SAINT JOHN XXIII 2023 SERVICE TRIP TO BETHLEHEM FARM- ALDERSON, WEST VIRGINIA

INFO MEETING: January 22, 2023, 11:30am Oldershaw Hall, St. Nicholas

WHEN: July 29, 2023-August 5th or 6th, 2023

WHERE: Bethlehem Farm, Alderson, West Virginia (601 miles-10.25 hours from Evanston, plus stops. Note that Bethlehem Farm is in EST). For more info see https://bethlehemfarm.net/

COST: $325 per person for food, lodging and programming at site. Travel in rental vans is included, provided through fundraising. $50 non-refundable fee due on sign up. Sign up priority date is February 1, 2023. Spots are first come, first served. If we fill there will be a wait list. Note that others around the country are signing up for the Adult Week. Sign up is encouraged early to reserve your spot and for pre trip activities and trip planning. Balance is due May 15, 2023. Please contact us for sign up. Do not pay online. We will send the payment for our group.

WHO: This is an Adult Week. Participants must be 18 and older. Effective October 1, 2022 Bethlehem Farm will welcome anyone who confirms two negative Covid-19 test the week prior to arrival, with the second test taken the day prior to arrival, while following the CDC guidelines effective for your home county/city. Vaccinations for COVID are required.

WHAT:

We will work with Bethlehem Farm and serve the community needs. The work usually consists of light construction (roofing, building ramps, painting and minor repairs for elderly and persons with disabilities or other tasks appropriate to our age and ability level). We will also participate in cultural activities to experience the community, history, culture, and environment of this area.

WHY:

-We go to be a church of encounter. We will work in solidarity to make improvements requested by the community.

-We are on a pilgrimage to be changed, share our experience and become agents of change.

-Our understanding and empathy grow as we stand on another’s land, in their sacred space and with their community. News stories now come with faces and lives.

-Our witness becomes more direct, credible and impactful.

-In the end….we learn to love better.

DID YOU KNOW?

General Summers Co. Statistics

Population: 13,531 (of 1,818,470 in WV). Land Area: 361.17 square miles. Population Per sq. mile: 35.99.County Seat: Hinton. Minority Population: Summers 8.4% WV 4.8%.

Housing (2000)

Owner-occupied housing units Summers 59.7% WV 65.5% National 60.2%. Average number of household members Summers 2.33 WV 2.47 National 2.71. Median year structure was built Summers 1967 WV 1970 National 1971. In Summers Co., 22% of homes were built prior to 1939. Median value Summers $53,800 WV $66,000 National $111,800. Median rent Summers $207 WV $311 National $519. Median Household Income (2004). Summers $24,114 WV $33,993, National $41,994.

Poverty (2000) Local 2,789, 22.8%. Percent of children in extreme poverty (income below 50% of poverty level): WV 34% National 9%. Children living with parents who do not have full time, year round employment: WV 38% (50th in US) National 27%. Juvenile violent crime and arrest rate (per 100,000 youth 10-17): WV 86 National 412 (1997). Percent of low-income children without health insurance: WV 13% National 25%

Education (2000) (25 years and older, highest level of attainment) High school graduates: (includes equivalency) Summers 40.2% WV 39.4% National 28.6%. Some college, or associate's degree: Summers 15.1% WV 21.0% National 27.4%. Bachelor's degree: Summers 6.5% WV 8.9% National 15.5%. Master's, professional or doctorate degree: Summers 3.6% WV 5.9% National 8.9%.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

From light construction and many other forms of household and property maintenance, volunteers will make a difference in the lives of so many.

Pope Francis calls us to be a church of encounter. Join us when St. John XXIII goes far beyond our borders to the West Virginia and you will be transformed. You will see what is often unseen and return with a deeper understanding of and stronger sense of community with our sisters and brothers.