by Hayley Owens
Click to View Video of 2023 ASP Trip
Photos provided by:
Jennifer Davis, Hayley Owens, Larry Moulis, Carly Moulis, Beth Jaeger-Landis, Caroline Landis, Lily Bolling
On July 8th, twenty-nine youth and adults from our congregation, returned from our week-long service trip to Jonesville, Virginia doing home repair through the Appalachian Service Project. This was my first time visiting this part of Virginia. We were truly in the SW tip of the state — beautiful coal country. For those who have read or heard about the book Demon Copperhead, Jonesville is in Lee County where that story is based.
Our UU group worked at four different sites, digging holes through rock and concrete to make a porch, fighting wasps as we removed siding, removing and reinstalling toilets to repair rotting floor joists. Of course, part of the work is to make progress on these projects, but to me this year I realized how much of this work is about forming relationships with the families and each other.
I am so proud to see how the group bonded with each other, the kids and animals at our sites, other groups at the center, and the adults. I couldn’t believe how quickly my mindset completely shifted to be honed into the well-being of others. It is a beautiful thing that I am bringing home with me.
So many thank yous are in order for making this trip possible and ENJOYABLE! Firstly, to our leaders Beth Jaeger-Landis and Larry Moulis who organized our trip. This was our first time back in 3 years as a group and it was SO smooth and well thought out. Thank you for leading us. Our center leader for ASP was our very own Julia Landis who is a Fellow there for the year. She is doing an amazing job and we were lucky to see her do it!
Thank you to our adult leaders: Jen Davis, Neal Walters, Ed Spellman, Caroline Landis, Carly Moulis, Nathan Vanhooser, and Fritz Hudson. These folks gave a week of their summer and so much heart, patience, and sweat.
Thank you to all who helped us prepare for this trip. Our wonderful fundraisers Margaret and Michael Gorman, our snack coordinator Karen Moulis and all who baked and gave snacks, and those who let us borrow their vehicles, MJ, the Chelliah’s, the Vanhooser’s, the Gil’s, and Jen Davis.
We hope to share more stories and photographs with you all in the weeks to come. Please come visit with me after Sunday services with questions. Thank you.
