Disciples Unlimited Mission Trip 2018 Blackfeet Nation - Montana June 23 July 1, 2018 Informational Handbook Disciples Unlimited PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 5675 Field Street Arvada Colorado 80002 303/424-4454 www.peacelutheran.net Information Each summer YouthWorks provides life-changing Christ-centered mission trips for over 30,000 students and adult leaders in over 70 communities across North America. They exist to connect teenagers to God, each other, and communities through life-changing, Christ-centered mission
trips that prioritize youth, communities, respectful service, relationships, diversity, and development. The vision of YouthWorks is to provide life-changing, Christ-centered mission trips to serve God s multidenominational church. They want to empower every teenager to know God and be like Jesus in the ways they love and serve others, and their desire is the same for churches, families, staff, and communities. They aim to create experiences that broaden perspectives, ignite passions, expose possibilities, and inspire pursuits. How's it Work? Blackfeet Nation is home to just under 60 percent of the 16,000 Blackfeet tribal members, and is the third largest reservation in Montana. Youth will partner with YouthWorks to bring encouragement and enthusiasm to the community of Heart Butte, in Blackfeet Nation, by serving through various work projects and by helping YouthWorks facilitate a Kids Club program. They may also have the chance to help with Outrageous Sports Camp, a program requested by the local school to give preteens in the community something to do during the summer. Throughout the week, youth will build relationships with community members, and also experience Blackfeet culture, heritage, and stories. REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION Must be a member of Peace Lutheran Church OR, if a member of another Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod Congregation or a non-member, the youth must obtain the approval of the the Director of Student Ministry and the accompanying adult leaders. Must be entering at least the 9th grade in the fall of 2017. Must be willing to work in Christian community with Peace Lutheran Disciples Unlimited, striving to serve others in Christ s name. CHRISTIAN GUIDELINES Family-living covenants will be established and agreed upon by those who register for the Peace Lutheran Disciples Unlimited Mission Trip 2018. However, the following guidelines are agreed upon when registering: The participant agrees to live according to Christian principles and will respect the rights of group members and the authority of all adult leaders, and will agree to follow the established family covenants. All laws of the United States, and any state or nation in which we travel, and of the city/towns in which we will be staying will be observed. The participant agrees to attend and participate in all "Disciples Unlimited Mission Trip 2018" activities and will follow all "Disciples Unlimited Mission Trip 2018 guidelines. The participant agrees to attend all pre-gathering meetings, fund-raisers, and training events. The Director of Student Ministry and adult leaders reserve the right to send home, at the parent's expense, any participant who consistently or flagrantly violates the guidelines and principles of Christian community living. TRAVEL Travel, as currently planned, will be by 15 passenger vans. Departure and arrival times will be announced as plans develop. We currently plan on leaving on Saturday morning, June 23 rd, and will arrive in Heart Butte, MT, on June 24 th. We will return to Arvada late in the day of Sunday, July 1 st. Some side-trips will be also planned as part of the "Disciples Unlimited Mission Trip 2018 experience. Some of the side-trip possibilities include swimming, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
It is understood all those traveling with Peace Lutheran Disciples Unlimited on this "Disciples Unlimited Mission Trip 2018 will remain with the group throughout the entire trip. Individuals will not be allowed to make their own travel arrangements unless extenuating circumstances exist. Prior approval by the Director of Student Ministry and the accompanying adult leaders is necessary. SICKNESS OR INJURY All who register with Peace Lutheran Disciples Unlimited will need to provide: A notarized form authorizing emergency medical treatment at the discretion of the adult leaders. Families are responsible for any expenses that may occur. A copy of the participants most recent insurance card, front and back. PAYMENT POLICY Payment of all fees is the responsibility of each participant and his/her family. Peace Lutheran Disciples Unlimited will work to assist each individual in offsetting much of the cost through fundraisers throughout the coming months. It is expected that all who register are committing themselves to work in cooperation with others who wish to go in order to raise the funds. All funds from a given fundraiser will be divided evenly among the students attending the mission trip. The Disciples Unlimited Adult Leaders and Director of Student Ministry will be responsible for collecting the money needed and paying the necessary bills at the appropriate times. The payment schedule is listed below. Families and the Director of Student Ministry may mutually work out a different payment plan if it is needed. REMEMBER, funds raised by the group will be credited to those individuals participating in the mission trip and will count toward this payment schedule. PAYMENT SCHEDULE A $100.00 NON-REFUNDABLE registration fee is due by Sept. 27, 2017. (CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Peace Lutheran Disciples Unlimited, with 2018MT in the memo line) NON-REFUNABLE REGISTRATION FEE: Due SEPT. 27, 2017 $100.00 SCHOLARSHIP: From Peace Lutheran Church $100.00 FUNDRAISING: In DU Account $150.00 ($225 2 nd child) PAYMENT #2 DUE: Jan. 7, 2018 $100.00 ($87.50 2 nd child) FINAL PERSONAL PAYMENT: Due April 11, 2018 $150.00 ($87.50 2 nd child) TOTAL. $ 600.00 (Total out of pocket cost is $350.00 per 1 st child, $275 per 2 nd child)
