2016 Youth Pilgrimage to England and Scotland. Informational Packet

Transcription

1 2016 Youth Pilgrimage to England and Scotland Informational Packet

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3 General Information A pilgrimage can be defined simply as a sacred journey. On our pilgrimage, we will completely separate ourselves from the everyday world of home. We will travel in hopes of finding God in new and amazing ways. Please keep in mind that this is not a vacation. Vacations are times of pleasure, rest, and relaxation, to visit new places, and sight see. Pilgrimage is a chance to travel to sacred places full of meaning that allow for the Holy Spirit to work in new and miraculous ways, resulting in life changing transformations. In his book, The Art of Pilgrimage, author Phil Cousineau wrote that Pilgrimage is a spiritual exercise, an act of devotion to find a source of healing, or even to perform a penance. Always, it is a journey of risk and renewal. For a journey without challenge has no meaning; one without purpose has no soul The youth pilgrimage has been an important part of the youth program of Holy Communion for a long time. Spanning over a decade, this program has provided over 100 youth from Holy Communion with the opportunity to grow deeper in their faith while traveling on pilgrimage. Over the years, Holy Communion has sent youth to Ireland, England, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Germany, Italy, Scotland, and Luxembourg. They have hiked the Camino de Santiago, visited Canterbury Cathedral, toured Buchenwald Concentration Camp, explored the ancient ruins of Corinth, and stood on Mars Hill, the location where Paul gave his sermon to the Athenians. Spain, 2008 Greece, 2005 Spain, 2012 Germany, 2014

4 Requirements and Who Can Go? Any youth that has completed one year of high school by the summer of 2016 will be eligible to go on Pilgrimage. This experience has been coined as a once in a life time experience. Accordingly, youth are only allowed to go on pilgrimage one time. If your high school graduation year is 2016, 2017, 2018, or 2019, and you have not been on Pilgrimage, then you are able to go on the journey. The Holy Communion Pilgrimage is not a regular retreat that anyone can simply sign up to attend. Preparing for pilgrimage is a long process and requires a lot of work. The pilgrims themselves will set the standards for their own class. Anyone who fails to meet the agreed upon requirements will not be able to attend. Below I have listed some responsibilities and expectations that Holy Communion has for all of the pilgrims. Be an active member of the church through regular participation in: o Sunday formation o Worship services o Youth Group Participate fully in all fundraising endeavors Participate and host the annual Trunk-or-Treat event Must prepare a presentation that will be given during the Parish Hall Forum Sunday School Set Up We currently run two formation classes for our youth at Holy Communion. The Jr. High class for 6-8 grade and then the Sr. High class for 9-12 grades. There will not be a separate pilgrimage class. Church of the Holy Communion was founded on the principles of Christian formation and that still holds true today. Our time in Sunday school is to learn about our faith, our church, and Scripture. Sunday school is not a time to prepare for Pilgrimage. The pilgrims will have separate meetings on various Sunday s where they will talk, plan, and make preparations for the pilgrimage. Each year, the pilgrims work together on crafts that they will auction in February. They will decide what these crafts will be and then they will be responsible for finishing these crafts before the auction. All youth that are eligible for pilgrimage in 2016 will be in high school as of August Even though the class is not designed specifically for the pilgrims, it is imperative that all pilgrims regularly attend Sunday school where they will be able to grow together in community.

