Brethren Service Center (New Windsor)
Distribution of material resources around the world on behalf of Church World Service and Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA) World Health among others.

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Contact: New Windsor Conference Center
   500 Main Street, P.O. Box 188
   New Windsor, MD  21776-0188
E-Mail:   chahn@brethren.org or nwcc_gb@brethren.org
Phone:  800.766.1553 or 410.635.8794
Fax:  410.635.8719
Website: www.brethren.org "Brethren Service Center"

The Brethren Service Center (on behalf of Church World Service and other church organizations) inventories, packs and ships goods around the world routinely and during times of crisis.

Project/Focus:  SERRV:  A Greater Gift and the warehouse, Material Resources warehouse, and shipping for Church World Service "Gift of the Heart" kits rely on volunteers to help ship material resources.

Educational/Advocacy Components: Staff provides orientation tour of Brethren Service Center.  Material goods are processed and shipped on behalf of the following organizations.  Group leaders are responsible for other programming.

Church of the Brethren ; Lutheran World Relief ; Church World Service;  Interchurch Medical Assistance World Health ;American Baptist White Cross; Presbyterian Women’s Dept. ; Evangelical Covenant Church; Feeding the Nations; Global Assistance; International Orthodox Christian Charities 

Time: Year-round. Groups may come for one day or several days at a time, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Minimum Age:  14 years (Ages 14-16 require parental consent in writing.)

Conditions:  New Windsor Conference Center is available for lodging.

Cost:  Those coming from out of town may stay overnight at the New Windsor Conference Center at a discounted rate. Lunch is provided at no charge for those working six hours or more.  Contact conference coordinator for rates.

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Meeting Ground, Inc.

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Contact:  Udo Sommerhoff, Mission Trip Coordinator
Email: missiontrip@meetingground.org
Phone: 443.406.0786
Website: http://www.meetingground.org
Facebook:  Meeting Ground

Meeting Ground helps people meet basic human needs and addresses the root problems that perpetuate the cycle of homelessness and poverty.  Individuals and families experiencing homelessness find a temporary "safe haven" at Meeting Ground where they can regroup and put their lives in order with the help and support of a caring community which is rooted in Christian values.  Meeting Ground addresses:  emergency and transitional housing programs for families and single adults; shelter diversion, rapid re-housing, long term permanent supportive housing; serving meals and emergency food; helping individuals and families transition from being homeless; providing education, advocacy, and resources; volunteer mission groups.

Project/Focus:  Group projects may include:  Light construction, roofing, painting, gardening & landscaping, special cleaning projects, sorting donated clothing.

Educational/Advocacy Components:  Interaction with residents at Clairvaux Farm and other Meeting Ground programs provide a human face for issues of homelessness.  Please plan games or other activities that are appropriate for a range of ages from 7 through teens, and try to bring all necessary materials or equipment with you.  Groups participate in regular community life by sharing meals with Clairvaux residents and workers, and by sharing in meal preparation and clean up under the direction of the Clairvaux Farm workers.  Groups are also encouraged to participate in Meeting Ground's scheduled chapel/worship services while on site.

Time: During June, July, August - one week, Sunday through Saturday, rest of the year days or weekends.

Group Size:  up to 25

Minimum Age:  14 years

Adult to Youth Ratio:  1 to 10

Conditions:  Mission trip participants stay in the Mission House at Clairvaux Farm, the Meeting Ground facility located 18 miles south of Elkton, MD, near the Chesapeake Bay.  The facility sits on 20 acres and provides shelter to homeless families and individuals.  Large fields are available for games.  Woods, nature trail, outside pavilion and campfire area are available for use.  The Mission House is air conditioned and heated, has 5 sleeping rooms, 2 common rooms and 2 toilet and shower facilities.  We provide 15 beds plus 10 additional mattresses.

Cost:  $30/person/night for lodging and food.  Groups contribute toward materials used in projects, typically $500-$2,000.  A deposit of $500 of this total is due upon registration to hold the date for your group for week long mission trips.

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