Stirring up tradition: Edinburg church gathers each year to make apple butter

EDINBURG — On a blustery Friday morning, volunteers with Wakemans Grove Church of the Brethren gathered to carry on a time-honored tradition — making apple butter.

Proceeds from annual event, which has been held for more than 50 years, help send the high school youth group to a conference in Colorado every four years.

“In between those four years we go to a Momentum Youth Conference, which is usually about five days long in Indiana," said Matt Carper, the youth group’s advisor. "Along the way, we stop in Kentucky at Ark Encounter — a Christian theme park.”

At the conference, youth give back to the community through mission work, helping mothers and children with tasks, including working in the garden and preparing food, Carper said.

Last year, the fundraiser raised approximately $5,000