Youth Mission Initiative Registration and Information Packet He or she won't call attention to what he or she does with loud speeches or gaudy parades. He or she won't brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he or she won't disregard the small and insignificant, but he or she will steadily and firmly set things right - Isaiah 42: 2-3 Dear Registrants and Parents, We are excited to invite junior and senior high youth to participate in a week of exploration into what God is doing in our community for people in need. The week will be a lot of fun, but also a lot of learning and a lot of work. There is a lot of need in our neck of the woods including feeding and sheltering the homeless, caring for the mentally ill, providing for people in need, and forming relationships with people that make a difference. Youth Mission Initiative is an initiative to inspire an ethic of hard work and to foster an experience of the gospel of love in Jesus Christ that extends outside the doors of church buildings. We will be exploring and participating in the words of Isaiah 42:1-6 as well as other supplementary passages (Matthew 25:34-46 and Luke 10:27-37) as we hear from speakers and visit various need organizations. These organizations are located around the metroplex including the cities of Mesquite, Dallas, Arlington, and Waco. Each day of the week from Monday to Friday the youth will visit a different mission organization to volunteer for the day accompanied by at least 3 sponsors and 2 leaders to help drive and chaperone. The cost of this week is relatively inexpensive: $35 covers the entire week paying for a Youth Initiative t-shirt, and drinks and food for the week. This is the cost at the start, however we will have a day of fun on Saturday, August 6 and may go out for lunch 2 or 3 days during the week which may require youth to bring money, but details will be given to address this later. This said there may be some scholarship money available for those who cannot afford this cost. Come by the Christian Education office at FPC to fill out a scholarship form. This packet includes the Schedule for the Week, Descriptions of Service Organizations we will be visiting, a supply list of Items to Bring to the event, various forms to be filled out prior to the mission week, and contact numbers for parents. Please fill out all forms in this packet and submit them to the Christian Education Office at First Presbyterian Church by Sunday, August 1 to participate in this event. We need 1) A signed Covenant of Conduct, 2) a filled out and signed Medical Release and Liability form, 3) a signed Photo Release form, 4) the filled out Registration form, and 5) the payment of $35. Mark your calendars parents and youth for a informational meeting about this event on Sunday, July 25 at 12:15pm following the 11:00am worship service in the Youth Hall located in the northeast corner of the sanctuary building. We are excited about this event and look forward to seeing you all there! Have a great summer! (P.S. This is also a great opportunity to gain community service hours most of you youth will need for school). Sincerely, Tim Smith Director of Christian Education First Presbyterian Church, Mesquite TX Office: 972-285-5602 Email: tryan.smith@gmail.com
Schedule for the Week Sunday, August 1 5:00pm 5:30pm 5:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 7:30pm 7:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm Monday, August 2 7:00am 8:00am 8:00am 9:00am 12:00pm 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:15pm 4:30pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm Tuesday, August 3 7:00am 8:00am 8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:15pm 4:30pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm Wednesday, August 4 7:00am 8:00am 9:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:15pm 4:30pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm Check-in (Youth Hall) Orientation and Devotion Dinner Games/Group building and Vespers Lights Out Mission East Arlington Breakfast Depart FPC for Mission Arlington Tour and Volunteer Lunch Volunteer delivering furniture, pantry, etc Break Reflection Dinner at FPC member s house Group games and Devotion Lights Out Grace Presbyterian Village Breakfast Depart FPC Volunteer Lunch Volunteer Break Speaker Dinner Games and Devotion Lights Out Mosaic Breakfast Depart FPC for Mosaic work site in Carrolton Volunteer working on site at a home Lunch Volunteer working on site at a home Break Reflection time Dinner at FPC member s house Lunch-bagging for Austin Street Center Games and Devotion Lights Out
Thursday, August 5 Austin Street Center 7:00am 8:00am Breakfast 9:00am Depart FPC for Austin Street Center 10:00am -12:00pm Volunteer serving lunches 12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch 1:00pm - 2:30pm Volunteer - playing Bingo 5:00pm 6:00pm Reflection time 6:30pm 7:30pm Dinner 8:00pm to 10:00pm Games and Devotion 11:00pm Lights Out Friday, August 6 7:00am 8:00am 9:00am 3:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 9:00pm 9:00pm 12:00am Presbyterian Children s Homes and Services Breakfast Fun and Games in Waxahachie Dinner Closing Reflections Video Project Recreation Saturday, August 7 8:00am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm Breakfast Worship Day out on the town YMI Ends depart from FPC, Mesquite ***Volunteer times may vary depending on the work being done, which may lead to more free time during the week. ***Dinners and Breakfasts are being prepared by volunteers from the FPC Congregation. *** Church Under the Bridge Meal serving which was originally scheduled for Sunday, August 8 has been moved to Sunday, August 22
What to Bring with you to the YMI: Notepad Pen/Pencil Air mattress Sleeping bag/blankets Pillow Flashlight Bible Games to play with a group/movies Work clothes Tennis shoes/closed-toed shoes Sunscreen Extra set of clothes Pajamas Water bottle Camera Desired snacks/beverages Toothbrush Toothpaste Deodorant Alarm clock ***Remember all of your forms: Registration Form, FPC Covenant, FPC Medical Release and Liability form, Mosaic Volunteer Form ***Saturday will be a day on the town in Dallas. You may bring as much to spend for this day as you would like (a good number to consider might be $15). All of the youth will compile their town money and as a group decide what they would like to do with it. ***If you bring anything of value, make sure that you keep tabs on it. Anything you bring with you is your responsibility to keep up with. Optional: You may bring a little extra money for drink machines or snack machines at work sites each day.
