Local Teams Lend Helping Hands at Skycroft
By Emily Reedy
In the midst of the biggest storm Skycroft Conference Center has ever weathered (a result of the COVID-19 pandemic), we remain grateful for many blessings. God continues to provide a path forward for our ministry. Throughout the pandemic, He has used countless individuals, volunteers, neighbors, and congregations to improve our facilities, make new connections, and sustain our operations as income streams have diminished.
A team of BCM/D DR volunteers and others from local. BCM/D churches spent a day at Skycroft removing dead trees.
DR volunteers remove dead trees
On Nov. 7, a large group of volunteers gathered at Skycroft with one mission: to take down several large dead trees precariously looming next to Hickory and Pine Tree lodges. Part local Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief (DR) volunteers wielding chainsaws, part local Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D) church members hauling away debris, this mighty work crew took down and disposed of over a dozen large trees in just a few hours.
A big bonus was that our DR folks were also able to use this workday as a DR chainsaw training. There were a handful of trees that were particularly dangerous to fall given their size, lean, and proximity to buildings. We are so grateful to local arborists, Edelen Tree Experts, for donating their time and bucket truck to tackle these troublesome trees! Praise God for their service and expertise.
In a 24-hour whirlwind, members of MCC in Frostburg (posing in front of their NAMB DR trailer) did a massive job of cleaning up and helping with the Gresham Hall deck replacement, as well as assisting in getting rid of debris from dead ash trees (photo submitted).
A big thanks to Pastor Clayton Clark of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Rohersville, Maryland, for coordinating with Edelen and mobilizing this very important workday.
Mountain City Church team lends a helping hands
We were blown away at what a group from Mountain City Church (MCC) in Frostburg, Maryland, accomplished in just 24 hours in November! This group of 13 split up to focus their efforts on several different areas.
Mountain City Church members Ashley and Charity Saweikis enjoy time together painting benches at Skycroft (photo submitted).
The ladies in the group did detail-cleaning in our Nelson Recreation Center conference area, including cleaning the upholstery of all 72 chairs in our theater. These hardworking ladies also hand-scrubbed 25 of our folding tables (a retreat staple for groups) which were stained from heavy use and went on to paint some of our outdoor furniture.
Some DR chainsaw-certified gentlemen in the group assisted with taking down dead ash trees and clearing trails. Another small work crew of carpenters helped the Skycroft maintenance team make some serious traction on the Gresham Hall deck replacement.
About half of the MCC team visited Skycroft in the past and some had served as summer camp counselors. For others, it was their first visit. Senior Pastor Joe Saweikis said that within hours of arriving the team was making plans to visit in the spring.
We are so grateful to these brothers and sisters for coming alongside us and investing in Skycroft’s ministry.
Emily Reedy serves as the director of Skycroft Conference Center.
Cover photo: Many volunteers helped to removed dead trees at Skycroft on Nov. 7 (photo submitted). Churches represented included Covenant Church in Shepherdstown, West Virginia; Faith Baptist Church in Knoxville, Maryland; New Life Church in Inwood, West Virginia; Summit Trace Church in Frederick, Maryland; Oak Grove Baptist Church in Bel Air, Maryland; North Valley Church, Myersville, Maryland; Poolesville Baptist Church in Maryland; and Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Rhorhesville, Maryland.