NOTE: The Board of Student Ministry has adopted a policy that a registration fee be expected from each participant. We believe a personal financial commitment is an important part of committing to a project or goal. FUND RAISING POLICY All funds paid directly by the individual, registered youth remain the property of that individual and his/her family until the specified deadlines. The one exception is the registration fee, which is non-refundable. (See item below.) All funds raised through group activities remain the property of Peace Lutheran Disciples Unlimited to be utilized only for the trip and will be credited to mission trip costs as long as the individual is registered. After September, 27, 2017, the $100.00 registration fee is forfeited by any person who cancels. Payment #2 is refundable up until January 7, 2018. After this date payment #2 is non-refundable. This portion of the fee can be regained if that person finds a substitute to take his/her place on the "Disciples Unlimited Mission Trip 2018. No refunds will be made after April 11, 2018. Any funds left over in the Disciples Unlimited account at the end of the "Disciples Unlimited Mission Trip 2018" will be designated for the next "youth trip" chosen by Peace Lutheran Disciples Unlimited, if those funds exceed $100.00. These will be administered by the Peace Lutheran Disciples Unlimited at the time of that chosen gathering or trip. If the amount remaining is less than $100.00, such funds can also be used for a service project, mission project, or other activity chosen by Peace Lutheran Disciples Unlimited. If a student does not participate in some way (at the discretion of the Director of Student Ministry) in one of the main group-building fundraisers (Super Bowl subs, Dessert Theater/Silent Auction, 3 rd As-Needed fundraiser) then the individual amount raised per mission trip participant for the missed fundraiser will be applied to their Mission Trip account balance. TENTATIVE BUDGET Though this budget is accurate based upon current information, it may be subject to revision according to unforeseen assessments and costs. YouthWorks Youth Group Mission Trips (set fee): $289 Food (12 meals): $140 Side Activities: $100 Travel, etc : $71 TOTAL COST PER PERSON: $600.00 (plus spending and souvenir money) PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Let us know if you/your student would like to attend the Mission Trip and cost is a problem. We would like to explain the concept of the fund raisers and/or make arrangements to help your student attend.
GOALS: Disciples Unlimited Mission Trip 2018 WORSHIP To have the opportunity to join in worship and praise with other Christian youth, children, and adults, and in those we meet during the Mission Trip. To have the opportunity to experience Word and Sacrament celebration in a variety of settings. To grow spiritually...within Disciples Unlimited through group devotions and as an individual through personal reflection in worship and through leading worship. To worship (give worth to) God as we witness through our actions and our words. To have the opportunity to develop a deeper trust in Christ CONNECT To experience activities with one another within our group, within the larger Christian community at the mission location, and within the communities in which we work. To provide an environment where Christian fellowship can be developed and maintained - within and without our group. To provide opportunities for developing skills for living in Christian community. To provide an opportunity to meet and fellowship with Christians - in other communities and cultures. To have the opportunity to experience the joy of gathering with Christians of other ethnic backgrounds. To have the opportunity to develop skills in caring for one another. To have the opportunity to develop and experience the closeness of Christian community within our group, with adult leaders, and with those with whom we come in contact during the "Mission Trip." To have the opportunity to learn how to set goals and work toward completing these goals. To have the opportunity to learn how to get along with others. To be able to learn stewardship skills such as setting priorities, organizing time, and budgeting money. To have the opportunity to learn skills in coping with new situations. To have the opportunity to have community Bible Study with other Christians.
To be able to experience other lifestyles, practices, and customs within the larger Christian community. To experience joy and discovery in our travel and side-trips as a group. To be able to learn how to use witness skills and opportunities effectively. SERVE To learn how to support and help one another in being successfully able to go on this trip and serve one another by protecting/caring for our property and living facilities. To enable other Christian organizations to carry out their ministries as we assist in work projects that further their goals. To provide the opportunity to become part of God s call to Love our Neighbor through humbly serving others. Questions? Please contact Ruth Furr Director of Student Ministry E-Mail: rfurr@peacelutheran.net Office: 303-424-4454 Cell: 970-231-2082