Youth across the North Central Jurisdiction traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, from June 23-29, for the first NCJ Youth Mission Journey.
REV. AMY TERHUNE
Saginaw: First UMC
Youth from Saginaw: First UMC joined youth from five other United Methodist churches across the North Central Jurisdiction (NCJ) in Des Moines, Iowa, for the first NCJ Youth Mission Journey. This was coordinated by United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (VIM), the official short-term volunteer sending agency of The United Methodist Church.
Altogether, 32 youth, six college students, and 19 adults represented the East Ohio, Illinois Great Rivers, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin conferences. Participants were not necessarily assigned to work with their entire church group but were split into one of four different teams so that we could get to know one another across conference boundaries.
Teams served the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network, Families First, the Iowa Conference’s Wesley Woods Camp, Greenfield UMC, and our host church, Immanuel UMC, in Des Moines.
The small team of three persons from Saginaw: First UMC included Pastor Amy Terhune, Alexa Sharrow (7th grade), and Madeline Curtiss (adult). We were assigned to Greenfield UMC, where ongoing disaster recovery work is happening after a devastating tornado cut a wide path through the heart of the town on May 21, 2024, claiming five lives and destroying more than 150 homes in the town of just two thousand residents.
We were blessed to work with youth and adults from three other churches and have formed friendships that will bless us for years. It was heartbreaking to drive through Greenfield and witness first-hand the losses this community has experienced. We could clearly see the path where the tornado went through.
We were deeply moved by the “Lost and Found” room at Greenfield UMC, where precious items such as photographs, photo albums, jewelry, keys, and toys were gathered as volunteers found them among the wreckage. Hopefully, all these precious items will be reconnected with their rightful owners. Yet we were also uplifted by getting to know town residents and church members and seeing how the community has come together to help one another.
It was humbling to be a small part of the recovery work, providing meals for displaced residents and volunteers and helping the Greenfield UMC congregation regain order in their building after receiving an outpouring of donations of clothing, personal care items, and household goods.
Youth worked at their assigned locations during the day and participated in learning experiences and devotions each evening. On Sunday evening, Rev. Dr. Tammy Kuntz, coordinator for the NCJ UMVIM, led us in worship and welcomed us. Each night, either junior high or senior high youth led devotions.
Weekday evening learning sessions included an introduction to what UMVIM is and how it functions on Monday night, a food scarcity simulation led by Iowa State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott on Tuesday night, and packing 1,600 rice meal packs for Midwest Mission on Wednesday night. The whole group had fun on Thursday night by taking in a minor league game and cheering on the Iowa Cubs. We closed things out Friday night with worship, communion, and a meaningful time of reflection, bowing in prayer as another tornado warning went into effect for Greenfield.
We headed home Saturday morning more sensitive to the needs of others, with hearts full of love for God and neighbor, with new appreciation for the connection that unites us, and with gratitude for the tremendous blessings found in God’s service and God’s presence.
Are you interested in going on next summer’s NCJ Youth Mission Journey? If so, contact Rev. Dr. Tammy Kuntz, NCJ UMVIM coordinator, at [email protected] and check the VIM website. Details are coming soon.
Last Updated on July 18, 2024