2009 Alabama Work Trip Picnic!

Attention Worktrippers!

After hearing back from some of you, I have set a time and a place for our get-together: Sunday, 31 May at 5 pm at John Erickson's house, located at 707 VT Route 132 in Norwich (near Union Village).

Our plan is to use the Erickson's outdoor wood fired oven for making pizzas, maybe do some grilling too.

It will be a great time to have some fun and some reminiscing!

John hopes to have the annual Worktrip DVD ready by then.

If you can RSVP, it would give us a vague headcount.

See you there!

Mary

Work Trip Reunion Picnic Planning (27 Apr 2009)

Start thinking about a Work Trip 2009 Reunion!

We could have it at Mary's barn, at a local park such as the Union Village Dam (which has picnic shelters and a sandy volleyball court!), or even a pizza-making party using John's wood-fired backyard clay oven.

A good time for a picnic might be late in May.

Please email Mary with your ideas!

Thank you from Mary (27 Apr 2009)

Dear 2009 Worktrippers and Parents,

Thank you for a great ten days!

This was one of the most dramatic work achievements I've seen in my twelve church rebuilding work trips. All those roof trusses!

But that was not necessarily the most important thing about the week. I was so impressed by the way you treated each other, the way you met and worked with our hosts, the energy that was with us. Each one of you was essential to our project. And my special thanks to John, Dan, Lynne, and of course Mike for helping me out with your special gifts.

I hope that this has given all you young people an appetite for helping other people. There is a lot more to be done out there and lots of fun to be had doing it!

Best,

Mary

IMPORTANT PS: I have a few lost and found items:

• A pair of (girls?) Adidas, blue, green, red
• A pair of boys (size 12) Nike running shoes
• A recycled tote bag from Shaw's
• A small green Fiskars work apron/belt
• a couple of green Nalgene bottles
• one normal grey utility knife (Meryl?)
• one super-deluxe grey utility knife (Sam?)
• one red-handled hammer (with black grip and black tape)
• one Work Trip 2009 T-Shirt, size M

I will leave them on my back porch if you want to pick them up.

Sunday Evening (26 Apr 2009)

After a very long day of driving that "featured" heavy traffic throughout northern New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, we arrived safely in West Lebanon and were greeted by our waiting families!

Thanks everyone for such a great work trip!!

Sunday Morning (26 Apr 2009)

Yesterday was a looong travel day from Anderson, SC to Washington, DC. Our early start was rewarded by an hour of wandering around the monuments on "The Mall," and then it was off to dinner at Union Station. We spent the night at Christ Congregational and will be heading out early Sunday morning on the last leg of the trip to the Upper Valley!

Saturday: Travel day to Washington, DC (25 Apr 2009)

We spent the night at the Days Inn in Anderson, SC and then were off early to Washington, DC.

After our loooong ride, we'll have a tour of the monuments on The Mall, a dinner at Union Station and then will head to our final night at Christ Congregational in Silver Springs.

Friday: Final day of work! (24 Apr 2009)

We finished up with a great half-day of work, and are now off to John Tanner State Park near Atlanta for a bit of relaxation before heading to Anderson, SC for the night.

Some of the highlights of our work today including moving the baptismal pool into position, helping with sheathing and papering the roof, and general site clean-up.

After lunch, prepared again by the ladies of Greater Bethelpore, we had a "thank you" ceremony in which we presented them with gifts of appreciation, including Work Trip 2009 T-shirts for Ealy and Rev. Brown, and Vermont maple syrup for the church.

Check out our final work photos now, and check back later for some of us at "play!"

Thursday: Fourth day of work (23 Apr 2009)

Whooeee! What a day of work!

Today was our last full day of work, and we made it truly a full one! Just before lunch we completed the run of sissor trusses over the sanctuary. After another great lunch prepared by the ladies of Greater Bethelpore, we finished the remaining full-width trusses, and then finished the trusses over the front porch. An amazing amount of hard work in hot conditions! Everyone drank huge amounts of water.

In the evening we enjoyed (what has become) our annual Work Trip Talent Extravenganza! Trippers shared a great range of talent, from teaching us some basic Morris dancing to truly impressive singing!

Some of us ended the day by shooting hoops with a few of the Auburn Heights Thursday Night men's basketball group. Then we enjoyed a late lights out!