5 Schedule of Events & Fundraisers Westside Bakery Cake Sales Fundraiser November 2015 Each pilgrim will sell Westside Bakery cakes during the month of November. Tables will be set up in the Parish Hall on Wednesdays and Sundays to sell these cakes. Pilgrims will man the tables and fill out the order forms. Cake pick up will be Sunday, November 22, just in time for Thanksgiving. All Saints Shrimp Dinner November 1, 2015 The All Saints Shrimp Dinner has become one of the most popular events at Holy Communion. All of the proceeds from the event go to benefit the youth pilgrimage. All pilgrims will be required to do prep work and help set up for the dinner during the week prior to the dinner. They will also be required to spend an afternoon in September to do inventory of plates and bowls. All parents are encouraged to attend the All Saints Shrimp Dinner and to invite friends! 2016 Silent Auction Benefitting the Youth Pilgrimage February 6, 2016 The auction is the largest fundraiser that the youth put on for pilgrimage. All pilgrims will collect every item for the auction, set up the space, prepare the menu, and will work all day on February 6, the day of the auction, to prepare the food and host the event. The pilgrims will also serve the food during the event, and each pilgrim will have a job during the auction itself. Westside Bakery Cake Sales Fundraiser Round Two February - March 2016 Each pilgrim will sell cakes during Lent. Tables will be set up in the Parish Hall on Wednesdays and Sundays to sell these cakes. Pilgrims will man the tables and fill out the order forms. Cake pick up will be Sunday, March 20, so that they will be ready for Easter. Youth Pilgrimage to England and Scotland May 30 June 10, 2016

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7 Chaperones and Travel Arrangements Jean Arehart Jean Arehart has been a member of Holy Communion for over 10 years. She joined Holy Communion after years at St. Andrew s, where she worked as the secretary, and St. George s, where she coached athletic teams. Along with the Visinskys, she has co-led the middle school Sunday School class for the past 2 years. Jean has worked as a teacher for the Memphis City School district for 20 years where she has led and chaperoned a number of field trips. Jean is familiar with international travel as she has been to Austria, New Zealand, London, and Mexico. Jean has always been an avid supporter of the youth ministry program and has looked for new ways to become involved with the church. She is currently in her second year of the four year program Education for Ministry (EFM). Kendall Visinsky Kendall has traveled extensively both domestically and internationally for fun and for work (these are not always mutually exclusive!). As of 2016, she ll have just three continents left to visit. She has worked with youth ever since she was no longer considered a youth herself she has coached swimming and taught swim lessons to elementary through high school aged kids for many years, including working for the past two seasons with St. Mary s elementary swim team. She has co-led CHC s middle school Sunday school class for 3 years and has been a CHC member since 2005 with David and their two girls. David Visinsky The Not Reverend David Visinsky has been a member of Church of the Holy Communion since 2005 and has co-led the middle school Sunday school class for the last 2 years. David has traveled extensively during his life having lived in Indonesia, London, South Africa, and the Philippines. In addition to these extended periods abroad, David has visited over 40 countries. Over the last 15 years, David has coached youth from lower school through high school in basketball and soccer and has served as a chaperone on the diocesan youth ski trip for the last two years.

8 Matthew Arehart Matthew Arehart has served as the Minister to Youth at Holy Communion since In his time here, Matthew has planned and led the 2012 Pilgrimage to Spain/Portugal and the 2014 Pilgrimage to Germany. He came to Holy Communion after 15 years of experience working as a camp counselor at Episcopal Day Camp, including serving as Assistant Director and Camp Director, and 10 years serving at Junior Young People, a middle school retreat in North Carolina. In his role at Holy Communion, Matthew has been a main contributor in the planning and executing of many trips and retreats such as the Diocesan Ski Trip, Rafting Trip, and seven Happening Spiritual Renewal retreats. Rev. Sandy Webb The Reverend Sandy Webb has served as the senior priest at Church of the Holy Communion since 2013, following a three-year appointment as Associate to the Rector at St. John s Episcopal Church in Roanoke, Virginia. In addition to serving as spiritual guide for Church of the Holy Communion s 2014 pilgrimage to Germany and Luxembourg, Fr. Webb has led or participated in church-based trips to Thailand, Myanmar, Ghana, and the Holy Land. He brings to his role more than a decade of volunteer experience in youth work through the YMCA, several weeks as a cabin dad at Camp Bratton-Green in Mississippi, and five years of ordained ministry in various contexts. Wonder Voyage This will be the 4 th time that Holy Communion and Wonder Voyage have paired up for the youth pilgrimage. This is a relationship that has been building since 2005, and it has been a wonderful experience working with them. Wonder Voyage is a non-profit organization that creates personalized pilgrimages and mission trips. As described on their website, the voyages encourage an encounter with the heart of God through exploration and sacrificial service to distinctive communities around the globe. Through Wonder Voyage, each event becomes a journey and every participant a pilgrim. For more information on Wonder Voyage, you can check out their website or find them on Facebook. Wonder Voyage

