GCCC Mission Trip Heads to Long Beach

Garden City Community Church sponsored its annual mission trip in mid-July for 43 students and adult leaders.

The group held a number of fundraising events to pay for building materials, supplies and food. This year they traveled a short distance to Long Beach where the team helped their south shore neighbors still suffering from Sandy. There, the volunteers helped to repair homes and a church.

"Although we did not travel far, our trip this year was filled with moving testimonies and a great deal of very physical work related to the tragic circumstances following Superstorm Sandy," Beth Schroeder, mission trip coordinator, said. "The youth and leaders worked hard to restore homes and helped to lay the foundation of a new deck off of the church in which we stayed. NextStep Ministries provided thought-provoking worship services using video, Christian rock music and moving testimonials. It was a fantastic experience for all who attended despite extremely hot weather, limited facilities and long work days."

Drew Hearon, chairman of the Board of Christian Education, added, "On behalf of the entire Board of Christian Education, I'd like to thank the year-long dedication of our volunteer leaders and volunteer students who worked so hard planning and fundraising for this year's trip. The Garden City Community Church annual mission trip has become such an important part of our Christian Education offering and we're thrilled we have the leadership and participation to see it happen again."

Garden City Community Church is part of the United Church of Christ and is an Open and Affirming congregation. It is located at Stewart Avenue and Whitehall Boulevard. For more information, call 746-1700 or visit www.gardencitycommunitychurch.org.

Photos by Francie Cohn, Andrew Morreale, Jane O'Keeffe and Suzie Alvey