We invite you to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities described in these pages and join us in reaching out to our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world. In doing so, you will experience the vastness of Christ’s church and build relationships
you will never forget.
• Unless stated otherwise in the trip description, all ages and abilities are welcome to apply.
• Trip costs include airfare, most meals, lodging, and ground transportation.
• Deposit checks should be made payable to Fourth Presbyterian Church.
• Scholarship applications are available upon request.
• Individuals traveling on international mission trips must have passports valid for at least six months beyond the end of the trip. A copy of the first two pages of the passport must be submitted with trip applications.
• Reflective worship is an important part of every trip. Leaders include experienced lay leaders and members of the Fourth Church program and clergy staff.
• While our carefully selected hosts make every effort to follow announced plans and itineraries, we must accept the blessing that plans change—often in wonderful and unexpected ways.
For more information about these Fourth Church mission trips or to learn about trips sponsored by partner agencies, such as the Presbytery of Chicago, Opportunity International, or Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America, contact Vicki Reynolds, Director of Mission, at vreynolds@fourthchurch.org (312.981.3384).
New Orleans (trip one)
December 29, 2007–January 6, 2008
Continuing to help rebuild homes
The holiday season is a time for giving, and few places in the U.S. are more in need of our gifts than New Orleans. Many neighborhoods have barely been touched in the two-plus years since Katrina. So again this year Fourth Church is participating in the ongoing work of New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity. We have invited Chicago Sinai Congregation and Old St. Pat’s Catholic Church to join us.
Habitat brings together volunteers and partner families to build decent, affordable housing, from foundation to roof. No experience is required. Training is done on site and volunteers are encouraged to try out new skills.
Projects vary according to current needs. We can expect to
• landscape
• install wallboard, doors, and floors
• install a roof
• paint
Tools are provided. Accommodations are basic. Minimum age for participants is 16 (14 with direct parental supervision).
Trip leaders: Doug Pond, Fourth Church Elder; John Vest,
Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry
Application deadline: October 22, 2007 (with $350 deposit)
Cost: Approximately $800
New Orleans (trip two)
April 27–May 3, 2008
Continuing to help rebuild homes
Fourth Church continues its partnership with St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church and its RHINO program (Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans).
Projects vary according to current needs. RHINO work teams will
• build new homes in the city with Habitat for Humanity
• work with the Presbytery of South Louisiana’s Project Homecoming to rebuild homes.
• receive a guided tour of New Orleans and witness the continuing struggle to reestablish lives
Accommodations are basic, with bunk beds provided at the church’s air-conditioned annex, a former Victorian manse with a wonderful front porch and big rocking chairs ideal for sitting and sharing the day’s experiences.
Tools are furnished. RHINO also provides a stocked kitchen for breakfast and lunch preparation and serves several dinners provided by St. Charles Avenue church members; we also eat in nearby Garden District restaurants. Skilled and licensed tradespeople are particularly needed. Minimum age for participants is 16.
Trip leaders: Dana Ferguson, Executive Associate Pastor;
Martha Langford, Pastoral Resident; Lisa Radetski, Director of Giving Ministry
Application deadline: February 18, 2008 (with $350 deposit)
Cost: Approximately $800
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Cameroon
February 8–20, 2008
Focusing on Cameroon America AIDS Alliance
The Cameroon America AIDS Alliance (CAAA) was established by Fourth Church members and friends to provide modern treatment protocols and training for local health care providers in Cameroon. CAAA also educates local clergy serving on the front lines of the
HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa so that they may influence people
to prevent disease and seek treatment.
On this trip, led by Fourth Church Elder and Cameroon native
Francis Ntowe, we will
• witness the compassionate work of Fourth Church Elder Dr. Bernard Blaauw and others in treating patients at the Presbyterian clinic in Kumba
• learn how the CAAA’s model approach to HIV/AIDS can be replicated throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly with conferences to train pastors to effectively address their congregants about the epidemic and testing, treatment and prevention
• appreciate the natural wonders of Cameroon, known as
“Africa in miniature” because it exhibits coast, desert, mountains, rainforest, and savanna
Trip leaders: Francis Ntowe, Fourth Church Elder; Ann Mellott, Fourth Church Elder; Adam Fronczek, Associate Pastor for
Adult Education and Worship
Application deadline: November 5, 2007 (with $1,000 deposit)
Cost: Approximately $3,300
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Cuba
April 2–6, 2008
Fourth Church Youth Choir sings in Havana
Fourth Church continues its unique sister church relationship with First Presbyterian Church of Havana (“Una Luz en la Ciudad”) with a special trip in 2008.
Our Youth Choir (grades 5–8), which sings in the 9:30 a.m. worship service September through May, has been invited to perform at First Havana.
