First UMC sends LAVIM team to Alaska

A 14-member Louisiana Volunteers in Mission team from First United Methodist Church, Baton Rouge traveled to Nome, Alaska to this past June to offer repair help to Community UMC.  

During the 10-day mission the team, ranging in age from 18-82, repaired playground equipment, installed lights in the church’s Fellowship Hall, carried out grounds maintenance, repaired fencing and plumbing and helped with similar projects.

First UMC has sent several mission teams to Alaska over the past 10 years.

One team member wrote, “We were fortunate to arrive in Nome in time for the Midnight Sun Celebration. It was Nome's version of a Louisiana Mardi Gras, reindeer included.”

The team, pictured from left to right, included, back row, Marilyn Hammond, Judd Hammond (team leader,) Bill Morgan, Dot Harmon, Dick Bengston, Bess Mitchell, JoAnn Chemin, Debra Toney; and front row, Caroline Tyler, Jonathan Chemin, Jean Bengston, Joe Chemin, Sandra Blaylock and Betty Rowell.