9 Financials and Sign-Ups The pilgrimage is a very expensive and large undertaking. In 2014, the pilgrimage to Germany cost approximately $78,000. We will not have a final cost until the itinerary is set and tickets are purchased. The standard set up for payments has been 1/3 of the cost is paid for by the church, 1/3 of the cost is paid by the pilgrim, and then 1/3 is raised through fundraising. With this set-up, each pilgrim typically pays $2,000 to go on pilgrimage. However, this amount is all dependent on travel costs, number of pilgrims, location, and the itinerary. To reserve your spot for the 2016 Pilgrimage, please complete the attached form and return it to Matthew Arehart. In addition to the form, please include a non-refundable $200 deposit made payable to Holy Communion. The first deadline to register for the 2016 Pilgrimage will be September 27, Anyone who registers after September 27 th must submit all completed forms, the $200 nonrefundable deposit, plus an additional $100 late fee. No new pilgrim will be added after December 31, What is Covered Listed below are all things that are covered by the total balance: o Travel Costs (ground and air) o Pilgrimage T-Shirt o Embossed leather bound journal o Luggage tag o Travelers Insurance o Lodging Costs o All meals once we arrive at our location* *Meals that take place during the travel days are not covered.

10 Important Dates and Payment Deadlines: Registration: Before September 27, $200 non-refundable deposit After September 27, $200 non-refundable deposit + $100 late fee = $300 total December 31, 2015 Deadline to sign up for 2016 Pilgrimage Once the location and dates for the pilgrimage are set, a payment plan can be set up to pay the remaining balance. The balance must be paid in full before June 1, *Financial need should never be an issue when being involved with the church. If any financial assistance is needed, please contact Matthew Arehart. Scholarships are available for those that need them. *If you are planning to go on pilgrimage, please make sure that your passport is valid through August If you need to renew or apply for a new Passport, please start the process immediately. Please send the completed form and non-refundable deposit to Matthew Arehart at: Church of the Holy Communion 4645 Walnut Grove Rd. Memphis, TN 38117

11 Communications and Electronics Pilgrims will not be allowed to have their cell phones with them while on pilgrimage. We do encourage youth to leave their phones at home. All phones, ipods, etc. will be collected before we arrive at our final destination. Most of the chaperones will have international plans for their phones in case of an emergency. However, the main source communication will be through Calling Post. A Calling Post will be sent when we arrive at our destination, change locations, and are on our way home. At the close of each day, the pilgrims will reflect on the day and write a blog post that will be posted to the Holy Communion Youth blog. The blog, as well as all other social media sites, enable you to keep in touch with all the things going on with the Holy Communion Youth Group at all times! To receive text message updates on pilgrimage information and reminders for all pilgrimage meetings, please to Message and data rates may apply. CHC Youth Social Media: Blogspot: Holy Communion EYC Tumblr:

12 FAQs about Electronics Can I use my phone as a camera if I keep it in airplane mode? No. All phones will be collected. Can I use my phone as an ipod if I keep it in airplane mode? No. All phones will be collected. How will I keep in touch with my family and friends? Part of going on pilgrimage is removing yourself from the familiar and finding God in new and unexpected ways. In order to do that, we must create separation. No contact will be had between pilgrims and family unless there is an emergency. How will my parents get in touch with me if there is an emergency? If an emergency does present itself, please contact Mary Beth Darrow in the church office (901) She will be able to get in touch with Sandy and Matthew who can then respond appropriately.

13 2016 Pilgrimage to England and Scotland Registration Form Please complete this form and return to Matthew Arehart along with your non-refundable $200 deposit. Please make checks payable to Holy Communion Walnut Grove Rd. Memphis, TN Pilgrim s Name: Preferred Name: D.O.B: Grade (as of August 2015) T-Shirt Size: S M L XL Pilgrim s Pilgrim s Cell Phone: Parent or Guardian Information 1 Parent s Name: 1 Parent s 1 Parent s Cell Phone: 2 Parent s Name: 2 Parent s 2 Parent s Cell Phone:

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