Wednesday: Third Day of Work (22 Apr 2009)

Another great day!

We started the day with Mary's team making scrambled eggs (regular and cheesey!), a fruit assortment and other goodness for breakfast. We had our usual Circle Time and left for the work site raring to go!

Most of the morning was spent finishing the few remaining trusses over the fellowship hall. Some of the kids also started work on a new sign for the church.

After much planning and arrangement of the boom truck (crane), we set and stabilized the starter sissor truss over the sanctary and were off to another amazing lunch prepared by the ladies of Greater Bethelpore Baptist Church.

After lunch we dove into putting up the run of sissor trusses over the santuary. By the end of the day we had completed more than half, which promises to make for an awesome day of work Thursday. Do we dare hope that we'll finish the santuary?

This evening we ate dinner with the normal Wednesday Night crowd at Auburn Heights Baptist Church, our wonderful hosts this week. We took every opportunity to thank them for hosting us, and they prayed for us and the work we do!

As you can see from today's photos, the kids seem to be enjoying their work! Or, maybe, they're just happy that the building's showers are usable again!

Tuesday: Second Day of Work (21 Apr 2009)

We made an amazing amount of progress today as we nearly completed placing the trusses for the rear section of the church. Everyone got involved and most of the day were climbing around like monkeys, as you can see from today's pictures.

Lynne led another team on a mission to Home Depot to get materials to replace Greater Bethelpore's sign. It will look amazing when it's done!

We were chased off the trusses by a late day rain, but are looking forward to plunging right in tomorrow!

Tuesday Morning (21 Apr 2009)

This morning John's team started the day by making the famous Work Trip "Feature" Scones, using the awesome King Authur scone recipe (see the left side of this page. This year's "features" were: chocolate chip, butterscotch, blueberry, Craisins, and cheese. Also, the "World's Best Mixed Fruit Salad!"

After Circle Time, it's off to the work site. Looks like abnother beautiful day!.

Monday: First Day of Work (20 Apr 2009)

Today the "work" part of the work trip officially began!

We survived the heavy thunderstorms and warnings of tornados that rumbled through last night --- and kept the adults awake! Unfortunately, the heavy rains saturated the drain field and shut down our bathrooms; we are using the showers and bathrooms in an adjacent church building until the system dries out.

Lynne's team started our day by making us breakfast featuring scambled eggs, blueberry pancakes, fruit salad and other goodness.

We followed breakfast with our usual Circle Time of reflection, then we were off to the work site!

As you can see from our photos, a major part of the work this week will be helping Rev. Brown, the contractor set up roof trusses. Everyone gets involved, from removing the protective covers and packing straps, to moving them into position for the crane, to setting them in place and attaching stabilizers.

Sunday Morning: Suwanee, GA (19 Apr 2009)

Good Morning!

After a loooong day of driving, we made it safely to our hotel in Suwanee, GA!

We decided to change our reservations from the Days Inn to the Comfort Inn after checking things out; the two were next to each other and the Comfort could accomodate us better for many things.

This morning we have a little more than two hours of driving to go, then we'll arrive at Greater Bethelpore's temporary worship site. We'll spend the afternoon with them and evaluate the worksite, then head to Auburn Heights Baptist Church Phenix City, our home for the week.

WorkTrip Update: From the Road! (18 Apr 2009)

Through the miracles of technology, we're posting this update enroute on Saturday morning!

We made it safely to Washington, DC last night and had dinner at Union Station. We then spent the night at First Congregational Church in Silver Springs, MD.

We were up early and hit the road at 8am sharp; we had breakfast at a buffet about 45mins south of DC, and now are headed south on I-95...

A few pictures from yestrday to follow...watch for updates to the Album area!

WorkTrip Update: Laundry (15 Apr 2009)

Someone just asked about doing laundry during our work trip...You should pack assuming there will be NO laundry facilities, since I don't expect that we will have that option.

At least we will have showers!

Mary

WorkTrip Update: Progress this Spring (14 April 2009)

Two college "Alternative Spring Break" groups (Harvard and UNC Chapel Hill) have already been on-site at Greater Bethelpore this Spring. We were able to locate images from what we believe was the UNC-CH group's week on Picasa.

