Bullock Creek, Michigan on July 23-29, 2017

Transcription

1 Our Lady of Mercy Senior High Youth Ministry SUMMER MISSION TRIP You are invited to attend our Youth Ministry Mission Trip to: Bullock Creek, Michigan on July 23-29, 2017 This coming summer, the Our Lady of Mercy youth ministry will be traveling to Bullock Creek, Michigan to do service work for those in need. We will be attending Group work camp. Group is a nationally known Nondenominational Christian organization that helps teenagers realize the importance of service in their lives. A faith-building adventure of a lifetime! Group Workcamps are the ultimate expression of Christian service that provides unlimited spiritual growth. They offer youth groups a fun, challenging experience that softens their hearts and ignites their faith. It's amazing to see the satisfaction on these teenager's faces when accomplishing something important with their own hands. And it's even more incredible to see their faith become more real and personal. It truly is an adventure they'll never forget! Rebuilding homes and lives. Over the years, Group has developed a unique program that helps kids mature in their faith through volunteer community service. We have discovered that through service, real spiritual growth happens. Since Group Workcamps inception in 1977, they have brought more than 100,000 teenagers and their adult sponsors to hundreds of communities across North America to assist needy families. But it's not just the lives of families that are changed. Through the experience, our devotions and special activities, young people leave with a deeper faith. Reaping the benefits of servanthood. Teens will gain valuable skills through typical projects like carpentry, painting, repairing roofs and installing drywall, but the real learning experiences will have more to do with faith-building than with home-building. They will learn unique lessons about themselves that cannot be taught but can only come when humbled in service to others. They will discover the true joy that comes from giving. So, whether or not you are adept at using a hammer or paintbrush, you will soon see that the most valuable tool of all is a willing heart.

2 ABOUT THE SITE WE ARE ATTENDING: Bullock Creek, Michigan "Call to the Creek Challenge Workcamp" People are already waiting for your help Almost everyone has heard about the decline of the auto industry. What many people don t realize is that when car and truck manufacturing slows down, everyone is affected. Hundreds of smaller companies provide parts and services to the big auto plants. Restaurants, groceries, and all kinds of shops rely on autoworkers and their families. Pretty much the entire state of Michigan is hurting from the decline in manufacturing. As early as May 2016, over a year before the workcamp, over 170 needy residents have already applied for your help. And the work needed will be a true challenge for your kids. Many homes need entire roofs replaced and there are lots of requests for porches and wheelchair ramps. To help you meet the challenge, a small army of local construction-skilled volunteers will be available to guide your work. While you re there, be sure to check out the Tridge! It s like a bridge, but it connects three points of land instead of just two. The school has hosted several Group Mission Trips in the past, and the staff is eager to welcome your group back! WHO CAN ATTEND? All high school age teens are eligible to attend the mission trip. Teens must be 14 years of age as of our trip date July 23, Graduated Seniors (Spring 2017) may also attend. College students (ages who are already in college) may also attend as leaders for our group only a limited amount of college students will be accepted. INFORMATION MEETING FOR THOSE NEW TO A MISSION TRIP: An Information Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 20 th from 7:00 to 7:45 PM in the Parish Life Center. This meeting is for students and parents new to our mission trip program. We will share the trip video and answer questions on the trip. You may also return your application and deposit at this meeting. MANDATORY PARENT/STUDENT MEETING: A MANDATORY Parent/Student meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 7 th from 7:00-7:45 PM OR Sunday, December 11 th from 12:00-12:45 PM (Both meetings will be held in the Parish Life Center.) The student attending the trip and at least ONE parent must attend ONE of these meetings! There will also be a Documents for the Trip DROP OFF DATE on May 1 st where parents/teens are to drop off all the paperwork for the trip. More information on the times will be announced. COST AND FUNDRAISING FOR THE TRIP: This trip will cost approximately $ a person ($425 for college leaders). This amount includes not only the participant fee for the workcamp, but all of the other common costs like transportation, rooming, meals at the camp, the free day activity and other associated community costs. The various fundraisers we hold throughout the year, such as Mission Trip Weekend, Bake Sale, Aurora Day of Service and the Rummage Sale are for the purpose of lowering that cost for the teens. The full cost ($725.00) of the trip will be expected from each student. For each fundraiser worked, a TBD amount of money (Based on the profitability of the fundraiser) will be added to the individual s trip account. The overall goal is to provide enough opportunities for everyone to significantly reduce their out of pocket costs. One of the most significant secondary benefits to participating in these fundraisers is the community building within the group that will be attending the mission trip together. Thus, we would love to have everyone participate in all of the fundraising activities. Unfortunately, we know that for various reasons, we have not been able to achieve that full participation. With the past system, a lack of participation meant that a smaller group of people were working very hard for the benefit of the entire group. As we all know, many hands make light work. This approach to fundraising is intended to encourage a greater degree of participation in the overall fundraising effort. Participation in individual fundraisers is NOT a requirement, but a choice to add funds to the student s account. Those that cannot or choose not to participate in fundraising will still be responsible for paying their portion of the overall mission trip costs, so the burden is shared equally by all participants.

