On Saturday, April 25, more than 40 men's groups from around the country joined in to help others in the third annual Men's NetWork WORK DAY. Tasks ranged from landscaping and clean-ups to maintenance jobs and blacktopping. This year's stated emphasis was to take work off church grounds and into neighborhoods and communities whenever possible, in an effort to match outreach efforts with known needs.
Among the jobs undertaken (these were also relayed to us via pictures and details of their work) were the following:
A men's group from St. John Lutheran Church and School in Ocala, Florida, painted, washed windows, and performed landscaping assistance to a local shelter.
Some men from Concordia Lutheran Church in Louisville, Kentucky, helped out on a local Habitat for Humanity build.
Guys from Faith Lutheran Church in Thompson's Station, Tennessee, worked on a neglected Civil War-era cemetery, trimming trees, pulling weeds, and doing other general landscaping chores.
The SJLC (Serving Jesus, Living in Community) Men from St. John's Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virginia, undertook various projects and clean-up work at Franconia Elementary, a local public school, and on their church campus.
The A-Men group from Altenburg, Missouri, spruced up their southeast Missouri community by filling the back of a pick-up truck with several bags of collected trash.
Guys from Christ Lutheran Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Falls City, Nebraska, dug into yard work and landscaping projects.
Soldiers of the Cross from St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School in Kingsville, Maryland, took on numerous projects on the church and school campus, some of which will extend into future efforts for the group.
Men from Zion Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, Kansas, took on landscaping and house-painting tasks for two different individuals. A rain delay will put them back in action later to complete the painting.
A team from the A-Men group hailing from Lutheran churches in central Wisconsin spent the day at Camp LuWiSoMo in Wild Rose, installing window screens and assembling picnic tables.
Our hats are off to these workers and all the other participants who gave their time and effort in this year's Men's NetWork WORK DAY. As in years past, much good was done for many, and that is a stellar reflection of the church at work in the world. To check out the pictures on your own, go to the Men's NetWork Facebook page by clicking here.
For those who missed out or were unable to get a group together on Saturday, April 25, don't forget you can do a WORK DAY later in the year too. Just pick a time that works better for your men's group or your activity schedule. We already have five groups signed up to work on different days later this year.