BRUNSWICK

On Saturday, June 20, a group of 28 teens and four adult leaders from the Brunswick area will embark on a weeklong mission trip to Philadelphia for a residential experience of living as a disciple of Jesus through prayer and service to the poor.

From June 21-26, the students will sleep at a church hall at night and spend their days assisting at food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, community gardens, and homeless shelters while also visiting residents at assistedliving homes. The trip, sponsored by All Saints Parish in Brunswick, is being planned and hosted by YouthWorks, an ecumenical organization which specializes in organizing life-changing mission trips for teenagers by providing them the opportunity to be like Jesus in the ways they love and serve others.

“In addition to the service experience, the students will spend 30 minutes of quiet time each day with their devotional journals,” said Sheila Murphy, a faith formation leader at the parish, in a prepared statement. “After our day in the field, we come back for supper, a teaching on scripture, and presentations by YouthWorks leaders. These leaders are all in their early twenties, not too far from the age of our students, so their stories are relevant and inspirational.”

Parish leaders have observed the spiritual impact of the mission trips on the participants. In recent years, students have returned from the trips and become involved locally at nursing homes, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters.

Eight students from other Christian communities will also participate in the mission trip. Thanks to community fundraisers throughout the year and the generosity of parishioners at All Saints, anyone who would like to participate in the mission trip is able to do so, regardless of financial situation.

Parishioners will help send the mission group off during a special Mass at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at St. Katharine Drexel Church on Mountain Road in Harpswell. All are encouraged to attend.