Bound Together in Transformation
By Jordan Sylar
Assistant Minister, Asbury United Methodist Church in Livermore, CA; SSP Adult Volunteer
Asbury United Methodist Church has a long history with Sierra Service Project, but this year was my first time joining in the beloved summer tradition. Our intergenerational week group was a special mix of seasoned SSP veterans and newcomers—youth, young adults, and older adults all together. What made our time at SSP feel so distinctly Christian wasn’t just the “spiritual sandwiches” or nighttime devotions (though they were meaningful), but the sense of deep transformation running through everything we did.
“We weren’t just physically transforming homes, but writing new chapters in our lives.”
This year’s SSP theme, “Bound Together,” felt especially fitting. Throughout the week, I saw how each of us—like individual stories—became part of a larger narrative. We weren’t just physically transforming homes, but writing new chapters in our lives, bound together by the shared experiences, hard work, and moments of connection.
We didn’t just see transformation in the projects we worked on—it was happening in us, too. Youth found pride in their accomplishments, adults discovered renewed purpose, and together we crossed generational lines in ways I hadn’t expected. By the end of the week, we were no longer separate stories but part of something much larger, woven together in faith and service.
“We didn’t just see transformation in the projects we worked on—it was happening in us, too.”
The bonds we built, the connections we made with the Del Norte community, and the ways we experienced God’s presence through our work left a lasting impact on us all. I am grateful to SSP because it reminded us that transformation isn’t just about what we do for others— it’s about how God works through service to bind us together and change us for the better, too.
Editor’s Note: Jordan’s experience is similar to how so many intergenerational volunteers talk about the week! If you’d like to check out intergenerational weeks for yourself, whether with your family, friends, or on your own, see our current availability for summer 2025.
