Members of Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Phillips Road, Bluffton, became involved in mission activities at home and away from home this summer, according to Eric Rummel, pastor.

Camp Washington

From July 5-10 30 Emmanuel United Church of Christ youth from grades five to 12 from participated in a mission trip to Camp Washington, UCC, Cincinnati.

"The trip involved several elements. These included being assigned a younger Cincinnati youth as a buddy during the week, volunteering in a daily vacation Bible school, and being part of a work crew renovating older houses in the area of Camp Washington, which is located off Exit 3 of Interstate 75 in inner-city Cincinnati," said Rummel.

Six adults accompanied the youth. This is the second year in a row that youth at Emmanuel planned a summer mission trip. Last summer the youth went to Knoxville, Tenn.

Family Promise

In June members of the Emmanuel congregation participated in Family Promise. It is a national faith-based ecumenical group that works with homeless families.

Rummel said that Emmanuel is the 13th congregation in Allen County to participate in the program.

During one week assigned to Emmanuel, the congregation hosted three homeless Allen County families. The families spent the night sleeping in the church, members of the congregation provided a supper for the families, and several members of the congregation spent evening in the church while the families stayed there.

"We hope to become more involved in this program," said Rummel. "We will host families two or three times during the year. "This program puts a face on homeless persons, for our congregation's members."

Youth participating in the Cincinnati mission trip are:

Front row from left, Lydia Skelly, Stacie Palte, Victoria Hover, Ashley Sickles, Ali Koontz and Katie Heinze.

Middle row from left, Megan Luginbuhl, Tanner Pinks, Cole Fruchey, Avery Rumer, Klarissa Garmatter, Emily Stratton, Katelynn Yant, Zack Holbrook, Devin Luginbuhl, Teresa Pinks and Sherry Stratton.

Back row from left, Haley Pinks, Katie Palte, Sara Matter, Lacey Hill, Kaity King, Brett Rumer, Sarah Combs, Sami Fruchey, Lauren Parkins, Abbie Parkins, Stacy Combs, Shane Combs, Chris McClain, Eric McClain, Scotty Shumaker, Cody Williams-Basinger, Tony Pinks, Pastor Eric Rummel and Jay Stratton.

To view all photos, click on top left photo first.