(Left) Okanogan United Methodist Church (photo courtesy of Joe Mabel/Wikimedia Commons) and (Right) an example of tuckpointing (photo by David Hawgood, Wikimedia Commons).

PNW Volunteers In Mission:
Seeking Help with Historic Okanogan United Methodist Church
By Ronda Cordill

Before the Charlton Complex Fire ravaged the Okanogan Valley, the historic Okanogan United Methodist Church was asking for assistance from the Volunteers In Mission (VIM) to help repair a large fellowship room that sustained weather damage over the past couple of years. Needed work also includes removing water-damaged lath and plaster, insulating and sheet rocking the interior of this room, there will be some repair to electrical outlets as well. It is anticipated that initial work will be begin in early September 2014 and hopefully be completed by the end of October.

Okanogan UMC has kitchen and shower facilities available for use by VIM teams. Groups of 2 or 3 people from a church can join together with other teams to help for 1 day to 3 or 4 days. We are also looking for skilled volunteers who can assist with supervising these volunteers on a day-to-day basis. There is a contractor available to oversee the project.

There is a second project that includes restoring mortar (known as tuckpointing) on the outside of the masonry wall in the front of the church. We are looking for people skilled in masonry to help lead volunteers in this project. This project can be completed in the spring if necessary.

A project task outline is available for review by potential VIM team leaders or construction supervisors.

If you are interested in leading or joining a VIM team to assist with this project, or have questions please contact Ronda Cordill.


Ronda Cordill serves as the UMVIM mission coordinator for the PNWUMC.

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