Sunday, Oct 2, 11:30 Mission Trip Presentation

Greetings Chicago trip participants and parents!

This Sunday we are scheduled to do a presentation to people after worship/Sunday school.

Brooke, Jena, & Deb have all said they would be willing to say or read something for the presentation. Sean said he is willing to share something himself.

Those of you who are not able to be here on Sunday, please type into the comment section of this blog post something that you wish to share about the trip. I think people would like to know your reflections on the trip--what did you learn about homelessness? what did you learn about feeding a crowd economically? what was the best part of going to Chicago on this trip?

Those of you who will be here, please feel free to make the comments to the posts too. Or just type them up and have them available to read.

I have a bunch of photos from the Benoits and some from facebook that we can look at via the web. I will have my computer to use. I also thought we could just use this blog as our notes to read and share info from.

Please come on Sunday at 9:20 to go over a plan before worship. Bring yourself and whatever you have to share. Please comment on this post to log anything you wish to have online.

Thank you!

Nita

Chicago Trip--Sharing with Congregation & Community

Greetings, trip participants!

Wow, we have been back for two weeks now from Chicago and lots has happened in our lives. In another two weeks, school will be underway. I wanted to touch base with you all about a few things related to our commitment to share about the trip with our community and congregation. First of all, I have heard great things from those who have viewed our blog and seen pictures on facebook. Thanks to everyone who helped push that along and shared links with family and friends.

On the way home, two of the vans were able to share feedback on the trip. It would be great if Amy, Heather, Hannah J, Ben J, and Max could chime in with their answers to the following...

The craziest thing about the trip:

The most meaningful thing about the trip:

The most fun thing about the trip:

The most intense/difficult thing about the trip:

The most adventurous thing about the trip:

You can add a comment after this blog post or send your answers to me via email and I'll compile and post them like the others. Either way is fine!

In addition to this blog, there are two other things in the plans. Emily wrote an article for the Dunn County News and for the church newsletter which will go out soon.

The other plan in the works is that on Sunday, October 2, we have "Neighbors in Need" Sunday where we have a special offering for our church's outreach to people in need. We thought that would be a good day to have a powerpoint presentation to share during coffee/juice fellowship time.

Please check your schedules to see if you can be there that day. In order to share the responsibility for this presentation, perhaps the food teams can put heads together to share something in person about the trip or volunteer to do a powerpoint with pics. The powerpoint could be done any time. Kristen has digital photos that could be shared and I know many of you have pics too.

Please post a comment to share how you can be involved in the Oct 2 event &, if you are one who has not shared your "craziest, most meaningful, fun, intense/difficult, adventurous" things about the trip, please do!...or email: nitaucc@yahoo.com

Trip Reflections by Kristen, Deb, Rachel, Brooke, Jena and Emily

The craziest thing about the trip:
The dancing at Ed Debevic's (Rachel)
Sleeping in an old haunted church (Brook)
Playing Curses (Kristen)
Washing my hair in the sink (Jena)
Eating a deep-fried Snickers bar somewhereh other than the Minnesota State Fair (Emily)
Sean, Ben and Todd eating jalapeños (Deb)

The most meaningful thing about the trip:
Connecting with people at the shelter (Brook)
Playing games with people at the shelter (Rachel)
Getting to know the guests at the shelter (Jena)
Eating dinner with the people at the shelter (Emily)
Getting to know the guests and seeing the youth interacting with each other and gelling as a group (Kristen)
The appreciation we received from the people at the shelter (Deb)

The most fun thing about the trip:
Ed Debevic's (Jena and Deb)
The Art Institute (Rachel)
Second City (Brook, Emily, and Kristen)

The most intense/difficult thing about the trip:
Getting the timing right for serving the meals (Kristen)
Figuring out the right amounts of food to serve (Deb)
Walking all around Chicago in 100 degree weather (Jena)
The crowds at the taste of Lincoln Park (Rachel)
Leaving (Brook and Emily)

The most adventurous thing about the trip:
Using the public transportation (Rachel)
Navigating the streets and transit system (Deb)
Exploring new areas of Chicago (Kristen)
Exploring the church (Emily)
Exploring and living in a church (Jena)
Walking in dark streets in a big city (Rachel)

Trip Reflections from Todd, Nita, Ben C, Sean W

The craziest thing about the trip:

Using the mass transit (Sean)

Ed Debevic's (Todd)

Showers at the church (Nita)

Going to the Paul McCartney concert (Ben)

The most meaningful thing about the trip:

Making the food for the homeless people (Sean)

Getting to know the guests at the shelter (Todd)

Talking to the guests during suppers (Ben)

Seeing all of our group engaged with serving and participating at the shelter (Nita)

The most fun thing about the trip:

Paul McCartney concert from the alley behind the Wrigley Field (Sean)

Taking the kids to the beach (Lincoln Park) (Todd)

Second City (Ben)

Taking Sean & Ben to listen to Paul McCartney (Nita)

The most intense/difficult thing about the trip:

Walking everywhere (Sean)

Walking....(Ben)

Helping people figure out moving from point A to point B and that kind of thing (Nita)

Figuring out public transit (Todd)

The most adventurous thing about the trip:

Making friends at the homeless shelter (Todd, Sean)

Just going around Chicago, seeing the city lit up at night (Ben)

Embarking on this great trip with these wonderful people! (Nita)

Last day in Chicago--Monday plans...

We served our last meal at Lincoln Park Community Shelter this morning (Kristen, Todd, Jena & Ben J) and the sack lunch team has one more lunch to prepare today (Heather, Amy, Sean, Max, Ben C).

Today we plan to be out and about--a museum for each of us (Shedd,Art, Field), maybe time back at the beach (Lincoln Park), then out to Ed Debevic's for supper and Second City. It's our last night together in Chicago.

Last night Sean heard from one of the shelter guests that Paul McCartney was playing at Wrigley Field. He was sooooo excited. Amy R-S, Nita, Sean, & Ben C. took the Red Line up to Addison stop to see if we could hear him. We could!! Sean was especially happy!! Ben, Amy, and Nita also enjoyed the excursion.

The church just had a yoga class in our usual meeting space so we've been waiting to get back in there. We are about to begin our day away...

More later.

Saturday

Saturday morning one team made breakfast and served it at the church where we are staying. The people were at the church to get breakfast and learn about the program at the Lincoln Park Community Shelter.

After breakfast, several of us did our grocery shopping and got organized for making lunches and serving dinners.

We had free time in the afternoon and got lunch at the Taste of Lincoln Avenue. Some checked our the vendors at the craft market and had some big city sticker shock. Most of us spent the later part of the afternoon at the beach in Lincoln Park. Almost all of us at least put our feet in the water, but Sean, Max, Ben and Emily wore their swim suits and spent a lot of time playing in the waves of Lake Michigan.

In the evening there was more grocery shopping and one group served the first dinner at the LPCS. Those not preparing the meals hung out and played games or got to know the guests at the shelter. All of us ate dinner with the guests.  

Here's what the kids said about the experience of meeting the guests. "Talking with guests was surprisingly comfortable. We were expecting it to awkward but it wasn't. They were nice, open, approachable and easy to talk to. Not like the stereo typical homeless people you see in the movies."

In the evening all the kids played fun interactive game called Curses. They had a great job and the group seems to be bonding well.

Our First Evening in Chicago

We arrived in Chicago at St Paul's UCC about 4:30. We were glad to have made it through rush hour traffic safely. Yay!  The church is lovely and there is ample space in the church for all of us to sleep. The neighborhood here is beautiful. The streets are tree-lined with  brownstone style houses. It will be a nice area to explore during our time here.

We got settled in a bit and then walked over to the Lincoln Park Community shelter and got a short orientation tour. Julia, our contact there, showed us the living quarters and the kitchen where we will prepare food starting with supper on Saturday. It is very welcoming and interesting to learn about it. We are excited to begin our work there.

We were pleasantly surprised to learn that the residents set the tables and also do most of the dishes. That will make our part a little easier. Some of the residents were watching Tv in the common room and said hello to us. We will get to know them when have our first meal with them tomorrow evening.

After our visit, we went back to St Paul's and decided to hit Navy Pier right away so we could eat there and have plenty of time to check it out. We had fun, went on a few rides, did a little souvenir shopping and had a most interesting ride on the El.

We are all pretty tired and hope we get a good night's sleep so we are well rested for our busy day tomorrow.

And We're Off!

