The song ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ begins with a rather lavish gift (a live bird in a fruit tree), and only gets more extravagant from there. But what might the song look like for Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) and Service Adventure units across the country, whose focus on grassroots community and simple living rules out swans, lords-a-leaping or pipers piping (never mind gold rings)? Join the Tucson, Arizona, MVS unit in the festive countdown and find out!
On the first day of Christmas, service units see…a unit house setting up their Christmas tree!
In both MVS and Service Adventure, participants live in a unit house together, sharing joys and challenges, meals and adventures while mutually supporting each other. In Service Adventure, participants are joined by a unit leader(s) who serve as mentors to the group.
On the second day of Christmas, service units see…two unit cars for driving!
Some MVS and Service Adventure units have access to unit vehicles to help get participants to and from service placements, church and errands. In every unit, participants are encouraged to use bikes and public transportation when possible to get around the neighborhoods that they live and work in.
On the third day of Christmas, service units see…three monthly newsletters!
Do you or your church support a service participant? If so, you may get a monthly update on what they’re up to! Participants use email, blogs or good old physical letters to keep their home communities up-to-date on their placement, celebrations and prayer requests.
On the fourth day of Christmas, service units see…four housemates singing!
This isn’t the first (or the last) time a Tucson MVS unit has sung together.
On the fifth day of Christmas, service units see…five Pickleball games!
In the immediate vicinity of the Tucson MVS unit is Shalom Mennonite Fellowship, the units host congregation, seasonal SOOP (Service Opportunities with Our Partners) volunteers serving in the area and living out of their RVs, and a pickleball court!
On the sixth day of Christmas, service units see…six bikes worth cycling!
Tucson is home to the Tucson loop — a 131 mile-long shared bike and walking path that winds in and around the city. The MVS unit makes good use of it!
On the seventh day of Christmas, service units see…seven worship songs!
Each MVS and Service Adventure unit has a local supporting church group or congregation that walks alongside participants as mentors, friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. For the Tucson MVS unit, that supporting congregation is Shalom Mennonite Fellowship.
On the eighth day of Christmas, service units see…eight miles of hiking!
Tucson is nestled between national parks, mountains and canyons, and the MVS unit is only a short bike ride or drive away from them!
On the ninth day of Christmas, service units see…nine MVSers at the national retreat!
Each year, MVS units from across the country come together in a central location to fellowship, learn and encourage one another. Sometimes one unit even hosts the other units! This year, MVSers from each unit gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
On the tenth day of Christmas, service units see…ten in the MVS family!
In addition to a host congregation, each MVS and Service Adventure unit has a support committee that walks alongside participants to help them navigate the highs and lows of their service terms.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, service units see…eleven popcorn kernels!
For the best ratio of taste/cost in snacks, popcorn’s where it’s at!
On the twelfth day of Christmas, service units see…twelve oranges on the orange tree (watered by the outdoor unit shower)!
Each MVS and Service Adventure unit house reflects the community it is a part of. Water is an especially precious resource in Tucson, and so none of it goes to waste in the unit house…or outside it! The unit’s outdoor shower (there’s an indoor shower as well for colder days) waters a nearby orange tree.
MVS, a program of Mennonite Mission Network, is a one-year volunteer service experience for individuals age 20+, with the opportunity for a placement extension for an additional one to two years. MVSers play integral roles in transforming community social systems relating to health, education, immigration, food, housing and more. Join in this shared mission of actively working toward a more peaceful and just world. No pressure, though — after applying, we’ll work alongside you to determine which placement is your perfect fit. For more information and to apply, click here.
