WORSHIP
Spiritual Formation as Worship
A Work Retreat is a continuous worship experience with each activity being a catalyst to spiritual formation. It is our desire to cast a vision for spiritual formation to help us see that whatever we are doing, and the attitude that we bring to it are all acts of worship…offering up our lives as living sacrifices. We do what we do because of what God has done in us. Part of this spiritual formation experience is recognizing that God is always speaking to us in many and various ways in order to draw us into His goodness. But are we willing to listen? Are we willing to receive the goodness God has for us?
The Development of Relationships as Worship
Relational engagement is not just a by-product of the service; it is the reason we do what we do. It is the formation of relationships that is transformational. We must constantly be asking ourselves if the “connection” is happening. Connecting people is the heart beat of the mission of Good Works. We must foster, nurture and enable these relationships to take place in each of the contexts into which we are serving.
Part of this relational development is among the group members themselves. We want the Work Retreat to be an opportunity for you to deepen their relationships with one another. In addition, we want you to develop relationships with GW staff, interns and our local volunteers. And we especially want to see you connect with those in the community we are serving.
Service as Worship
We also want a Work Retreat to be a time when the group accomplishes something that makes a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve and for the ministry of Good Works. These tasks are an important part of the Work Retreat experience, because the task is the catalyst to spiritual formation and the development of relationships.
Worship That is Transformational
The overall objective of the Work Retreat experience is transformation of all who are involved – staff, interns, volunteers and those we serve. We experience the Kingdom of God by creating relational connections with people that cross social and economic boundaries. This we believe leads to the transformation of our lives.
We view the planning of your Work Retreat as a joint effort. While we have a structure we are working with, we also want to be attentive to the unique needs of your family.
Your Commitment
Good Works volunteer opportunities are designed to be dependent on people who will come and serve. We want to move each family along the continuum from “I want to serve” to “I am going to serve.” As you begin the process of planning for your family to come, willingness translates into commitment and we plan accordingly. In other words, the projects we plan for you are based not on your willingness to come, but on your commitment to come. For that commitment we are grateful. We cannot do this work apart from your commitment to come and serve.
Depending on the time of year you come to serve, your family will be involved with several GW ministries such as Neighbors Helping Neighbors Kids Discovery Club Summer Lunch GW Development Projects, The Timothy House Friday Night Life and various maintenance needs of the ministry. We have made commitments to people in our community on the basis of your commitment to come serve with us.
The worst possible scenario is when a group or a family makes a commitment to us and then has to cancel because of lack of participation or a change in plans. Your commitment is important to us and as you commit to us, we also are committing to you. Thanks for honoring this commitment.
If it becomes necessary for you to cancel, please consult with us first. Maybe there is some adjustment that we can make so you can keep your commitment. We want you to come and we want to do all that we can to make that possible. People have trusted us with their need and we are trusting you to help us meet that need.
Thank you for keeping your commitment to us.
Requested Donation
May the following serve as a guideline…
Our desire is to make serving as a family as accessible as possible. The Requested Donation for a Family Work Retreat, whether one-day or weeklong is a $100 deposit which is due with the application. This is good for any size family.
While there is no specific Requested Donation for the actual day of service, or for a Work Retreat of several days and nights, we do encourage families to consider an additional offering. Good Works has many needs that we are trusting God to meet. If you are able or would like to help with the cost of any of these needs, please let us know.
You may also want to consider making a donation to our Neighbors Helping Neighbors materials fund. Good Works does not provide materials for these projects. It is beyond our resources to do so. But a contribution from your group can make a significant impact on someone who is requesting assistance. For example, materials for a wheel chair ramp cost around $800 depending on the length. While this is a need people have, the funds for the ramp materials are often lacking. Your family can step into this gap and make a significant difference in someone’s life.
Why do we call this a donation?
Although this could be called a fee that is due, we prefer to consider it a donation. We want Work Retreats to be accessible to all groups and families of various economic levels. Each year we have a few groups come that are not able to give the requested amount to us. We recognize that for some churches and groups this donation request can be a challenge. For others, this is not difficult. Please do not allow this request to stop you from coming and serving with us. We would like to adjust this donation according to the circumstances of your group. If you find that this suggested amount is too much, please discuss this with us so we can work with you to come up with a more workable option. Your presence with us and the relationships that will form is what is most important to us.
The Requested Donation is what makes Work Retreats possible. It is an important financial resource to fund the maintenance and development of the Good Works properties and facilities. It also helps to defray the expenses associated with your stay in the Hannah House. Most importantly, your support enables the ministry of our staff, interns and volunteers, including your group, to make an impact into countless lives of people in our community.
Your Arrival
Before you arrive, we encourage you to stop to have dinner with you group on your way to Good Works. This will facilitate getting settled into the Hannah House. Suggested arrival time is 7:00. If you need something different, just talk with us as you are planning the Work Retreat.
When you arrive on the Good Works property, several people will welcome you. One of these are your Host for the evening. You will likely know their name before you arrive, so you will know who to look for. This person is available to you as needed. Feel free to seek them out for anything that comes up.
Initially your host will help you to get settled into the Hannah House, the facility where you will be staying. They will show you some essentials so you can unload, unpack and unwind from your trip. They will also talk with you to arrange a time to bring everyone together for...
Orientation
The Orientation is the welcoming of your community to the Good Works community. Together we will form a community of hope for our week together. This time is intended to open up the lines of communication between you, your group and the GW community. We want to use this time to learn about your community. And we want to give your group an initial introduction to GW in general and the Hannah House, where you will be staying, in specific. This will take about 45 minutes and is a great time for the members of your family to ask questions.
Monday morning will be a morning leadership check-in. This is to make sure nothing has been missed as we begin our week together. We want to let you know we are here to listen to any concerns you have and to address these in the best way possible. This will include a discussion about Friday Night Life with the Friday Night Life coordinator.
Communication Through The Week
Monday morning will be a morning leadership check-in. This is to make sure nothing has been missed as we begin our week together. We want to let you know we are here to listen to any concerns you have and to address these in the best way possible. This will include a discussion about Friday Night Life with the Friday Night Life coordinator.
Wednesday morning we will have a brief check-in time to make sure things are going ok. This is a great time to bring up any concerns so we can make mid-week adjustments.
Friday at around 1:00, we will have an evaluation time with you as the leader of your group. Our desire is to hear from you and learn how we can grow in leading Work Retreat experiences. We also want to hear about any difficulties you have had during the week. Your honest feedback helps us to do this better!
A word about reconciled relationships
Living in reconciled relationships is a high priority for the staff of Good Works both with one another and with the larger community. We are committed to resolving any conflicts or issues of concern that come up while you are with us. We have attempted to put in place a structure that will facilitate this, but our efforts to reconciliation must go beyond just following a structure. Together we must commit to one another to live in a reconciled relationship. You are free and have our permission to approach us at anytime about any issue that comes up during our time together. Our desire is to provide you with a positive, life-changing experience of relational service. But these efforts will be undermined by unmet expectations and unresolved conflicts. Please help us to not let this happen by talking with us about any difficulties that are surfacing.
Thank you for helping us to communicate well!
WORSHIP
Spiritual Formation as Worship
A Work Retreat is a continuous worship experience with each activity being a catalyst to spiritual formation. It is our desire to cast a vision for spiritual formation to help us see that whatever we are doing, and the attitude that we bring to it are all acts of worship…offering up our lives as living sacrifices. We do what we do because of what God has done in us. Part of this spiritual formation experience is recognizing that God is always speaking to us in many and various ways in order to draw us into His goodness. But are we willing to listen? Are we willing to receive the goodness God has for us?
The Development of Relationships as Worship
Relational engagement is not just a by-product of the service; it is the reason we do what we do. It is the formation of relationships that is transformational. We must constantly be asking ourselves if the “connection” is happening. Connecting people is the heart beat of the mission of Good Works. We must foster, nurture and enable these relationships to take place in each of the contexts into which we are serving.
Part of this relational development is among the group members themselves. We want the Work Retreat to be an opportunity for you to deepen their relationships with one another. In addition, we want you to develop relationships with GW staff, interns and our local volunteers. And we especially want to see you connect with those in the community we are serving.
Service as Worship
We also want a Work Retreat to be a time when the group accomplishes something that makes a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve and for the ministry of Good Works. These tasks are an important part of the Work Retreat experience, because the task is the catalyst to spiritual formation and the development of relationships.
Worship That is Transformational
The overall objective of the Work Retreat experience is transformation of all who are involved – staff, interns, volunteers and those we serve. We experience the Kingdom of God by creating relational connections with people that cross social and economic boundaries. This we believe leads to the transformation of our lives.
We view the planning of your Work Retreat as a joint effort. While we have a structure we are working with, we also want to be attentive to the unique needs of your family.
Your Commitment
Good Works volunteer opportunities are designed to be dependent on people who will come and serve. We want to move each family along the continuum from “I want to serve” to “I am going to serve.” As you begin the process of planning for your family to come, willingness translates into commitment and we plan accordingly. In other words, the projects we plan for you are based not on your willingness to come, but on your commitment to come. For that commitment we are grateful. We cannot do this work apart from your commitment to come and serve.
Depending on the time of year you come to serve, your family will be involved with several GW ministries such as Neighbors Helping Neighbors Kids Discovery Club Summer Lunch GW Development Projects, The Timothy House Friday Night Life and various maintenance needs of the ministry. We have made commitments to people in our community on the basis of your commitment to come serve with us.
The worst possible scenario is when a group or a family makes a commitment to us and then has to cancel because of lack of participation or a change in plans. Your commitment is important to us and as you commit to us, we also are committing to you. Thanks for honoring this commitment.
If it becomes necessary for you to cancel, please consult with us first. Maybe there is some adjustment that we can make so you can keep your commitment. We want you to come and we want to do all that we can to make that possible. People have trusted us with their need and we are trusting you to help us meet that need.
Thank you for keeping your commitment to us.
Requested Donation
May the following serve as a guideline…
Our desire is to make serving as a family as accessible as possible. The Requested Donation for a Family Work Retreat, whether one-day or weeklong is a $100 deposit which is due with the application. This is good for any size family.
While there is no specific Requested Donation for the actual day of service, or for a Work Retreat of several days and nights, we do encourage families to consider an additional offering. Good Works has many needs that we are trusting God to meet. If you are able or would like to help with the cost of any of these needs, please let us know.
You may also want to consider making a donation to our Neighbors Helping Neighbors materials fund. Good Works does not provide materials for these projects. It is beyond our resources to do so. But a contribution from your group can make a significant impact on someone who is requesting assistance. For example, materials for a wheel chair ramp cost around $800 depending on the length. While this is a need people have, the funds for the ramp materials are often lacking. Your family can step into this gap and make a significant difference in someone’s life.
Why do we call this a donation?
Although this could be called a fee that is due, we prefer to consider it a donation. We want Work Retreats to be accessible to all groups and families of various economic levels. Each year we have a few groups come that are not able to give the requested amount to us. We recognize that for some churches and groups this donation request can be a challenge. For others, this is not difficult. Please do not allow this request to stop you from coming and serving with us. We would like to adjust this donation according to the circumstances of your group. If you find that this suggested amount is too much, please discuss this with us so we can work with you to come up with a more workable option. Your presence with us and the relationships that will form is what is most important to us.
The Requested Donation is what makes Work Retreats possible. It is an important financial resource to fund the maintenance and development of the Good Works properties and facilities. It also helps to defray the expenses associated with your stay in the Hannah House. Most importantly, your support enables the ministry of our staff, interns and volunteers, including your group, to make an impact into countless lives of people in our community.
Your Arrival
Before you arrive, we encourage you to stop to have dinner with you group on your way to Good Works. This will facilitate getting settled into the Hannah House. Suggested arrival time is 7:00. If you need something different, just talk with us as you are planning the Work Retreat.
When you arrive on the Good Works property, several people will welcome you. One of these are your Host for the evening. You will likely know their name before you arrive, so you will know who to look for. This person is available to you as needed. Feel free to seek them out for anything that comes up.
Initially your host will help you to get settled into the Hannah House, the facility where you will be staying. They will show you some essentials so you can unload, unpack and unwind from your trip. They will also talk with you to arrange a time to bring everyone together for...
Orientation
The Orientation is the welcoming of your community to the Good Works community. Together we will form a community of hope for our week together. This time is intended to open up the lines of communication between you, your group and the GW community. We want to use this time to learn about your community. And we want to give your group an initial introduction to GW in general and the Hannah House, where you will be staying, in specific. This will take about 45 minutes and is a great time for the members of your family to ask questions.