We have departed Menomonie and are Chicago bound! We have a long drive, but are excited to be on our way.

Final Schedule for Chicago Mission Trip 2011

St Paul’s UCC: 773-348-3829 (Kathy or Gary)

Lincoln Park Community Shelter: 773-549-6111, x 216

Friday July 29	8 AM Gather at church; leave by 8:20 3-4 PM Arrive Lincoln Park, settle in at St Paul’s UCC (meet Kathy or Gary for orientation to the church bldg) 5 PM Lincoln Park Community Shelter orientation 6:30 to 10:30 Out on the town (Navy Pier) 11 PM: Bedtime	COSTS for Participants Out of Pocket Navy Pier ($5/ride) Supper out ($10) Snacks for late night ($2/person)
Saturday July 30	7:30 AM Prep for Breakfast at St Paul’s UCC; eat at 9 AM (Doors open 8 AM; store things in 2 smaller rooms when not sleeping except for Sunday when we pile stuff in a corner because they use our rooms) 11-5: Grocery shopping & Out on the town (e.g., Lincoln Park Zoo, museum) 6 PM: Prep for supper at LPCS; eat 7:30; make sack lunches (grocery shopping for breakfast) 9 PM: Head to Navy Pier again 10:15 PM Fireworks @ Navy Pier 11:30: Back to Bed!	Lunch out (or make our own sack lunches?): $7 ($3) Evening walk snack: $3 Activity Admission: $15 Options: Taste of Lincoln Ave (noon-10p) Lincoln Park Zoo/Frisbee etc
Sunday July 31	7:30 AM: Up, eat breakfast “in”, pack up stuff by 8:15 because it is Sunday. (move stuff to a corner because our rooms will be in use); attend worship: St Paul’s at 10 AM 11 AM to 5 PM: Out on the town (e.g. Lincoln Park Zoo, museum) & grocery shopping for supper and lunches. (OK to come back to the church after 1 PM) 6 PM: Prep for supper at LPCS; eat 7:30; make sack lunches 9 PM: local walk for ice cream 11 PM: Bedtime	Lunch out: $7 Evening church snacks or for walk: $3 Activity admission: $15? Options: Taste of Lincoln Ave (noon-10p) Lincoln Park Zoo/Frisbee etc Field Mus/Art Mus
Monday August 1	6 AM Prepare breakfast at LPCS; eat 7:30 AM make sack lunches sometime today Open day for more exploring (LPCS Q/A time; +) Make supper at St Paul’s for ourselves or eat out?; 8 PM Second City (improve/comedy)	Lunch out: $7 Supper makings for church ($2/person?) or eat out ($15?) Snack or bev. at Second City $5 Activity Admission: $15 Options: Field Mus/Art Mus Lincoln Park Zoo/Frisbee etc Second City: $16—ordered 6/7
Tuesday August 2	8 AM: Eat breakfast “in”, pack up, clean up 9 AM: Leave Chicago By 5 PM: Arrive at church in Menomonie	Breakfast items (leftovers) Lunch on the road: $5

Final Reminders

One more day until we depart! Here are a few final reminders as we make our final preparations:

• If you have not yet e-mailed Kristen your cell phone number(s), please do so ASAP so they can be included on our phone tree.  The phone tree will bee- mailed Thursday afternoon and hard copies will be available Friday morning.
• In addition to clothes, toiletries and a pillow, sleeping bag and air mattress (if desired), please remember to bring the following:
• Backpack or bag to carry important items in when we are sightseeing
• A water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Your own towel/wash cloth
• Sack lunch for the ride down
• Change for the tolls (if everyone brings some, we should be covered)
• Good walking shoes
• Chargers for electronic devices (Kristen has 2 power strips)
• Swimsuit if you want to swim at the beach
• Recipes (when needed) for meals your team will be preparing

Our final schedule was e-mailed yesterday. Time permitting, it will be posted on the blog later today. Hard copies will be handed out Friday morning. See you all tomorrow!