YMI Video Project: Serve The week at YMI will culminate in a video created from the footage taken during the week of service. The youth will decide the shape the video will take and what they would like to communicate.
YMI Service Sites Descriptions of the organizations youth may work with while at YMI THE SPIRIT OF MISSION ARLINGTON: Mission Arlington Mission Arlington is more a movement than a strategy, more a spirit than a structure, more like a family than an organization. It s not about religion, and it is as much about God as it is about people. For these reasons, and so many more, Mission Arlington doesn t fit into the customary language of church, nor does it fit into the typical category of social work. God has done something amazing here, and He has done it in His own time and in His own way. Mission Arlington belongs to God. This isn t our story, but His. He had plans in place for this Ministry and for all who work here long before it happened. He started this mission, sustains us moment by moment, and He holds our future in His hands. As we talk about who we are it is with sincere humility, a sense of dependency and a commitment to the leadership of His Spirit within us. We are grateful to each and every one who has walked this journey with us. Together we will serve Him into the future one day at a time. Mosaic OUR MISSION: "Embracing God's call to serve in the world, Mosaic advocates for people with intellectual disabilities and provides opportunities for them to enjoy a full life." Mosaic is a faith-based organization serving people with intellectual disabilities. We believe that every individual is a person of worth. Together Mosaic staff members, volunteers and the people we support work as partners. OUR VISION: Mosaic enters its second century as a strong organization with continued focus to effectively help people with intellectual disabilities create the life they desire. We pursue sustainable growth and ensure our mission success through a broad partnership with donors and volunteers. AT A GLANCE: People Mosaic supports: More than 3,500 Employees: More than 5,000 Locations: 40 agencies comprising more than 250 communities in 14 states VOLUNTEER : You can help build connections between the people Mosaic assists and the communities in which they live. Mosaic welcomes individuals and groups to be a friend to an individual assisted by Mosaic or help with a Mosaic special project in your community.
Austin Street Center OUR MISSION: The Centre's primary purpose for existence is to offer emergency shelter and related services to the homeless person in a compassionate Christian community, so that the person in need might be better able to make responsible choices and changes in their lives. The Centre has a particular ministry of caring for those who suffer from various physical and mental disabilities, unable to care for themselves, with few or no available alternatives. This includes 24-hour shelter care for those persons recovering from serious illness or injury. MEAL MINISTRY: Volunteers from 120 plus different area churches, synagogues, school groups and service organizations prepare food in their kitchen, deliver it to Austin Street Centre and feed our residents each day. DAY PROGRAM: A Day Program is provided for women and children as well as men who are elderly or too ill to work. This program, supervised by shelter staff, relies on volunteer groups. Presbyterian Children s Homes and Services OUR MISSION: To provide Christ-centered services to children in need and their families. Presbyterian Children s Homes and Services (PCHAS) got its start in 1903, when a mother dying from tuberculosis asked her minister to help her find someone to care for her four young children. Over the past century, this ministry has expanded to meet the needs of today s families. We serve children age birth to 17 who have suffered from neglect, abuse and abandonment, or children whose families are experiencing some type of crisis, such as the death of a parent, divorce, illness, violence, homelessness, parental drug/alcohol abuse and other issues that threaten family stability. Presbyterian Children s Homes and Services has five main programs: Group Homes, Foster Care, Child and Family, Single Parent Family and Educational Programs. PCHAS is a 501(c)3 charitable organization committed to fulfilling our mission of providing Christ-centered care and family support regardless of race, gender, religion, national origin, or financial resources. PCHAS is a ministry of Presbyterian Church (USA) and licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. This agency is a sponsor agency of the Teaching-Family Association and a member of the national association of Presbyterian Children s Homes and Related Ministries. Presbyterian Village ABOUT: Grace Presbyterian Village is a continuing care retirement community founded in 1962 and located on 27 beautiful wooded acres in Oak Cliff. We are a member of Dallas-based Presbyterian Communities and Services, a not-for-profit organization, and we pledge to enrich the lives of those we serve by providing exceptional care and services in a faith-based culture. Our wide range of services includes residential living, assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation, outpatient therapy, and Alzheimer's and dementia care. Our programs and services are available to persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, or disability. We have been blessed to form relationships with organizations throughout our community, including partnerships with area universities, volunteer groups, and churches of various denominations. These affiliations help us make Each Moment Matter.
