UNION COUNTY

Youth group serves homeless on annual mission trip

Willow Grove Presbyterian Church
  • Youth and adults from Willow Grove Presbyterian Church and St. John's Baptist Church serves homeless on mission trip
  • On mission trip organized a clothes closet, brought donations of socks, and worked at the conference center
  • Group volunteered in the Helping Hands Clothes Closet of Spring Valley
  • People may come to find clothes for job interviews and stock up on basic toiletries

Youth and adults from Willow Grove Presbyterian Church and St. John’s Baptist Church in Scotch Plains drove to Stony Point Center in Stony Point, New York, on July 16, for their annual service mission trip.

They participated in a morning breakfast program, organized a clothes closet, brought donations of socks, and worked at conference center.

On Friday morning the group volunteered in The Rockland Interfaith Breakfast Program which is housed in the United Church of Spring Valley, in Spring Valley, New York. It is a free, volunteer-run program that provides a hot breakfast and bagged lunch to anyone who enters through its doors. It is supported by Christian, Jewish and Muslim congregations. The program serves a diverse population from Spring Valley as well as the homeless in Rockland, who are brought in to have a hot meal and place to eat.

In addition to serving in the breakfast program, the group volunteered in the Helping Hands Clothes Closet of Spring Valley. Packages of men's socks and underwear, which had been donated by the Willow Grove Church congregation, were presented. The group spent time organizing and sorting donated summer and winter clothes. People may come to find clothes for job interviews and stock up on basic toiletries.

While staying at the Stony Point Conference Center, the group worked on various projects. Some members of the group repainted entry areas of dormitory buildings while others updated guest manuals. Stony Point is a conference center offering locally sourced food, simple accommodations, sustainable values, and a spirit of hospitality. The center, modeling the love of Jesus, welcomes people of all faiths and nations to discern, discover, learn, lead and create paths to peace, nonviolence and justice.

“The teenagers who went on the trip deepened their sense of empathy for people who struggle with poverty, deepened their awareness of causes of homelessness, and deepened their commitment to being people of compassion and action. I am inspired by these teenagers. As young people whose Christian faith is rooted in the commandment to love God and neighbor, they give me great hope,” said the Rev. Cynthia Cochran-Carney, pastor of Willow Grove Church and trip participant.

Throughout the year, Willow Grove’s Sixteen 13 youth group raises funds for the mission trip and other service projects by hosting brunches for the congregation, making and selling birthday cakes, and seeking donations. They meet weekly for activities, music jam sessions, service projects and discussions.

Willow Grove Presbyterian Church is at 1961 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains. For more information, contact the church office at 908-232-5678 or visit www.willowgrovechurch.org. St John’s Baptist Church is at 2387 Morse Ave, Scotch Plains. Call 908-232-6972 or visit stjohnsscotchplains.org.