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What is the SOWER
Work Mission?
The SOWER Work Mission Program makes building repairs for
individuals, families, churches and non-profit organizations who
cannot afford them. SOWER is located at the Epworth Center
in Bethesda, Ohio. The Epworth Center is a ministry of the
East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church, working
within the Southern Hills and Ohio Valley Districts.
SOWER has an ecumenical focus, welcoming groups from many
denominations.
What does SOWER stand for?
The acronym "SOWER" stands for "Sharing Our Witness Enriching
Relationships."
Read
Matthew 13: "The Parable of the Sower"
What if I'm not a
United Methodist?
The SOWER Work Mission has an ecumenical focus, and welcomes
groups from different denominations. As committed
Christians, you have the opportunity to make new friends and
fellowship with others that will enrich your lives.
I've never been to a work camp before. How do I get
started?
Our staff is here to assist you! We'll be glad to
discuss the SOWER Work Mission, work camps in general, and / or
your role as the leader of your work group. Let us know
how we can help you!You may find the
SOWER packet
a helpful resource.
What
should we expect from our SOWER experience?
Remember that your group CAN and will make a difference.
An integral part of SOWER is enriching relationships. Not
only are building repairs made, but lives are also touched.
Both the lives of the clients and SOWERS. One way to
describe the SOWER experience is by comments former groups have
made. These include:
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This was the best experience I’ve ever had. It has
made me feel so good.
This is a great way to do mission work. It is a
healthy balance of support for the group and freedom
for the group to develop its own character.
I had fun this week! Thanks!
For my first work mission I thought it was a good
experience with good and challenging projects.
The staff was so welcoming – I felt like part of the
family!
Thanks bunches! It was such an experience!
Very worthwhile project. I would come again in a
heartbeat.
I enjoyed my time here to serve and to learn!
Your food was spectacular! Yummm!
Good planning for the job. I appreciated the
flexibility to accommodate our group.
Working with you was very good. All questions were
answered.
Overall it was a good experience and we did enjoy
ourselves. You have a great camp.
Program at Center was solid. Our project family was
welcoming and very supportive. The church that
hosted our meals went above and beyond. |
What exactly do fees cover?
The basic work camp fee covers lodging and meals while at
the Epworth Center. The materials fee covers materials you
will use to make building repairs. Any materials fee
monies left over from your group are used for improvements at
the Epworth Center-- the lodge and cabins. Fees are as
follows: Work Camp Fees: $275/person; Materials: $1500 (group
size of up to 15) + $80/each additional person. In order
to register, a non-refundable $500 administrative fee is
required.
What meals are provided?
Meals are provided beginning with breakfast on Monday thru lunch
on Friday. Wednesday meals are dependent on if your group
takes its Fun Day. If so, your group is welcome to have
cereal, toast, etc. on Wednesday morning and then you must
provide your own lunch and dinner. Typically, on normal
work days, breakfast and dinner are provided by the Epworth
Center and lunch is provided at a local church near the job
site. Sometimes lunches need to be packed before leaving
Epworth. Your group is welcomed to bring snacks along or
you may take advantage of the Epworth Center's "canteen," which
helps fund our hunger ministry. We have snack items such
as chips, candy bars, suckers, gum, pop and bottled water
available for 25 or 50 cents, depending on the item.
What are the
sleeping facilities like?
The Epworth Center has five heated cabins
that sleep 52. Cabins 1-4 sleep eight; cabin 5 sleeps 12;
renovated cabin 2 sleeps 16.
Each cabin has restroom facilities with new showers. The
cabins have separate rooms with bunk beds. SOWERS must
provide their own bedding. If your group is larger than
52, you may also bring air mattresses and sleep in the Lodge
game room or library.
What
is the Epworth Center like?
The Epworth Center is located in a rural setting in Bethesda,
Ohio. The grounds are "tucked away" and are safe.
You may view photos of the grounds on our
HOME page or Pictures page.
Who comes to
the Epworth Center for SOWER?
Groups are comprised of youth, ages 12 and older, and
adults. One adult must accompany every five youth (five
girls with one female adult, five boys with one male adult).
The SOWER program welcomes those who will come as
Servants of
God, willing to do whatever is asked of them to complete the
task at hand. We ask that your group be so organized that
if something doesn't go as planned, you are able to take it in
stride and move on from that point.
What type
of work will we do for the clients?
Work groups tackle projects! Some examples include
siding, building handicap accessible ramps, decks, roofing, working with water lines, grounds
care, and heavy cleaning.
Who does SOWER help?
Criteria for clients is as follows: The person or
organization must be in financial need. The work
environment must be safe for the SOWERS, and the client needs to
exhibit appreciation for the work completed, because SOWERS give
of their time, talents and treasure. Clients in the past
have included the elderly, single mothers, those afflicted with
illness, churches, and non-profit organizations without the
funds to make necessary repairs themselves. We give
preference to mothers with children.