Group B Menus

Group B will buy, make, serve, and clean-up:

Breakfast Saturday:

Scrambled Eggs

Toast & homemade jam (raspberry from Nita; strawberry from Kristen/Emily)

Fruit salad

OJ, Milk/Silk, Coffee

Sunday Supper:

Salads: Potato, Chicken & Pasta, Spinach/Strawberry

Garlic Bread

Black Bean Brownies

Lemonade--Crystal Light

Watermelon

Information about Fun Activities

Since we talked a little about some of the possible fun activities, I have added some links regarding that. They are at the bottom left on the links page.  One is regarding the Taste of Lincoln Avenue.  It looks like in addition to food vendors, there are crafts and several venues with live music.  It sounds like a small donation is requested, but the entire event is a fund-raiser to help the local neighborhood fund schools and other area organizations.

The other link is for Broadway Shows playing in Chicago.  There are several shows with Saturday and Sunday early afternoon matinees (West Side Story, Beauty & The Beast and Peter Pan) that would probably work if there is interest in that.

Team A's Menu

Team A (Amy, Heather, Sean, Max and Ben) will prepare:


Sack lunch for Sunday, July 31:
Sub sandwiches (turkey, lettuce, tomato (mayo packets etc)
Orange or banana
Frozen Gogurt
Water

Sack lunch for Monday August 1:
Peanut butter & jelly sandwich
Hard boiled egg
Carrots/celery
Fruit drink


Sack lunch for Tuesday, August 2:
Veggie wrap with dressing
Grapes
Pudding cup
Water

Team C's Menu

At our last meeting each team met to decide on meals.  Team C (Kristen, Todd, Jena and Ben) will prepare:

Dinner on Saturday, July 30
Spaghetti bake
Garlic bread
Raw veggies with dip
Fruit for dessert
Milk
Juice

Breakfast on Monday, August 1
Cheerios with milk
Bananas, apples
Bagels with cream cheese, butter, peanut butter
Coffee
Juice
Milk

Final Planning Meeting Sunday July 24 after worship

July 24 at 10 AM Worship our group will be commissioned for our mission trip! Please be there if you are able!

After worship, we will have a meeting to answer or ask all final questions, exchange cell phone numbers, get photocopies of the drivers' licenses (for Northtown Ford), and anything else.

I just figured out how to post, so that we could post our menus now.

I'm curious if anyone will get an email saying that this has been posted. Please comment if you read this. I'll be good practice!

Nita

Our Next Planning Meeting: July 7th at 4:00 PM

Our next planning meeting will be Thursday, July 7th at 4:00 PM in the fellowship hall of church. Each team should be ready to share plans for their menus. We hope teams have enough time between now and the 7th to start working on ideas for meals. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please let Kristen or Nita know.

Our First Planning Meeting

On June 1st, we met at church to start planning for our trip. We reviewed the schedule of meals we need to prepare and then divided ourselves into 3 teams and assigned meals for each of the teams. We also discussed some of the fun activities we'd like to do and put those into our schedule. Now that our teams are assigned, each team needs to start planning their meals. Some guidelines in terms of our budget and the number of people we who will eat are below:

Jul30/Sat/ Hot Bfst**
TEAM B ($50) for 15-25 people Prep at 7:30 AM, Eat at 9 AM

Jul30/Sat/Supper
TEAM C ($150) for 35-38+ 14 = 52 people Prep at 6:00 PM Eat at 7:30 PM

Jul31/Sun/Sack Lunch
TEAM A ($50) for 30 people to be made during supper prep on Sat Jul30

Jul31/Sun/Supper
TEAM B ($150) for 35-38+ 14= 52 people Prep at 6:00 PM eat at 7:30 PM

Aug1/Mon/Sack Lunch
TEAM A ($50) for 30 to be made during supper prep on Sunday

Aug1/Mon/Bfst Buffet Style
TEAM C ($100) for 35-38+ 14 = 52 people Prep at 6:00 AM eat at 7:30 AM

Aug2/Tues/Sack Lunch
TEAM A ($50) for 30 people to be made sometime Monday

** Sat breakfast is at the church we stay in (different group served). We will eat separately from this group.

Please keep in mined that all the equipment is there. We need to bring all the food with us; there is not much storage so we need to shop as we go through the weekend. We may be able to bring some non perishables with us, but will plan to buy much of the food at nearby grocery stores. Each team will ultimately need to have a menu planned that is healthy, low sodium, low in simple sugars, includes veggies/fruits.

We will be setting another meeting time very soon and hope that each team can start planning their meals and share their menus at our next meeting.