A dozen volunteers from Flowing Forth United Methodist Church conducted two one-day “Serve Local” mission trips in Aurora last week by donating time at Mutual Ground domestic violence shelter and Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry’s community garden, both in Aurora. The Serve Local effort replaced week-long June mission trips to Texas and Puerto Rico by Flowing Forth youth and adults.

Rev. Derek Rogers, Flowing Forth pastor, led volunteers. He said, “It was a perfect day to do some beautifying of their grounds at Mutual Ground. We are grateful to give back and impact lives in our own community.”

He added, “It was a hot day but we accomplished a lot in the Marie Wilkinson Community Garden. We planted peonies to peppers, trimmed bushes and spread mulch.”

Rev. Rogers said church college students contributed $400 raised for their cancelled mission trip to purchase 45 grocery bags of food for Marie Wilkinson.

Flowing Forth is among United Methodist churches nationwide supplementing online worship services with drive-in services. The church will hold carpool worship services at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 5 and July 28, at Aurora Christian School’s main parking lot, 2255 Sullivan Rd. in Aurora.  The public is invited. COVID-19 protocols will be observed.

The church’s first drive-in services were held June 14 and June 28.