By Marissa Witkovsky-Eldred
A total of 13 service trips are planned for FaithX 2024, the Church of the Brethren’s program of short-term service opportunities for youth, young adults, and adults. New opportunities include more options for combined junior and senior high youth groups, a family camp with childcare provided, an older adult trip in February, and both international and domestic trips for adults.
Details, including locations and dates, can be found at www.brethren.org/faithx. Registration is now open for the older adult trip and registration for summer trips will open on Jan. 10, 2024, at 7 p.m. (Eastern time).
Junior highs
June 19-23 hosted at Roanoke (Va.) First Church of the Brethren, volunteering with the Rescue Mission of Roanoke.
July 17-21 hosted at Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, assisting with animal care and groundskeeping at the Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association.
Junior/senior highs
June 9-14 at Camp Mardela in Denton, Md., supporting the outdoor ministries by completing building projects and cleaning up the grounds in preparation for summer camp.
June 18-23 in South Bend, Ind., volunteering with organizations that support the under-resourced by providing food, clothing, and shelter.
July 21-26 in Knoxville, Tenn., partnering with the Knoxville Dream Center to provide recovery services to the unhoused community.
July 28-Aug. 2 in Winston-Salem, N.C., making a positive impact in partnership with SPARK and alongside formerly or currently homeless individuals, in community with other non-Brethren youth groups.
Senior highs
June 8-14 at Camp Koinonia in Cle Elum, Wash., working on cleaning, construction, and maintenance projects in preparation for summer camp and retreat groups.
July 14-20 in North Fort Myers, Fla., learning about sustainable farming at ECHO by helping to maintain fields and gardens and assisting with construction projects.
Adults
June 1-10 (plus travel time) in Ecuador, volunteering at Fundación Brethren y Unida to support development and conservation projects and learn about agroecology and resource management through the preparation and maintenance of farmland.
July 28-Aug. 3 with Brethren Disaster Ministries, rebuilding damaged homes in a disaster-affected community in the eastern United States.
Older adults
Feb. 25-March 1 at Camp Ithiel in Gotha, Fla., participating in camp improvement projects, creative service, devotions/worship, and fellowship in community. Registration for this trip is open now at www.brethren.org/faithx.
Families
June 23-27 at Camp Blue Diamond in Petersburg, Pa., completing work projects at camp, but also joining in creative service that allows both children and adults to be involved. All ages are welcome and childcare is provided for those too young to volunteer or if children need a break to play or rest.
We Are Able for youth and young adults with intellectual disabilities
June 24-27 in Elgin, Ill., participating in work projects at local food banks and food distribution centers in the Fox River valley of northern Illinois.
— If you have any questions, contact Marissa Witkovsky-Eldred at faithx@brethren.org or 847-429-4337.
———-
Find more Church of the Brethren news: