March 29, 2024

Two Newton churches work in Winnebago

From July 5 - 12, members of First Presbyterian Church of Newton, United Presbyterian Church of Newton and First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn went on the annual intergenerational Work Week trip. This year’s group traveled to Winnebago, Neb., which is the home of the Winnebago Native American tribe.

The Winnebago Reformed Church hosted the parishioners which helped people in the Winnebago area by reroofing a double garage, weeding flower and vegetable gardens, cleaning and mowing a small city park near the church and doing repair work to a deck so a ramp could be added.  Jobs also included scraping paint in preparation for some painting to be done and painting the inside of a government home, getting it ready for a homeless family to move in.

Work Week trips are opportunities not only to become acquainted with and help people in another part of the U.S., but also for the group to form a mini-community through the process of living and working together.

Money to go on the trip was raised by hosting a spring style show in partnership with Mode Huis, a barbecue rib dinner held in Brooklyn, and an annual ice cream social.  Each attendee also pays a nominal fee and commits to attending monthly meetings and working at the fund raisers.

Members of youth groups from other surrounding churches are also welcome to attend for future Work Week mission trips.