3 With this policy, we ask that ALL participants pay an initial non-refundable deposit of $50.00 which will be credited to the students account. This amount will hold our spots with the work camp organization. You may check the balance on your account at anytime by contacting Dave in the youth ministry office. The final payment will be DUE after our last fundraising event in July. NEW! The absolute DEADLINE to cancel a spot for the trip is Tuesday, May 9 th. Any cancellation after that date will require the teen (parent) pay the full amount due of the trip unless a replacement teen can be attained to fill that spot. If a student raises over the $ cost for the trip, that positive balance will be credited to a future trip. Please contact us if there are any questions or if there is a financial need we want any and all teens to experience this great event! DEADLINE TO SIGN-UP---DECEMBER 4, 2016 There are 60 teen/college leader and 12 adult spots available for the trip. The Deadline to sign-up for the trip is SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4 TH! Spots are filled on a first come, first serve basis. However, if we have open spots after the deadline date, we will continue to take teen sign-ups. Once all spots are filled, we will start a wait list for any teens interested in attending. So please get your materials in ASAP to the youth ministry office! The Application, Fundraiser Form and non-refundable $50.00 deposit must be returned to the Youth Ministry Office located in the Parish Life Center (701 S. Eola Road, Aurora IL 60504). Please make checks payable to Our Lady of Mercy. ***PLEASE NOTE: a spot on the trip will NOT be confirmed unless the Application, Fundraiser Form AND the $50 non-refundable deposit are returned. PARENT HELP NEEDED! Parents are invited to consider going on a trip as an adult leader! We will need 13 adults to make this trip happen. An adult leader needs to be at least 25 years of age and willing to drive to and from the work camp (rental mini-van), chaperone our teens at the camp and work as a team to make this the best experience possible for our teens. If you are interested in learning more about this great opportunity please contact Dave in the youth ministry office at x225 or at DaveM@olmercy.com. Thanks and please let me know if you have any questions. Sincerely In Christ, Dave Miserendino Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry

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5 MISSION TRIP 2017 APPLICATION Bullock Creek, MI on July 23-29, 2017 Student Name: Address: City: Zip: Home Phone: Teen T-Shirt Size Student Cell Phone: Cell Phone Carrier: School: Year in School: (as of trip date) Student Address Parent Address I am a: Teen College Leader Please fill out this Application and return it along with the Fundraiser Form and non-refundable $50 deposit (check made payable to Our Lady of Mercy Youth Ministry) to the Youth Ministry Office. Spots fill up quick, so get it in ASAP! DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2016! If needed, use another piece of paper and attach it to this application. You need to be aware of the following: You will be required to attend a Parent/Student information meeting. You will be required to attend a Parent/Student Documents meeting. You will be required to pay the full amount of the trip ($725 for teens or $425 for College Leaders) minus your fundraising efforts. 1) Why do you want to go on a Mission/Service trip? 2) What are your gifts and talents that you can bring on a Mission Trip? 3) Explain your relationship with Jesus Christ. 4) What do you hope to gain from a Mission Trip experience?

