Outreach and Mission Trips from St. Mary's

Katrina Mission Trip

Long Beach, Mississippi

St. Mary's Mission Trip to Long Beach, Mississippi in June

In June 2006, 10 people (including 8 college students) from St. Mary's and 2 from St. Patrick's in Falls Church travelled to Long Beach, MS for a week long mission trip to help with Katrina Relief along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Interested in joining us for our next trip? Contact Jenn (jennifer.strawbridge@stmarysarlington.org). The only requirements are a current Tetanus shot and that you must be at least 16 years old.

Quote from a member of our team:

“The Gospel spoke of the mustard seed: small, but with plenty of potential. The work of the Lord is not always so easy to see, but in Coastal Mississippi, it’s absolutely clear what we have to do – and I dearly hope, my friends, that you will help us in the next task of this mission trip: that of helping the mustard seed of hope grow.”

Heifer Project

International

in Perryville, Arkansas

St. Mary's Mission Trip to Heifer Project Int'l Ranch in Arkansas (pictured with Gashland UMC Youth)

Towel Ministry

in Valle Crucis, NC

Picture from one of the sites with Charlotte Platner, Vinicius McCulloch, Jack Hamilton, & Mary Beth

From July 8-16 this summer, 15 St. Mary's youth and 4 adults travelled to Heifer Project International's Ranch for a Summer Service Learning Mission Trip. This awesome week was spent learning about livestock, sustainable development, poverty, and even spending 2 days and 1 night living in the Global Village - divided into families between Guatamala, the urban slums of Zimbabwe, and Appalachia.

Quote from Jojo Emerson about Heifer Project:

"When I step out of this van, a deep imprint will be left on my mind...people are going to ask what we did, and I'll tell them 'work on a farm and live like a poor person.' No one can understand why that is fun, unless they've done it."

From July 9-16 this summer, 9 St. Mary's youth, 3 Youth from Church of the Resurrection and 4 adults travelled to Valle Crucis, North Carolina for our 10th year at the Towel Ministry Mission Trip. This incredible week was spent working with and helping families in the North Carolina Appalachian Mountains to rebuild and repair their homes, as well as to spend much time getting to know some amazing people and their stories.

Quote from a mission trip team member about Towel:

“I was pulling staples out of the boy’s bedroom wall, to prepare it for painting. Under one staple was what remained of a poster or something, and that word was ‘Spirit.’ And, that sort of sums up my experience at ‘Towel,’ the community that was formed, the deep faith of the people. It was so much The Spirit.”

For more pictures from our trips, see our Pictures page and click on the link!

Many thanks to the youth and adult sponsors who reached out to others through mission and service this summer in Honduras, Arkansas, and North Carolina, not only in the name of St. Mary’s but especially in the name of Christ. They are:

Joseph Allen                                 Catharine Bellinger

Ellie Berlyn                                   Lindsey Bevis

Alice Billmire                                Angel Bunker

Brian Cahill                                   Karen Chase

Megan Chase                                Kevin Covucci

Brendan Doyle                              Peyton Ellis

Chris Emerson                              Jojo Emerson

Mary Beth Emerson                      Andrew Emmons

Zachary Emmons                         Cassandra Ford

Jack Hamilton                              Salena Hess

Shannon Johnston                       David Kendrick

Elena Lagon                                 Vinicius McCulloch

Molly McGowan                           Sean McGowan

Julia Milton                                  Wendy Ourisman

Audrey Parker                              Charlotte Platner

Matthew Presson                          Emily Prezioso

Sammy Rocks                              Claire Sanders

Drew Sanders                               Jenn Strawbridge

Janet Tasker                                 Ryan Tasker-Benson

Charlie Townshend                      Margaret White