How are
SOWER Teams assigned to their projects?
Once you register for the SOWER Work Mission, you will
receive a packet that includes a "Skills Inventory List."
Each member of your work team fills this out, and then you
return them to us. We make decisions based on team skills
and the needs of our clients. We do our best to make a
good match! We have also began a "choose your own work
project" option for groups where they are able to pick a work
mission project from information and photos posted on our
website.
What do
we need to bring to the Epworth Center?
Once your register for the SOWER Program, you will receive a
packet that includes a list of things that each SOWER should
bring to the Epworth Center. We ask that each group bring
one large print Bible, which every member will sign and give to
the client at the end of the week. You also will need to
bring a hammer, paint brush and tool belt. We ask that
each group has at least one person with construction skill, as
well as someone to help in the kitchen.
What is a typical work
day like?
Breakfast is served at 7:00 a.m. After devotions, groups
travel to the worksite to begin their day. Breaks
are encouraged during the workday, so as not to over exhaust
yourself, especially on hot days. Lunch is usually served
at a nearby church around noon, or lunches are packed in the
morning. SOWERS return to the Epworth Center for the 6:00 p.m. dinner at the Lodge.
After the meal, groups are encouraged to relax, fellowship, or
visit a local attraction. There is a game room in the Lodge,
volleyball net and a fire ring that is perfect for s'mores.
There is also an outdoor chapel, which is a wonderful place for
peaceful reflections with God. All SOWERS are asked to
participate in the "Helping Hands" program. Upon arrival,
members are divided up into groups, such as "Bluebirds" and
"Robins," and each group is assigned daily cleaning tasks.
For example, in the kitchen, dining room, bathroom, and in your
cabin. Your participation is needed and appreciated!
Are SOWERS well supervised?
We ask that each group bring at least one capable person who can help
them accomplish their building tasks. The Epworth Center
does provide construction resource persons that can ask
questions and may go with you to the job site. If anyone
feels uncomfortable completing a certain task that is asked of them, they are not
expected to finish it. We
want to make sure everyone stays safe, and has a fun and memorable
experience.
What safety
precautions are taken?
"Safety" is a watch-word of the Epworth Center. It is
management's plan that everyone has a good experience while
participating in the SOWER Work Mission. Furthermore, we
want you to have a SAFE experience.
It is important to realize persons can have accidents; however,
there are people on-site to help if an accident should occur. We ask that no one
takes unnecessary risks, and that SOWERS follow the instruction
of the project supervisor and group leaders. A first aid
kit is taken to each work site. Appropriate clothes are
worn to the site, and work breaks are encouraged. We
stress drinking plenty of water. There is also an AED
located at Epworth Center.
What about insurance?
We ask that each camper have medical insurance through their
families, and that each group have work camp coverage. The East Ohio Conference does provide a
secondary insurance policy, in the case of an accident.
What do we do in the
evenings?
Evenings are a time for group meetings and a gathering
around the fire ring. There are a number of possibilities
in this area, such as swimming, going to the mall, fishing,
mini-golfing, bowling, and The Living Word Outdoor Drama.
Do we get a day off?
We encourage groups to take Wednesday off
for fun, relaxing and adventure. Local places of interest
include
Oglebay
Park in Wheeling, WV,
Barkcamp,
Kennywood,
Sandcastle,
Cedar Point,
Whitewater Rafting
in Pennsylvania, Bowling,
Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball,
Cleveland Indians Baseball,
Washington Wild Things Minor
League Baseball,
Ohio Valley Mall, Mini-Golfing, Laser Tag, Foggy Bottom in Wheeling, WV,
the Capitol Music
Hall in Wheeling, and the Towngate Theatre, also in Wheeling. (visit our
SOWER page for more
suggestions!)
Do we provide our
own transportation?
Yes. The Epworth Center does not provide
transportation to the work site. We ask that you supply
the necessary vehicles to transport your group. Also, it
is helpful if at least one of your team members brings a pickup truck.
What is
Helping Hands?
Your group is divided into "subgroups" of bird names for
Helping Hands. Each day the subgroups rotate to complete
various chores, such as kitchen help and restroom cleanup. The
chores are generally completed in the morning after breakfast or
in the evening after dinner. You will be provided with a
detailed list of chores upon arrival that explains what chores
should be completed when. Your participation is needed and
appreciated! We also ask that you keep your cabins picked
up daily.
When does our work week
begin?
We ask that your group arrive around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday for
orientation and to settle in. Meals are on your
own Sunday evening. Many of our groups order pizza for
delivery once they arrive. Breakfast is served at 7:00
a.m. on Monday morning and your work week then begins.
Contact the Epworth Center for more information or for answers
to questions you do not see!
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