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7 MISSION TRIP 2017 FUNDRAISER FORM (All students attending the trip MUST fill out this form and return with their Application and Deposit!!!) Student Name Students attending the mission trip are invited to attend various fundraisers to help pay for the trip. Each teen/college participant will have a student account. All money raised at each fundraiser event will be divided evenly among the teens who worked the event. This amount will then be placed into their account. The total cost for the trip is $ per teen. It is estimated that you can raise $ (or more) through our fundraising efforts and reduce the amount you have to pay out of pocket. NEW! The absolute DEADLINE to cancel a spot for the trip is Tuesday, May 9 th. Any cancellation after that date will require the teen (parent) pay the full amount due of the trip unless a replacement teen can be attained to fill that spot. If a student raises over the $ cost for the trip, that positive balance will be credited to a future trip I understand the Fundraising policy and know that I am responsible for the entire amount of the trip ($725.00). The final payment will be due in July Student signature Date Parent Signature Date I would like to participate in the following fundraiser events: PIE SALE Sat/Sun, October 29-30, 2016 (You can earn an estimated $40.00 to your account by attending this fundraiser.) Teens will help with the pie sampling and taking orders. Mass I prefer to attend: Please list 2 preferences (Sat4p, Sun 7:30a,9a,10:45a,12:30p,or 5:30p) PIE SALE PERSONAL FUNDRAISING Fundraiser (Starting in October) Yes, I would like to sell pies/desserts on my own (to family, friends, neighbors, etc.). You will receive the profit from the pies YOU sell (30-43% depending on total amount of pies sold) which could be a very sizable amount! You will receive an order sheet and information via the mail. MISSION TRIP WEEKEND Collection and Speaker January 14-15, 2017 (You can earn an estimated $100 to your account by attending this fundraiser) Sign-up to help at a mass with the distribution of donation envelopes OR help as a teen presenter at a mass. Envelope distribution Teen Speaker Sat4PM Sun7:30AM Sun9AM Sun10:45AM Sun12:30PM Sun5:30PM OVER

8 PARISH LENTEN FISH DINNER Fridays in Lent TBA (You can earn an estimated $15-$30 to your account by attending this fundraiser.) Yes, I would like to participate in this fundraiser. Teens will help set-up, serve food, and clean-up at the parish fish bake in the Parish Life Center. Exact times to work TBD. PARENTS: Can you help organize this event? Please check here if you can help PANCAKE BREAKFAST Sunday TBA (You can earn an estimated $15-$20 to your account by attending this fundraiser.) Yes, I would like to participate in this fundraiser. Teens will help set-up, serve food, and clean-up at the pancake breakfast in the Parish Life Center. Exact times to work TBD. BAKE SALE April 29 & 30, 2017 (You can earn an estimated $30-$50 to your account by attending this fundraiser.) Sign-up for ONE Mass to work-please check 1 space Sat4PM Sun7:30AM Sun9AM Sun10:45AM Sun12:30PM Sun5:30PM AURORA DAY OF SERVICE May 6, 2017 (You can earn an estimated $50 to $150 for working this event) Jobs consist of yard clean-up, window cleaning, mulch installation, cleaning, etc. Yes, I would like to participate in this fundraiser. You will be asked to work a minimum 3-4 hour shift on either the morning or afternoon (or both). Shift: 8AM-Noon Noon-4PM PARENTS: Can you help organize this event? Please check here is you can help RUMMAGE SALE June 9-11, 2017 (Sign-up for this will be ONLINE information on this will be sent to all families on May.) (You can earn an estimated $45.00 to your account by attending this fundraiser.) Yes, I would like to participate in this fundraiser. Help with collection of items the weekend before (June 3-4), Sorting and pricing during the week before (June 5-8) and the actual event (Friday-Sunday, June 9-11). PARENTS: Can you help with this event? Please check here if you can help Other Possible Fundraising Opportunities: 1) Letter Writing Campaign-Teens will be given a form letter that they can send out to family, friends, neighbors, local businesses, etc. requesting them to sponsor their trip through prayer and financial support. The form letter will be given out at a later date. 2) Other Fundraisers may be scheduled (more details on these will be out shortly) - Poinsettia Personal Selling in November/December - Car Wash in June - Ribfest in July Please return this form along with the Application and the non-refundable $50 deposit to the youth ministry office located in the PLC.