HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Twenty teens from Portadown, Northern Ireland — an even mix of boys and girls — arrived July 3 and held their beginning Ecumenical Service Thursday evening.

The event is a chance for Protestant and Catholic teens to come together and grow with others from Hutchinson, learning leadership skills and how to work together and overcome barriers that have been a part of their lives in Northern Ireland.

During the month, the teens will be together for various civic events, a talent show and get a chance to learn more about each other. Normally there would be 12 teens in Hutchinson and eight more in McPherson. Because of a shortage of participants, the McPherson teens came to Hutchinson. Some families have taken in two guests for the month.

The Ulster Project was started in 1975 in Northern Ireland as a way to find peace between Protestants and Catholics during a time of ongoing conflict.