Sharing Life Community Outreach ABOUT US: As a non-profit, benevolent organization our primary goal is to come along side individuals and families who need help obtaining the basic necessities of life. We offer a food pantry, a clothes closet, a holiday program, utility assistance for those who are subject to disconnection of water, gas or electrical services, assistance in purchasing necessary prescriptions, assistance to single parents in obtaining child care and assistance in getting gasoline to search for a job or get to work. In addition to these tangible helps, SLCO also offers educational programs to enrich the lives and futures of our clients. We offer job skills training that includes basic computing skills and standard business applications, job interview skills classes which include resume writing and dressing for success, parenting classes, a twelve step class for those struggling with addiction and a mentoring program for young, single mothers. Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County Volunteers donate thousands of hours of service each year at Union Gospel Mission. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities for both individuals and groups, including: Activities Adopt-a-Room Chapel Speakers & Musicians Development Office & General Administrative Help Donations and Drives Gardening Healing Shepherd Clinic Kitchen Service Letters of Encouragement Tutoring Warehouse TUTORING Time: 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Monday-Thursday Commitment: Ongoing, weekly Volunteer Type: Individual ADOPT A ROOM Time: Monday-Saturday Commitment: One time Volunteer Type: Individual, group We welcome you to paint the walls, hang drapes, bring new linens for the beds (1 to 5 twin beds in each room), decorate, and/or lay rugs. It is a fun opportunity for volunteers and our residents love having their rooms updated with a new look. Adopt-a-room volunteers must first meet with the resident(s) whose room they will be adopting in order to discuss needed updates, color preferences, etc. CHAPEL SPEAKERS AND MUSICIANS Time: Afternoons and evenings, 7 days a week Commitment: One time, ongoing (if ongoing, volunteers must attend a 6-hour training course) Volunteer Type: Individual, group We welcome individuals and groups who are interested in sharing God s love by leading a chapel service or sharing their musical talent.
Church Under the Bridge HISTORY: In 1992, a Christian couple from Waco and a Baylor student spent some time getting to know several of the homeless men sleeping under the Interstate 35 bridge. Over the next few months, the men accepted the invitation to meet fort Bible study on Sunday mornings at the bridge. Over the weeks and months, the small group grew to include more homeless folks, other lower income people, and local community persons who either had no church experience or felt like they did not fit in other local churches. Many of the basic needs of the lower income and homeless were met through the shared resources available. Within a couple of years, the Bible study group realized God was doing something more than just a Bible study. Thus, Church Under the Bridge acknowledged its existence and began taking on more responsibilities as the Body of Christ. MISSION: Church Under the Bridge attempts to avoid denominational, cultural, economic, or racial distinctions. We are a multi-cultural church committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the unity of His Spirit. We welcome folks from wide and diverse backgrounds to love God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with all their heart, soul, and mind, and to love their neighbors as themselves. Join us in our Sunday service at 11:00am. We meet under I-35 and 4th Street. Meals are served at 10:30am. May we come together, black, white, brown, rich and poor, educated in the streets and in the university, all worshipping the living God, who makes us one. Interfaith Housing Coalition HISTORY: Interfaith Housing Coalition was founded in 1985 to provide transitional housing and support services to homeless families. Through the years, a broad coalition of individuals, foundations, churches, and service groups have joined the ministry, effectively leveraging volunteer, in-kind and financial resources throughout the community. The Landscape Has Changed: Initially designed to help families with situational homelessness stabilize and move forward within 90 days, the Interfaith Housing program has evolved to provide an in-depth approach to address the root issues of generational poverty and homelessness. Find out more about our Home & Hope Residential Program which helps homeless families transform to self sufficiency. Also, find out how our EQUIP program is helping prevent homelessness by working in partnership with local churches.
Youth Mission Initiative Photo Release Form I hereby consent to and authorize the use and reproduction, in print or electronic format by First Presbyterian Church, Mesquite, TX or anyone authorized by First Presbyterian Church, Mesquite, TX, of any and all photographs which have been taken on the Youth Mission Initiative (August 1, 2010 through August 7, 2010) for any publicity purpose, without compensation. All images--electronic, negatives and positives, together with the prints, are owned by First Presbyterian Church, Mesquite, TX. I hereby acknowledge that I have read and understood the terms of this release. Signature of Youth Date Signature of Parent Date (if youth under 18 years old)
A. First Presbyterian Church of Mesquite 1028 South Belt Line Road, Mesquite, TX! - (972) 285-5602! 2010 Google - Map data 2010 Google -