Ignore the date stamped on some of the photos...

Work Trip Update: Bus Trip Food (13 Apr 2009)

Hi Worktrippers!

A couple of you have asked about bringing food for the bus trip to Alabama. Yes, it is nice to pack food to share, but I leave it up to all of you to figure out what's best.

I can suggest things that have been nice in the past:

• bottled water or juice
• fruit: apples oranges, bananas
• crackers
• gorp (trail mix)
• cookies
• bagels
• nuts

These things will last for a little while, so we can always keep eating them after we arrive.

Some people like to pack their lunch for the first day, but our refrigeration capability is limited, so don't expect perishables to last long.

A reminder for Hanover High students: you have to fill out a "goldenrod" form for the missed day of school on Friday.

Does everyone remember where and when we're meeting?
At the WEST LEBANON MCDONALD'S PARKING LOT at 7:30 AM FRIDAY (17 Apr)!

Also remember that you'll need money for approx. seven fast-food meals on the road

More questions?

See you then!

Mary

Work Trip Update: What to bring

Dear 2009 Church Rebuilders and Families,

We will be leaving in just over a week! We have a group of 29: sixteen girls, nine boys, two men and two women. Greater Bethelpore Baptist Church in Alabama has already had two college rebuilding teams help them out in the last month, and they will be ready to greet us on 19 April. There will be a contractor on the site giving us some direction, so we should be well placed to give them a big boost with their project.

I am re-sending a packing list as a reminder:

• Work clothes, including sturdy foot wear
• Nice clothes for church
• $1-$5 for the offering at Sunday worship
• Sleeping bag, pillow, and camping mattress or pad (We will be sleeping on floors most of the time.)
• Towel, toiletries
• Bathing suit
• Insect repellent and sunscreen (important, it’s easy to burn)
• A water bottle: it will help save on bottled water if we can keep refilling these.
• Something warm like a fleece or sweater
• Money for about 7 meals on the road (normally fast food stops)
• A work belt with a few basic tools: measuring tape, utility knife, pencils, hammer, work gloves.
• (Optional tools if you have them and can bring them: drill, staple gun, chalk line, saws, other tools)
• Fun things like musical instruments, games, cards, frisbees.
• Ipods for personal listening.
• DVD’s to watch on the bus. I have absolute veto power here!

We ask that people not bring laptops.

Remember that our meeting time and place is 7:30AM on Friday, 17 April, in the WEST LEBANON McDONALD’S PARKING LOT.

Remember this link for information and checking in on us during the week:
http://nccyouthgroup2009.blogspot.com/

Please feel free to call me or e-ail me with more questions. I may think of other reminders as we get closer.

See you soon!

Mary

Work Trip Update (16 Mar 2009)

Hi, people interested in the work trip!

We had a good meeting Sunday evening, with lots of new folks showing interest. I am now officially NOT worried that we won't have enough participants this year!

In fact, I am going to put a hold on new participants until I can get a handle on the true numbers. If you came to the meeting, or have given me a form, or have e-mailed me saying that you were coming, you are on board. People who have not spoken to me or contacted me may have to wait and see if we can take them.

We are still looking for another adult (or two) with building experience, so if any parents fitting that description can get permission from their child to attend, get in touch!

In any case, please get those forms and deposit checks in. I have attached a letter with more information, including the church address for mailing forms in.

I will be sending e-mail updates and posting them to our web site, http://nccyouthgroup2009.blogspot.com

Please feel free to ask more questions. This looks like a great group!

Mary

Meeting Sunday, 15 Mar 2009

Hi Potential Work Trippers!

I am planning another meeting to discuss our work trip to Alabama. Some of you are already on board, some of you are still thinking and/or recruiting friends. This will be a chance to give updates and to answer questions from students or parents.

I am still looking for two more adults, preferably with some building experience.

We will meet in the parish hall of the Norwich Congregational Church at 6pm on Sunday, 15 March 2009. We will have some snacks so that no one will go hungry while we meet.

Mary

Update from Alabama: Work is Underway!

Hi Everybody!

I just talked to my contact at Greater Bethelpore Baptist Church in Alabama. Their foundation is being poured this week so they are underway! Their first volunteer team will arrive on 7 March.

