Youth Missions and Service

St. Matthew's provides mission projects throughout the year in which all ages can participate and give back to the world. Junior and Senior Highs work in varied service projects throughout our community: our Food and Clothes Closets, Northern Virginia Training Center, homeless shelters, visits and concerts at care facilities and hospitals, and benefits for the Conference Youth Service Fund.

Our youth also have opportunities to be a part of mission trips. In the summer, the senior high youth group participates in the Appalachian Service Project and the junior high youth participate in the Jeremiah Project. Juniors and seniors in high school with previous mission experience are eligible to participate in the YouthWorks Puerto Rico Mission Trip. Our youth also may apply to be a part of the Virginia Conference Voices of Youth in Mission program. Each December, several of our high school seniors travel to Russia as part of a mission to the Russian orphanages.

Jeremiah Project - The Jeremiah Project was founded in 1997 by three Youth Ministers from the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church seeking to develop a Christ-centered mission trip experience designed specifically for Junior High students. The Jeremiah Project is called to serve God's people, to empower Junior High students to be servant leaders, to affirm them as children of God, to encourage them to embrace a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and to support them in their desire to become Christian disciples. During the summer, a team of Junior High youth and adult sponsors attend a week-long work camp performing home repair tasks and interacting with the family members living in those homes based in Romney, WV and Winchester, VA. All active seventh and eighth graders may apply. Register your interest with a $75 deposit (assistance available) by mid-October. Beyond the registration fee, the group holds several fundraisers to cover all other expenses.  A major fundraiser is the Pink Elephant rummage sale held in April. For more information, contact Rev. Herb Brynildsen or see the Jeremiah Project website.  Download the application to sign up.

Appalachian Service Project - The Appalachia Service Project is a home repair and home building ministry through which volunteers and staff repair and build homes for low-income families in rural Central Appalachia. ASP's goal is to make homes warmer, safer and drier, while offering transformational experiences and spiritual growth for volunteers and homeowners alike. St. Matthew's participates in the Summer Ministry Program, with teams of high school youth and their adult advisors spending a very educational and rewarding week helping the residents in Appalachia while also getting to know themselves and their team mates in a new and meaningful way. Participation is open to all Senior High Youth who:

• Complete the application form and covenant
• Actively participate in the Sr. UMYF, Sunday School, bells or choir
• Attend worship (Saturdays or Sundays) regularly, and
• Participate to the required ASP fundraising activities

For more information, contact Rev. Herb Brynildsen or see the ASP website.

YouthWorks Queens NYC Mission Trip - Each sumer YouthWorks participants run a Kids Club, a hands-on afternoon program led by your youth, offering high-energy games, crafts, skits, songs and interactive lessons all designed to help kids learn about Jesus. Groups also will work alongside numerous social service organizations to support children ministries, the elderly and the homeless. Evening activities during a YouthWorks week are designed to give volunteers an insight into the lives of local residents and the culture of the area. Participation is open to juniors and seniors in high school who:

• Have at least 2 previous ASP or high school mission trip experiences
• Complete the application form and covenant
• Actively participate in the Sr. UMYF, Sunday School, bells or choir
• Attend worship (Saturdays or Sundays) regularly, and
• Participate to the required fundraising activities

For more information, contact Rev. Herb Brynildsen or see the YouthWorks website.

Voices of Youth – Virginia high school students participate in a 3-1/2 week mission experience, receiving training in how the United Methodist Church answers the call to mission locally and throughout the world. They also come to understand the fruits of personal involvement in mission. Musical concerts are offered to local churches to challenge the church to become more involved in God’s mission. For more information contact Rev. Herb Brynildsen.