The First Congregational Church of Wiscasset, UCC has once again opened its doors to a youth service mission from Pennsylvania.

Twenty, mostly high school age, young people arrived at the church Sunday evening from Immanuel United Church of Christ in Shillington. They’ll spend the week along with their pastor and adult chaperones doing volunteer work for several Midcoast nonprofits.

Rev. Megan Huesgen of Immanuel UCC and Mike Weiser are leading the group along with Jeremy Reazor and Kate Conrad.

Weiser, who said he’s led about two dozen youth missions, has been planning this trip for almost a year. He and his wife visited First Congregational in April.

“We raised some of the money we needed for the trip by offering childcare and holding a church breakfast. The kids also found mileage sponsors,” he told the Wiscasset Newspaper as the group unpacked tools, luggage, food and other supplies from their rented box truck.

Also arriving was a second smaller mission group. This one had three adults and one youth, from the Seventh Street Christian Church in Richmond, Virginia.

On Monday, one group from Immanuel United Church was set to be working at Edgecomb Green, a part of the ElderCare Network of Lincoln County. Another planned to volunteer for Stepping Stones Housing, Inc., based in Damariscotta. Other Immanuel volunteers will help at local food banks.

Among the volunteers was Luke Fagley a recent graduate of Governor Mifflin High School in Shillington. This is his sixth youth mission. Along with a previous visit to Maine, Fagley’s other missions have taken him to Tennessee, Rhode Island, New York and Georgia.

The Seventh Street Christian Church was set to travel up the Maine coast to Orrington to volunteer at H.O.M.E. for the week.

“I love that we are able to offer space for groups like this to come to the coast of Maine,” said Rev. Josh Fitterling of First Congregational.

“While we don't have many children or youth in our congregation, this is a great way that we can support the formation of young people in the wider church as they serve, love God, and love neighbor,” added Fitterling.

It won’t be a week of all work and no play. On Friday, the day before the group heads for home, members will visit Boothbay Harbor. They’ll do some shopping, take a whale-watching cruise and have dinner at Robinson’s Wharf. Wiscasset Selectman Katharine Martin-Savage will host the group and their chaperones for dinner at her home Thursday night.

First Congregational members Chuck and Paulla Billings were organizing a cookout on the church grounds.

Huesgen expressed thanks to Fitterling and the church membership for providing accommodations and use of the vestry. The visitors also greatly appreciated Wiscasset Community Center allowing them use of its shower facilities.

Last year, First Congregational hosted a similar youth mission group from St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania.