Celebrating Appalachian Service Project (ASP) August 10, United Methodist Church of Geneva devoted its August 10 worship service to spotlighting its volunteers. The celebration featured music, a photo slideshow, and reflections by volunteers.
In a 42nd annual ASP, 30 GUMC volunteers, 22 youth and eight adults, spent July 19-25 rehabbing homes in rural Knott County, Kentucky. Projects included building walls and repairing floors, ceilings and siding of local homes.
ASP, a Johnson City, Tenn.-based nonprofit, mobilizes volunteer groups that repairs roofs, walls, floors, foundations and bathrooms while making homes accessible through porch and ramp repairs or additions. ASP serves Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Mike Popplewell, GUMC liturgist and team co-leader with Al Dias, opened the service by leading congregational singing of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “This Little Light of Mine.” After Pastor Rob Hamilton welcomed attendees and gave an opening prayer, Popplewell and three youth gave reflections on the project. Student speakers were Maddie Catich, Ben Connor, and Maddie Connor.
Popplewell said “ASP allowed us to be a light to others as we radiated and witnessed to our (recipient) families and friends. We joined in song, played in the rain, stood patiently in line for an outdoor shower and cleaned floors or washed dishes for 75 other volunteers. We are proud to have represented GUMC for this church’s 42nd summer.”
Volunteers were housed at a local church. ASP lined up local volunteers to cook meals Sunday evening through Friday evening.
Volunteers carpooled in four vans and contributed for transportation, gasoline and tolls. Need-based scholarships were available to students who qualified.
Pastor Heather Connor closed the worship service with the benediction.
—Al Benson