Monday morning will be a morning leadership check-in. This is to make sure nothing has been missed as we begin our week together. We want to let you know we are here to listen to any concerns you have and to address these in the best way possible. This will include a discussion about Friday Night Life with the Friday Night Life coordinator.
Communication Through The Week
Monday morning will be a morning leadership check-in. This is to make sure nothing has been missed as we begin our week together. We want to let you know we are here to listen to any concerns you have and to address these in the best way possible. This will include a discussion about Friday Night Life with the Friday Night Life coordinator.
Wednesday morning we will have a brief check-in time to make sure things are going ok. This is a great time to bring up any concerns so we can make mid-week adjustments.
Friday at around 1:00, we will have an evaluation time with you as the leader of your group. Our desire is to hear from you and learn how we can grow in leading Work Retreat experiences. We also want to hear about any difficulties you have had during the week. Your honest feedback helps us to do this better!
A word about reconciled relationships
Living in reconciled relationships is a high priority for the staff of Good Works both with one another and with the larger community. We are committed to resolving any conflicts or issues of concern that come up while you are with us. We have attempted to put in place a structure that will facilitate this, but our efforts to reconciliation must go beyond just following a structure. Together we must commit to one another to live in a reconciled relationship. You are free and have our permission to approach us at anytime about any issue that comes up during our time together. Our desire is to provide you with a positive, life-changing experience of relational service. But these efforts will be undermined by unmet expectations and unresolved conflicts. Please help us to not let this happen by talking with us about any difficulties that are surfacing.
Thank you for helping us to communicate well!
The links that are included below will take you to the Good Works website where you will find more complete descriptions of the initiatives listed.
The Development of Relationships
Relational engagement is not just a by-product of the service; it is the reason we do what we do. It is the formation of relationships that is transformational. We must constantly be asking ourselves if the “connection” is happening. Connecting people is the heart beat of the mission of Good Works. We must foster, nurture and enable these relationships to take place in each of the contexts into which we are serving.
Part of this relational development is among the group members themselves. We want the Work Retreat to be an opportunity for you to deepen your relationships with one another. In addition, we want you to develop relationships with GW staff, interns and our local volunteers. And we especially want to see you connect with those in the community we are serving.
Service
We also want a Work Retreat to be a time when the group accomplishes something that makes a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve and for the ministry of Good Works. These tasks are an important part of the Work Retreat experience, because the task is the catalyst to transformation and the development of relationships.
Transformation
It is our hope that a Work Retreat experience can be transformational for everyone involved...those being served and those serving.
Planning the Work Retreat
We view the planning of your Work Retreat as a joint effort. While we have a structure we are working with, we also want to be attentive to the unique needs of your group.
Good Works welcomes schools who want to offer a service alternative during breaks from school. These can be arranged as will best fit into the school calendar. These can be arranged for high schools, colleges and universities. We can set up and arrival day and departure day based on what will work best for your group. If you are considering something for the Summer, June through August, consider a Summer Service Work Retreat, arriving on Sunday and leaving on Saturday.
Your Commitment
Good Works has always developed ministries of loving our neighbors with the commitment of welcoming people from the community to volunteer to serve with staff, interns and the people we are seeking to help. In other words, without you, we don't do what we do. The structures we create are designed to invite people into the community. We are making a commitment to you on the basis that you are making a commitment to Good Works. And it is out of these commitments that we experience the growth that comes through building relationships.
Most Alternative Spring Break groups are made up of 10-12 people. If you expect that your group will be larger than this, please speak with us first about this.
The ASB Work Retreat Application
The application for an Alternative Spring Break Work Retreat provides you with some basic information about this initial step and provides us with a basic sense of your group. Once we have your application and deposit, the week you requested will be confirmed and set aside for your group.
The ASB Team Profile
The Team Profile is the next document we will need. This provides us with the detailed information about your group that will help us to plan for your Work Retreat.
- Who is coming: anything you provide is helpful. Age group, special interests or skills are all helpful in planning for who your group will serve.
- Arrival and departure times: This gives us an idea of when we can expect you. Please let us know if we need to make special arrangements for your arrival.
