This Olde Church identifies in-state VIM projects
02-03-2009This Olde Church is a new approach to mission outreach that puts Volunteers in Mission (VIM) to work close to home.
Developed last fall by Arkansas Conference VIM coordinator Don Weeks, This Olde Church aims to revitalize United Methodist churches in Arkansas. Local churches are invited to request that a VIM team lend a hand with small repairs to the church and grounds. The work can be general repairs, interior or exterior painting, weatherproofing, cleaning, yard work, landscaping, construction of handicap ramps, etc. Teams are not permitted to do roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating and air and foundation work.
“In visiting many smaller country churches,” Weeks said, “I soon realized what bad shape some of them are in.”
Pairing workers willing to do the labor with churches in need right here in Arkansas made sense to Weeks.
The host church is asked to provide a place for the VIM team members to sleep, a place for them to eat, and a place to shower. The team then brings its own food, bedding and any tools and materials they’ll use for the church project.
“This is what we do when we go to Mexico or other places to do VIM work,” Weeks said.
There is no age limit on who can be part of a VIM team, Weeks said. “I’m thinking we’ll see some teen-agers on teams this summer,” he said, “and that’s great!”
Churches requesting assistance must first complete a This Olde Church application form and submit it to their district superintendent. If approved, the request is forwarded to Weeks, who matches needs with VIM teams who’ve expressed interest in helping.
“I think over a period of time we can get some of these churches looking better,” Weeks said.
He also predicted that the program would result in some new partnerships among congregations that may not have known each other or worked together before.
“It’s a connectional thing,” Weeks said. “It will show that we care about our churches all over Arkansas and we want to help them if we can.”
For more details about This Olde Church, contact Weeks at (501) 681-2909 or dweeks@arumc.org. Application forms are available in the Volunteers in Mission section of the Conference Web site, www.arumc.org.
