Dear Parents and Students,
A few weeks ago, we shared with the high school students that, because of limited space, St. Paul’s had decided to restrict the 2019 Chicago Urban Mission Trip to high school students only (the trip has room for 14 service volunteers, two spots will be for chaperones and St. Paul’s already has five students committed at this time, leaving seven available places). We have been so fortunate to be able to join St. Paul’s on this mission trip over the course of many years. Their youth director, Erica Jeglum, does the leg work of set up, logistics, and running the trip.
When we shared this news, we also asked people if they would be interested in a different type of service weekend where we would stay at Waycross Camp & Conference Center in Morgantown, Indiana, and work with organizations near the facility. Many people expressed interest in this option. Since the location was closer, the shorter experience might mean that participating would not interfere with sports and other activities.
We are excited to share that Erica and I are working with Waycross, St. Paul’s, and organizations in the area to have a mini-service trip Sunday, January 20 – Monday, January 21, for both high school and middle school students. The plan is that we would leave directly after church on Sunday and return around 5:00 pm on Monday.
The Waycross trip is the same weekend as the high school-only trip to Chicago, so students will not be able to do both. The Brown County service trip will involve working with local ministries partners such as Mother’s Cupboard Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen, the St. Vincent DePaul Center, and others. The cost is TBD, but will be less than the Chicago trip and will not be more than $75.
Because we are working on a very short timeline to get everything reserved, could you please respond ASAP to the doodle poll (below) to indicate your interest/participation in the Waycross Trip or the Chicago Mission Trip? We are also looking for a few adults to attend the Waycross Trip; this would require being present for the whole trip, including leaving after church on Sunday, January 20, and staying through Monday, January 21. Please indicate if you are interested in being an adult volunteer on the doodle poll as well.
If you are a high school student and have not signed up for the Chicago Trip but want to come, please do so here:
If we find that there is more interest than space, spaces will be filled on a first come-first served basis:
We are thrilled about both these opportunities, and hope many of you will be able to join us on one of them!
Kate Bender, for the St. Christopher’s Youth Design Team