- The goals for your Work Retreat: We want to work with you to meet your goals for this experience.
- Who are the key leaders of your group.
Administrative Fee
...for an Alternative Spring Break Work Retreat
May the following serve as a guideline:
The administrative fee for an ASB Work Retreat is a $200 deposit, which is due with the application. The receipt of the application and deposit secures the dates of your Work Retreat. In addition, we request $30 per person per night of stay.
The remaining balance of the administrative fee (this is the total of the $30 per person per night) is due with the Team Profile along with the Volunteer Releases.
Why an administrative fee?
The administrative fee helps to make Work Retreats possible. The expenses associated with a Work Retreat are significant, including the costs of providing housing, staff oversight, transportation expenses and materials. Most importantly, your support enables the work of our staff, interns and volunteers, including your group, to make a commitment and an impact into the lives of the people in our community. If you find that this amount is too much, please discuss this with us so we can work with you to come up with a more workable option. Your presence with us and the relationships that will form is what is most important to us.
At the center of the Work Retreat experience is the desire to develop relationships that honor one another. How we do what we do is more important than what we do and who we are comes before what we do. What follows is an intentional effort to do this.
Your Arrival
For groups that are coming for overnight Work Retreats, we encourage you to stop to have dinner with your group on your way to Good Works. This will facilitate getting settled into the Hannah House. Suggested arrival time is 7:00, but this can vary. If you need something different, just talk with us as you are planning the Work Retreat.
Initially your host will help you to get settled into the Hannah House, the facility where you will be staying. They will show you some essentials so you can unload, unpack and unwind from your trip. They will also talk with you to arrange a time to bring everyone together for...
Orientation
The Orientation is the welcoming of your community to the Good Works community. Together we will form a community of hope for our time together. The Orientation is intended to open up the lines of communication between you, your group and the GW community. We want to use this time to learn about your ASB group coming to serve. And we want to give your group an initial introduction to GW in general and the Hannah House, where you will be staying, in specific. This will take about 45 minutes and is a great time for the members of your group to ask questions.
Communication During the Work Retreat
Our morning times will be the primary time of communication with the group as we discuss the various aspects of Good Works as well as the details of how you will be serving. Please do not hesitate to bring to our attention any issues of concern that may come up.
However, please feel free to speak with Good Works leadership assigned to your group for any issues that arise. As the leader of your ASB experience, our primary communication will be with you.
A word about reconciled relationships
Living in reconciled relationships is a high priority for the staff of Good Works both with one another and with the larger community. We are committed to resolving any conflicts or issues of concern that come up while you are with us. We have attempted to put in place a structure that will facilitate this, but our efforts to reconciliation must go beyond just following a structure. Together we must commit to one another to live in a reconciled relationship. You are free and have our permission to approach us at anytime about any issue that comes up during our time together. Our desire is to provide you with a positive, life-changing experience of relational service. But these efforts will be undermined by unmet expectations and unresolved conflicts. Please help us to not let this happen by talking with us about any difficulties that are surfacing.
Your group is a community joining another community.
Together we will form a Community of Hope for the week.
All the Work Retreat groups of Good Works participate in the community that lives in the Hannah House. You will be joining us in various aspects of our life together. One of the goals for the Work Retreat experience is to build up the community life of your group and we endeavor to do this through sharing life together in this context. What follows is a description of some of the people you will encounter while staying in the Hannah House during your Work Retreat.
The Community Life Coordinator
This person oversees the life of the community in the context of the house. They are intentionally focusing on the development of the Christian community that is living together, whether that is for a year or for a few days. This is sometimes a single person and sometimes a couple sharing this responsibility. They live on the second floor of the house. They are available for you during your week with us.
Your group may be living with our Appalachian Immersion Interns. These young men and women have felt a call to grow in discipleship and leadership. One aspect of their experience is living with the Hannah House community. They also live on the second floor of the house.
Appalachian Immersion is a 3-9 month full-time internship, getting involved in many of the initiatives of Good Works and developing relationships with our neighbors who are struggling with poverty.
Guests
Hannah House is our primary space for extending hospitality to the many people who come to visit. So it is likely that there will be other guests in the house while you are here. Although we often have guests come on short notice, we will try to let you know who will be sharing the house with you.
