Campus Ministry, with the leadership of Dr. Ellen O’Shaughnessy, is off to Washington, D.C., May 8 through May 13 for its 2017 Mission Trip. Students await an adventure of service, fun and prayer centered on the Gospel of Mark and the Psalms. They will meet Ohio Senators to represent issues concerning social justice. The Mission Trip, in its sixth year, is through the Downtowners Campus Ministry with funding from the Dominican Sisters of Peace and the Presbytery of Scioto Valley.
What is unique about this year is that three MCCN students will be bringing siblings along on the trip. Cameron Duke has invited his sister, Courtney, a student at Shawnee State in Occupational Therapy. Diamond Akabuaku has invited her sister, Angel, a medical student at the University of Cincinnati and student in ministry. Caylie Dick has invited her brother, Canaan, who is considering joining the police force. Side by side with three sets of siblings, the ten missioners going to D.C. include Haley Robison, (for the third year), Instructor Tina Harkless, BSN, RN, and Dr. Bob Padberg, husband of Dr. O’Shaughnessy.
The mission includes serving breakfast to the homeless, residential and street poor through Our Daily Bread out of the United Methodist Church near the Capitol. The group will also hear from guest speakers who have first-hand experience in issues around human/sex/labor trafficking, homelessness, immigration, incarceration without rehabilitation and mental health, and will take these issues to Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman.
With the spirit of giving, learning, serving and meeting with elected officials, there will be time to enjoy meals together, ride the Metro, and experience the sights of Washington, D.C., such as the Washington Monument and Smithsonian Museums.
Submitted by Ellen O’Shaughnessy, D. Min.
