Work Trip 2009

I just returned from Camp Reynoldswood in Dixon, IL, after a few days working with youth and adults from Union Congregational UCC in Somonauk and one student from First Congregational UCC in DeKalb, IL. What a great week!

Here are a few highlights:

• I cannot say enough good things about the 8 youth and adults who were with me on this trip. (There were, in total, 9 of us on the trip for all or part of it) Each person came to serve, to learn, and to live out love for God and for each other. Every task -- every moment we were there I witnessed that love.
• The work projects we participated in included painting, gardening, clean-up and Tipi setup.
• By far our favorite experience working involved Tipi setup. We learned (at first by doing it wrong) how to set up Tipis for the Northern Illinois Conference United Methodist Church's Tipi Camp -- a Native American camp experience. Through that experience we met several wonderful people and had a chance to get to know many more folks that we would have if we had spent more time in the garden or painting.
• I cannot say enough good things about the staff at Camp Reynoldswood, either. I had attended there about 30 years ago as a junior high student and they went to great lengths to help make this workcamp experience a wonderful one.

You're invited to have a look at pictures from the week -- check them out!

Habitat/Volunteer camp 2008 - 1

Tomorrow I'm wearing shorts and a T-shirt to church. I think I'll also wear work boots

During worship, we'll commission 5 of us as we prepare to travel to Sawyer, Michigan for the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ's Habitat/Volunteer camp. (page 12)

First stops - (after lunch) Willowcrest and Ironwood care centers in Sandwich, IL - We'll sing some songs and share about our upcoming trip

Then it's off to Tower Hill camp. I don't know exactly what we'll be working on this week, but I do know that the 5 from Union Congregational UCC will be joined by adults and students from several other congregations in the Illinois Conference.

I'll post a few times if the internet connection cooperates -- if not, I'll post when we return. In either case I'll be twittering quick updates.

Student Mission Trip Packets

I've got a few articles in the latest edtion of Interlinc's music magazine. (YLO 70) Here's a "practical help" article I wrote about those little packets you can put together for students on mission trips.


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Practical Help
Putting together student packets for mission trips

Written by Kirk Moore
Union Congregational United Church of Christ, Somonauk, IL
kirk@revkirk.com


The location is set. The funds are raised (or they’re close!) The students and leaders are signed up and ready for the trip. You’ve got almost everything ready.

Here’s one more thing that will be helpful for this year’s mission trip.

Student trip packets

I know – the name isn’t all that glamorous, but the packets can really help make the week a great one.

Here’s what the packets should include:

• A title page with artwork that describes the trip.
  Maybe the same thing you put on the T-shirt? Be sure to get the permission of the artwork designer.


• Devotional verses that relate to expected trip emotions.
  You can find great verse references in a Gideon’s Bible or in many other bibles right off your bookshelf.


• A schedule for the week.
  Be sure to include times for morning devotions and evening devotions – getting ready for the day and unpacking the events of the day – you can probably use the devotional verses.


• Songlist and lyric sheets.
  What’s a youth mission trip without great singing time? Try to include many favorites and a few new songs for the group to learn. Don’t forget to follow copyright rules and include your CCLI number.


• Memories pages.
  End each book with a page or two where students can write encouraging words to each other at the end of the week. Students will spend hours reading these memory pages for years to come.


• Give each student a folder to keep their packet from getting damaged after the trip.

Would you like to see an example? Email me and I’ll send you a file of a student packet from a recent trip!