ENGLAND—Forty brethren from the Leavesden congregation volunteered six hours of their Sunday on July 3 to help complete renovation projects at the Edstone campus ahead of Philadelphia Youth Camp.

Volunteers began working at 9 a.m. on painting window trim and downspouts and clearing brush along the southern side of a creek. Most of the helpers assisted staff member Christopher Eames in sanding, taping and painting the windows.

Member Debbie Icasiano said she appreciated the painting project because it gave her an opportunity to help beautify the building while being able to chat with other ladies in the congregation who were also helping out.

Some ladies in the congregation helped weekly Edstone garden volunteer Kathy Howard weed and water a circular flowerbed and a vegetable garden, which local member and regular volunteer Rasika Perera said was her favorite part of the work party. Some men in the congregation helped Regional Director Brad Macdonald clear out branches and weeds by the creek that runs along the border of the property. Young boys helped rake leaves and tear out brush from the creek. Toddlers played in the lawn near the patio at Edstone Hall while their mothers watched, chatted with each other, and helped the other ladies clean windows.

Local member and regular volunteer Jocelyn Clarke said she felt satisfaction seeing the change in Edstone Hall’s aesthetics after its cream-colored window trim was replaced with a fresh coat of dark gray.

Since the first work party on Nov. 16, 2014, four days after the Philadelphia Church of God purchased the Edstone estate, the property has undergone six congregational work parties. At the first work party, volunteers tore out all the building’s carpets, “a huge project, but it had to get done,” according to Edstone office manager David Howard. At the subsequent five work parties, volunteers have focused on improving the grounds.

After finishing their projects, volunteers shared a barbecue. A week of rainy weather had given way to a day full of sunshine, even though rain had been forecasted. After lunch, some snoozed on the lawn under the sun while others, who live farther away, headed out for the long drive home. A few local members stayed around to brush up on their softball skills for the upcoming youth camp session, which began on July 31.