooms and having the gym available for sports instead of sleeping quarters. There is also a lot of nice outside space. The accommodations are still a far cry from most vacations (except for camping), but we are fortunate to be staying in a very nice center. We were also glad to have our group become complete with the arrival of Harrison C.!

Introducing ourselves to the other ASP Teams.

Introducing ourselves to the other ASP Teams.

At 5pm we had our first official #ASP2014 gathering where we met the staff of the #ASPWISE center and shared introductions with the other groups we will spend the week with. The two other churches here are both United Methodist congregations form Connecticut, both avid participants in ASP, and have an interesting connection to one another.  Jesse Lee UMC is now in their 31st year with ASP. They sent approximately 35 volunteers to this site and another similar group to another county. They have used ASP as an ecumenical and community-outreach ministry for youth, so they draw in many participants from outside of their congregation. They have created a year-round program that involves local construction projects, robust training for ASP, and fundraising. Danbury UMC began their relationship by participating through Jesse Lee UMC. Now in their 6th year, Danbury has adopted the same approach to ASP and has 56 participants serving at two centers this week. These are exciting, experienced teams to meet! One of the adult leaders from Jesse Lee UMC is doing this for the 28th time!

We introduced ourselves by sharing how ASP has captured the imagination of our congregation over the past 2 years and then, Led my Mike S., the youth participants shared a series of rhymes about ASP that they had written and then everyone introduced themselves along with their favorite ice cream flavor.

Our three teams for this week are listed below by the ASP “site name” and the team members.

Team Prince Edward: John, Elizabeth & Sam M., Harrison C., Tommy W., Gillian H., Shannon R. (pics from #ASPWISE)

 Team Agua: Dave W., Kim & Michael S., Tommy S., Amani H., Natalie M., Miranda M.

Team Simbo: Steve & Mason M., Claire & Emily L., Gabe H., Kaylin B., Pastor Matt Staniz (I plan to switch with others to visit each site for at least one day) (pics from #ASPWISE)

Both Team Agua and Team Simbo will be working at houses where another team (from Connecticut) will also be doing work. I am hopeful this will open the door for some stronger connections between our people and our new friends and co-laborers.

After dinner, an adult and a youth representative from each team traveled with ASP staff to visit their team’s worksite and (more importantly) the people they will be serving. Other members remained at the center getting oriented to the routine of chores that they will be doing throughout the week and getting settled. Work starts in the morning!