WAYNESBORO — A cup of white paint in one hand and a brush in the other, Kayleigh Hostetter climbed a ladder Tuesday morning.
The 14-year-old was getting a crash course on the art of painting trim. She wasn't accomplishing the task as quickly as she thought she might, taking her time so she didn't get paint on the ceiling. She hadn't taken the same efforts to protect her paint-splattered right leg.
Hostetter is in her first year as part of Renew Camp at Harrisonburg's Eastern Mennonite High School. Teenagers from 16 area churches come together for the week-long camp. During the day, they volunteer throughout the community. At night, there are activities and a worship service for the youth.
"I just thought it would be cool to come and see what it was like to help everybody," said Hostetter, a rising freshman at Fort Defiance High School.
On Tuesday, Hostetter's group made the trip from Harrisonburg to Waynesboro to volunteer at Wayne Hills United Methodist Church, which is in the process of being converted into a community center.
With a declining number of attendees, the membership voted to dissolve the church last June. The ownership of the building and surrounding church property reverted to the greater United Methodist Church.
In the past year, there have still been various outreach projects housed at Wayne Hills and the district and conference leadership liked having a presence in the community.
"This will become more or less a faith-based community center," said Jenelle Watson, who will be director of the center starting on July 1. "We're going to create new worship opportunities, just things that are a little bit different than maybe are done at other churches. But we're doing this with the support of our other United Methodist Churches."
But Watson admitted she's not sure what the center will look like when completed. Those involved with the project are currently seeking input from the surrounding community to find out what is needed. Ministry and worship will continue, but perhaps in some non-traditional ways.
For instance, there could be a computer lab and tutoring center for middle and high school students. Watson also said there is a need for an addiction and recovery meeting space.
"It's wide open," Watson said. "It's really where the Holy Spirit leads us and where we can all come together to use this resource to make our community stronger."
Wayne Hills was built in 1954. With the move to offer more outlets for the community, Watson said the building could use some freshening up. That's what the group from Renew Camp was there to do. Painting and basic cleaning were two of the key jobs for campers.
Lianna Gonzalez, 14, found out about the camp through a friend. Like Hostetter, she is a 14-year-old rising Fort Defiance freshman.
"I think it's good because you get to know people and have great times," she said. "And worship and serve in the community."
Marissa Hansbrough, who is also a 14-year-old rising Fort Defiance freshman, agreed. This is her second year of Renew Camp.
"Last year it was very moving to see the difference in how you could go out in the community and serve," Hansbrough said. "I thought that was really powerful."