Meanwhile, back here in the Upper Valley, I am still waiting for registration forms. So far I have only received two. That's not enough to make renting a bus worthwhile :)

Also, one of our adults is not going to be able to join us in April. So I am looking for at least one more, preferably two more adults to come along. It would be great if one of them were female.

I am still hoping that some NCC parents will come forward to plan some fund raising. Kids from other towns and churches will have to pursue his on their "home ground."

Remember that info and registration forms can be found at our website (wonderfully set up by John) at http://nccyouthgroup2009.blogspot.com/

Let me know if you have questions or brilliant ideas.

Mary

First Information Meeting (8 Feb 2009)

Hi Everyone!

We will have an informational meeting for participants and parents on 8 Feb 2009 at 6pm in the Parish Hall here at the NCC.

You should have received a letter and registration form already.

For people coming from the Norwich Congregational Church, it would be good to have some activity on fundraising.

See you soon,

Mary

Work Trip 2009 Information Letter

Dear People Interested in the April Work Trip,

I am now able to give you more details about the 11th Annual Norwich Congregational Church Youth Work Trip:

The trip will begin on 17 April 2009 (Friday), when we board a bus in West Lebanon, NH early in the morning. We will travel all day and spend the night at Christ Congregational Church, UCC in Silver Spring, MD, just outside Washington, DC.

The next day, 18 April 2009 (Saturday) we will drive to an overnight stop at a motel outside Atlanta, GA. The following morning, we will drive to a temporary worship space just outside Phenix City, Alabama. We will worship with the congregation of Greater Bethelpore Baptist Church. Their church was completely destroyed by arson in January 2008. At this point, I am not sure what the exact stage of the construction will be in April, but there will probably be both interior and exterior work for us to do. As usual we will have some experienced workers with us who can teach and direct the work for the rest. We will be staying at the Auburn Heights Baptist Church in Phenix City, AL which has a large facility with showers, a large kitchen, etc.

Our work week will begin on 20 April 2009 (Monday). We will work four full days and maybe a half day on Friday. We will still have plenty of time for recreation, possibly visiting a local state park. We will be cooking our own meals for the most part, with teams rotating through the week. I expect that our host churches will also provide us with some meals.

We will leave the Phenix City area on the evening of 24 April 2009 (Friday) and will stay overnight in another church in Georgia. My hope is to get a head start on the trip home so that we can have a little time the end of the next day, 25 April 2009 (Saturday), to do some sightseeing in Washington, DC. Christ Congregational Church will host us again on 25 April, then we will head home on 26 April 2009 (Sunday), arriving by the end of the day.

Some of the participants have been on these work trips before. They know that we have fun, are challenged, and see a new part of the world. If you have no experience in building, you will learn new skills. We are warmly welcomed by our host churches and always make new friends there. The music is always great! We hope to include new fellow workers, both from the Norwich Congregational Church and others.

I am happy to answer questions from teenagers or parents. We have posted registration forms for those who are interested. With the registration forms and the code of conduct form, please include a check for $100 made out to the Norwich Congregational Church. This will hold your place on the trip! For those coming as part of the Norwich Congregational Church Youth Group, participation in fundraising is essential. For those coming from other churches, or those who are unaffiliated we hope that you can contribute $400 per person through fundraising. We do not turn anyone away who cannot afford the trip. Each participant also needs to bring money to purchase some of their own meals on the bus trip, about 7 meals worth.

There will be more planning meetings when we get closer to the trip. I will send more information to those who register.

Please get in touch if you have questions!

Work Trip 2009 Registration Materials

Hi Potential Work Trippers!

I am attaching information about our April work trip, along with a registration form. I realize that this is being sent to a rough e-mail list.  If you would like to be removed, just let me know.  If you want to add someone, just let me know.  If you need to know more, just let me know. 

The introduction letter and registration form are available here...

I was planning to have a meeting for students and parents on Feb. 1, but then I heard that it was Super Bowl Sunday.  Would people like to meet early in the afternoon on that day?  Or should we wait until Feb 8 at 5 pm?  Let me know your preference and I will send out a confirmation of our meeting.  

See you soon,  

Mary Brownlow

Welcome to the Work Trip 2009 Blog

Last year's blog can be found here:

http://nccyouthgroup2008.blogspot.com/

More details on this year's trip to follow!