Hannah House is also where residents live who are seeking a more stable environment and a longer term solution to their housing situation. This program is called Life In Transition and serves residents of the Timothy House. These single men and women have lived in the Timothy House for a period of time, have demonstrated a desire to participate in community and have gone through an extensive application process. We believe that they will not only benefit from the community, but will also contribute to the community.
Your group will be joining these who are living in the Hannah House creating a unique community living experience.
You will be staying in two large, air-conditioned dorm rooms, each with 15 beds, one room for women and one room for men. Mattresses with fitted sheets are provided, but please have each member of your group bring their own bedding (though if someone comes without, just talk with us).
Adjacent to the dorm rooms, is the bathroom your group will use. It is one bathroom - we call it the community builder! - with two toilets, two showers and two sinks. There is a sign on the door that switches from men to women. We ask that people keep their showers to 5 minutes to make sure everyone can get a hot shower.
Regarding dress, we have two broad guidelines:
1. Safety during the day. Dressing appropriately for the tasks you will be doing is important. Shoes that cover the foot and are secured to the foot are required. Sandals are not permitted on projects. Please have gloves for each members of the group.
2. Modesty at all times. Shirts are required. Tank tops and short shorts are inappropriate. Since men and women are sharing a bathroom, dress when moving between the bathroom and dorms should be carefully considered.
The Process of Leadership Development
There are two key leadership roles that should be assigned during the planning of your Work Retreat. Occasionally the group leader takes on all of these roles, but this can become a bit overwhelming with a large group. Consider helping others grow in their leadership development by assigning these to others:
The Meal Coordinator - This person is responsible for planning and preparing meals for the group for the week. You can assign others to work with them. The section that follows provides information about Meals with Good Works, which should be shared with this person.
The Chore Coordinator - There are many tasks associated with a group living together for a week. This person is in a key role for seeing these and delegating them to the members of the group.
Meals with Good Works
We believe that sharing a meal together is a context for personal and community growth, especially when our meals go across cultural, economic and social boundaries. These meals
are an opportunity for us to come together to be nourished physically and spiritually. And together we give thanks. Your group is assisting us in making this experience possible.
What we are asking from you...
During a Work Retreat, we turn our kitchen over to you for the preparation of your meals. You are responsible for providing and preparing meals for the members of your group. That being stated, in practice, this is more of a shared experience.
Our basic request is that you include the people who are living in the Hannah House in your meals. From September through May, this can vary, but it is usually 2-5 people living in the house plus guests who may be present. The schedule you receive prior to your Work Retreat will clarify how many people are living in the house during your visit.
We also ask for you to include people in the community in your lunch plans. This can be as basic as putting out lunch meat and chips. On Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, this lunch may include our Transformation Station volunteers, who are volunteering just like you are but are also seeking a resource such as a vehicle. This becomes a wonderful opportunity in the middle of the day for people to come together. The number participating varies a great deal, but usually 5-10 people from GW are sharing a meal with the members of your group.
Your group will also be serving someone through Neighbors Helping Neighbors, in which we help people with needs at their home. There are times when you will return to the Good Works property for lunch, and other times when you will stay at the person's home. When the members of your group will remain at the home of the person being served, they will need to bring their lunches. Usually this is for 3-5 from your group plus the Good Works staff or intern who will be with your group. We also ask that you include a lunch for the person you will be serving so that it can be a community experience.
Your group may also be present as a sponsoring or participating group in Friday Night Life, our weekly community meal. After the Work Retreat is set up, the Coordinator for Friday Night Life will discuss the details of this with you.
What we are providing to you...
As our contribution to the meals you are providing, you are welcome to use the food in our food pantries. This is non-perishable food that has been donated to Good Works. While this will not completely cover the meals for the week, we hope it will be a contribution toward these meals. There may also be a perishable contribution that comes in that must be used. Please do your shopping for meal preparation after you see what we have to contribute.
Two members of your group may be participating in a meal at the Timothy House in the evening. There are several factors involved in this happening, but we do hope that your group will take advantage of this relational opportunity to share a meal with someone from our community who is struggling with their current situation. Following dinner, you may also be able to participate in evening activities, but mostly spending time with the residents.
Kitchen pictures go here.
