Week 3: St. Paul’s Edenton

Jun 28

A large group from St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Edenton, NC, wearing matching blue t-shirts, pose together on a grassy hilltop at Glory Ridge. Behind them, layers of green mountians stretch into the distance under a soft evening sky.

Week 3 of Summer Ministry at Glory Ridge welcomed youth groups from St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Edenton, NC, and Eastern Shore Chapel in Virginia Beach, VA. They arrived with hearts for service, a love for Jesus, and a big capacity for fun. The theme of the week, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” shaped every task as we focused on treating everyone we met with love and grace, just as Jesus does.

Crews served at several worksites:

“Rule #1” (an inside joke they wouldn’t explain) helped Mrs. Vickie by replacing gutters, toilets, and tackling small but important repairs. While waiting for supplies, they visited with her, getting to know her story. These conversations meant so much that she asked for their addresses so she could write to them after they left.
The “Sugah Dumplins’” (named after Mrs. Peggy’s favorite nickname for everyone) painted the exterior of her home and stained the big front porch. They spent time with Peggy and her daughter Brittany, inspired by Peggy’s story of a mission trip she once took to South Dakota. One staffer reflected on how it reminded them of the widow’s offering, how those with little still give what they can to God. Peggy and Brittany joined us for dinner on the Ridge Thursday night.
The “Demo Dawgs” returned to Anne’s house, where we had helped replace her front porch during Week 1. This time, they took down and rebuilt two back porches, careful not to disturb Anne’s new tomato garden. Anne loved having another group of “youngin’s” around. One young adult took her on errands and stopped at her husband’s grave to help lay fresh flowers.

Thanks to Dr. Chris Ford, a volunteer from St Paul’s, and Friends of Madison County Animals, we hosted a free animal clinic midweek. Over 80 pets received vaccines, checkups, and flea and tick treatments. Rev. Melody offered prayers and blessings, showing love in another form.

Back at camp, we lived out our motto: work hard, play hard. We hiked to the creek, played football on the Ridge, set up a slip n’ slide, and painted plaques to hang around camp. The “Not Your Mama’s Cooking” team kept us well-fed, and worship was filled with youth-led devotions and music from seven guitarists. The talent show on Wednesday night featured an incredible original song from one of the campers.

A favorite tradition was the Prayer Partner exchange. Everyone prayed for a partner during the week and painted a rock to present as a keepsake. It’s powerful knowing someone is praying for you—and a blessing to pray for someone else.

We ended with a candlelight Eucharist Thursday night and one last “Make Work Worship” Friday morning before heading home. We completed meaningful projects, built friendships, and left with a deeper sense of what it means to be my neighbor.

Before we close, I want to pause and share a reflection I received from Gary Stanley. His words beautifully capture the heart and spirit of our week:

Gary Stanley’s Reflection:
We prayed. We worshiped. We sang. We served.
Lives were touched and lives were forever changed.
Christ nodded in approval. Christ smiled and was pleased.
Christ blessed people, and work, and worship.
Sunday, it rained. Monday & Tuesday, it rained. Wednesday & Thursday, it rained. However, the rain did not prevent or interrupt serving our neighbors. Rain did not dampen our Spirit.
One night, our group became ‘lightening bugs’ and we continue to let our light shine.
We knew that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit followed us everywhere we went.
We are grateful that all arrived and returned safely.
We took 10 vehicles and CONSERVATIVELY, we put over 8,800 miles on the 10 odometers.
We made new friendships and strengthened existing friendships. Friends are friends forever if the Lord’s the Lord of them and a lifetime is not too long to live as friends.
Our team had 3 sets of twins, 2 Annes, 2 Scotts, 2 Michaels, 2 Ellies and 2 Johns.
Our team gathered from Virginia and from Louisiana.
We loved on Luther who now only sees in his memories and in his dreams.
We loved on God. We loved on neighbors. We loved on pets. We loved on each other.
Musicians abound! I stopped counting musicians in our group after 11, good stuff!
What an awesome week of ministry and growth. May God continue to use us and direct our actions.
May God find us with humble and grateful hearts.
Sweet Sweet Eucharists on The Ridge Thursday night – so awesome.
The Church expanded and The Church grew.
Team, thank you for submitting and yielding to the Way of The New Testament. You matter and be reminded of your eternal value and worth.
Selah