Choir members, their parents, and leaders will stay at the air-conditioned dormitory of First Havana in the center of Cuba’s capital city. Most meals will be served in the church dining room. Participants will
• learn about Cuban culture
• listen to great music
• witness exciting programs and projects of First Havana, including its baseball teams
• attend lively worship services celebrating the gospel to a Latin beat
• interact with children, parents, and staff of First Havana
Participation of others in this trip is limited due to its special focus. Additionally, our license to visit Cuba, as granted by the U.S. government, requires that all participants must be members of Fourth Presbyterian Church.
Trip leaders: Donna Gray, Minister for Children and Families;
Beverly Escuder, Director of Children and Youth Music; John Vest, Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry
Application deadline: January 7, 2008 (with $1,000 deposit)
Cost: Approximately $1,800
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Urban Plunge: Chicago
May 30–June 1, 2008
Feeding body and soul on the South Side
The South Side is a part of our world that is as foreign to some Chicagoans as other countries are. Here is a new opportunity to visit the Angelic Organics Learning Center, an organization that helps rural and urban people build local food systems. The Learning Center’s Urban Initiatives office in Chicago is at the First Presbyterian Church of Chicago (6400 S. Kimbark).
We will learn about the challenges of local food access on the South Side of Chicago, in the Woodlawn and Englewood neighborhoods, and see how urban food producers are answering the challenges. Activities on this trip will include
• gathering Friday evening at the First Presbyterian Church in Woodlawn for a meal prepared with foods harvested at Angelic Organics; Martha Boyd will give a presentation on the ministry of Angelic Organics on the South Side of Chicago
• walking the new portable Fourth Church labyrinth, which we will take with us to First Presbyterian Church
• working alongside members of First Presbyterian Church on Saturday as they ready the church for the June Presbytery meeting
• worshiping at First Presbyterian Church and participating in their Coffee Hour
• sharing group fellowship as we work, play, and prepare our meals together
Transportation from and to Fourth Church will be provided. We will eat and sleep overnight (2 nights) at First Presbyterian Church.
Trip leader: Stanley Smith, Fourth Church Deacon
Application deadline: May 19, 2008 (with $50 deposit)
Cost: Approximately $150
(Angelic Organics also is hosting a Family Farm Weekend in July)
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Lakota Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations
June 22–27, 2008
Reconciling with Native Americans
Lakota (Sioux) Indians of South Dakota’s Great Plains describe life as a spiritual journey to reconnect with those who have gone before us. In this trip, we witness this journey on the Lakota Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations near Rapid City and celebrate our shared faith in one Creator.
Mission trip participants are challenged to fully appreciate their visit as a learning experience, to see how Native Americans maintain a vital link to their rich heritage. They will be inspired by the work of Tillie Black Bear, who has dedicated her life to finding local solutions to the escalating social epidemics of domestic violence and teen suicide, which threaten the Native American culture’s future.
We can expect to
• strive toward reconciliation with Native Americans
• gain deeper understanding of Native American spirituality
• listen to Native American stories
• visit Wounded Knee
• tour the magnificent Badlands and Black Hills
Trip leaders: Vicki Reynolds, Director of Mission; Elizabeth Andrews, Parish Associate
Application deadline: March 17, 2008 (with $500 deposit)
Cost: Approximately $1,400
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Family Farm Weekend: Caledonia, Illinois
This trip has been cancelled.
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Guatemala
August 2–9, 2008
Common Hope for a better life
We continue our relationship with Common Hope (“Familias de Esperanza”), a U.S.-based organization operating a well-established family and community-development project based near the charming city of Antigua.
We join hearts and hands to work alongside Guatemalans, many of them indigenous Maya, in a mission of compassion and respect amidst wrenching poverty and warm smiles. We participate as a “vision team” in the multifaceted work of Common Hope.
Daily activities encompass
• education and play at an on-site school
• health care through an on-site clinic
• social worker visits to area families
• housing initiatives in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity
We fly to Guatemala City and ride by van to the Common Hope complex. We stay in a secure dormitory and prepare meals in the kitchen. Side trips include visits to nearby villages to meet with independent coffee growers and to Antigua to enjoy dinner and joyous marimba and mandolin music.
Trip leader: Tom and Sue Schemper, Fourth Church members
Application deadline: May 5, 2008 (with $1,000 deposit)
Cost: Approximately $2,100
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For more information on all mission trips:
Vicki Reynolds, Director of Mission
vreynolds@fourthchurch.org
Direct line: 312.981.3384
Fourth Presbyterian Church
126 E. Chestnut Street
Chicago, IL 60611.2014
To
download the 2008 mission trip application, click here.
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