Gratitude
The intentional practice of gratitude is part of the meal experience with Good Works. Before we begin filling our plates with the food that has been provided by your Meal Coordinator, we offer thanks. This is done by sharing our name and something we are grateful for at this particular moment. The practice of gratitude is en essential aspect of healthy community, changing out perspective about the world around us.
Service During the Work Retreat
Our acts of service - our good deeds - arise out of a life lived with gratitude..
We offer ourselves to others out of gratitude for what we have received.
We overflow!
Our acts of service truly are offerings of gratitude. There is something transforming that takes place in us when we in humility offer to help another in a way that honors their dignity. We give and we received in a way that honors the relational connection between us and those around us.
Areas of Service
Throughout your Work Retreat with us, you will be involved with several GW initiatives seeking to love our neighbors. In each of these, we view the service experience as a catalyst to the development of a relationship.
You will be serving our elderly and disabled neighbors with needs they have on their property. We seek to address many needs, some as simple as mowing and yard work, and other skilled tasks such as building a ramp or replacing rotting floors.
Good Works Development and Maintenance Projects
With the help of many volunteers, Good Works has grown in its capacity to respond to the needs of people in our community who are struggling with poverty through community based initiatives. These volunteers have also helped us to keep these properties in good order, keeping them safe for the community. Your group will be involved in these throughout the Work Retreat.
If your Work Retreat includes a Friday, your group will have the opportunity to be the Sponsoring Group or a Participating Group in Friday Night Life. This is a large community meal serving 50-75 people plus the members of your group. After the Work Retreat is set up (application and deposit submitted), the Coordinator for Friday Night Life will contact you to get your group set up for your role in Friday Night Life.
Good Works Staff and Interns with Your Group
Your group will be serving alongside our staff and interns. We have several objectives in our leadership role with your group:
Supervise the Overall Experience
Our staff and interns will oversee the project assigned to your group. In some cases, they will have the skills to accomplish this and you can rely on their leadership to do this. At other times we will rely on the skills of your group to complete the project. In either case, we ask that you be attentive the GW leadership provided. For teen ASB groups who come to serve, we ask that there be one adult present for every four teens in your group and that there be an adult present where the project is being completed. The staff or intern are also responsible to make sure you have safe, working equipment available. We also want to make sure that the necessary materials are on site to the best of our ability, though it is not unusual to make additional trips for unexpected material needs.
Be attentive to safety issues
It is our priority to keep everyone safe. We do all that we can to create a safe environment for the members of your group. If we see an unsafe behavior or situation, we will do our best to address this quickly and with respect. You can help us keep people safe by using your eyes and ears as well.
Good Works has many individual and group volunteer opportunities. All of these have the mission of Good Works — to connect people from all walks of life with people struggling with poverty so that the kingdom of God can be experienced — as a central focal point. On average, we have about 1000 volunteer participating in these volunteer opportunities each year. It is our desire that at some point during your Work Retreat you will connect with these volunteers.
Our interns have made a commitment to the community for the sake of growing in their discipleship journey with the Lord. There are several internships with which you may intersect:
Appalachian Immersion - a full-time experience that could be anywhere from 3-12 months long, living in the Hannah House.
Hannah House Internship - a part-time internship for those still in school of varying lengths while living in the Hannah House.
Week of Service - this is a week-long volunteer opportunity for anyone 16 and older who wants to experience the community of Good Works while living in the Hannah House.
Other Groups
Occasionally we have more than one group present at a time. This could be a family who is staying in the Hannah House with you. Sometimes another volunteer group will be present. And at other times you may be intersecting with the sponsoring group of Friday Night Life.
Good Works Volunteers
These individual volunteers make a commitment to volunteer with us for a certain period of time, coming out once a week or once a month.
Transformation Station Volunteers
Our Transformation Station volunteers create the opportunity for the members of your group to move from "doing for" to "doing with". Rather than serving the poor, you come alongside and serve with someone who is struggling with poverty but who is trying to access a resource to help themselves. Transformation Station creates the opportunity for people to enter into a volunteer capacity and building relationships with others, while at the same time accessing items that have been donated to Good Works: vehicles, appliances, bicycles and food. Your group members are simply volunteering alongside them and sharing a meal with them during lunch times.