Chicago Trip: Tuesday Evening & Wednesday Morning

Tuesday Evening

After a short break on Tuesday afternoon, our students headed to two different soup kitchens (Cornerstone & Good News) to serve meals, clean dishes, and play with kids. Cornerstone is an organization started and adminstered by Jesus People USA. They are one of only three organizations in the city of Chicago that provide housing for whole families instead of separate housing for men and women. Good News is the one of the first soup kitchens started in Chicago. After leaving the soup kitchens, our team reunited for a dinner feast-- Vietmenese style-- where we had delicious noodle soup. Our students tried new things and had a fantastic time. After dinner, we took a prayer tour of Chicago. One of the most impactful parts of the tour was visiting the area formerly known as Cabrini Green, formerly one of the most impoverished areas of the United States housing 17,000 people in government housing. As of today, only a small section is left due to gentrification. Currently, new condo and housing developments are in the works creating $1,000,000 homes in this former neighborhood. Many of the ministry sites we are working with this week are dealing with the fall out of having 17,000 impoverished people displaced and looking for affordable housing.

Wednesday Morning

Our group returned to Casa Central today. We spent time on Tuesday planning some organized games and craft activities for the kids-- everything from decorating Easter eggs to Steal the Bacon (a competive relay game). It was great to have our teens spend time with the same kids they ministered to yesterday and see the relationships that were formed. The kids here at Casa bond instantly to our teens.

Tuesday, April 3

Today, we went to Casa Central, the largest Hispanic social agency in Chicago. Casa Central provides many, many services to the Hispanic community here. Our group worked exclusively with children today- 13 of our students worked with early elementary kids and 12 of our students worked with upper elementary and middle school kids. Here are some of pictures of our morning and afternoon:

Chicago-- Monday, April 2

We made it to Chicago! The students had a great time on the plane ride (for many it was their first). After arriving at our destination and a quick bite to eat, we settled into our old brick house to sleep. Pictures tomorrow.

Update-- March 27

Mission Trip Money
If you have not turned in your last mission trip payments, please do so ASAP. Also, we have secured almost all of our funding for the trip. At last count, we were only down by $943.

Journey & Passage-- Sunday, April 1
Journey (our Sr. High Sunday morning worship & bible study program) and Passage (our Jr. High Sunday morning worship & bible study program) will meet together in room 11 at 9:45am. We will continue our short survey of the bible continuing with the books of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy (the lesson we could not get to last week after setting up tables). Please join us for a time of learning through reading scripture, discussion, and sharing about our weeks.

Mentor Groups
The next mentor group sessions will be the week after the mission trip.

Update-- March 20

Invisible Children
Thank-you for your participation in the Invisible Children presentations. So many from the congregation were moved and wanted me to express their appreciation to you.

Mission Trip Money
The next payment of $100 is this due Sunday, March 25. Many of you still owe us the last $100 payment. Please see Shawn Simas on Sunday morning to find out what you still owe.

Journey & Passage-- Sunday, March 25
Journey (our Sr. High Sunday morning worship & bible study program) and Passage (our Jr. High Sunday morning worship & bible study program) will meet together in room 11 at 9:45am. First, we will set up tables for the Lao luncheon. Then we will continue our short survey of the bible continuing with the books of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Please join us for a time of learning through reading scripture, discussion, and sharing about our weeks.

Chicago Training Session #6-- Sunday, March 25 @ 11:00am
The final mandatory meeting for students going to Chicago will be in Majesty Theatre this Sunday from 11:00am till 11:45am. We will be discussing activity planning assignments for Chicago that have come to our attention this past week. Also, your student will be receiving a detailed list of things to pack and to be done for the mission trip. I will also send this out by email early next week as well.

Mentor Groups
Mentor groups should be meeting this weekend. Your students' mentor should be in communication with you sometime this week.

Mission Trip Needs
We need help transporting our team to and from San Jose on Monday, April 2 (meet at UPC at 8:30am and arrive in San Jose by 11:30am) and Sunday, April 8 (pick up at San Jose airport at 11:30am). Please let Justin know ASAP if you are able to transport on one of those days. We need 4-5 vehicles and drivers for Monday 2nd and for Sunday 8th.

Weekly Update-- March 13

Invisible Children Worship Service-- Sunday, March 18
Many of our students are participating in the worship services this Sunday. They will be presenting the Invisible Children film and helping our congregation understand the impact that it has had on our group. Participating students should arrive no later than 8:10am. They will be participating in both the traditional and contemporary services.

Mission Trip Money
The next payment of $100 is due Sunday, March 25.

Journey & Passage-- Sunday, March 18
We will be hanging out together in room 11 this Sunday relaxing and having fun between the two presentations of the Invisible Children film in both worship services.

Chicago Training Session #6-- Sunday, March 25 @ 11:00am
The next mandatory meeting for students going to Chicago will be in Majesty Theatre two Sundays from now.

Weekly Update-- March 5

Invisible Children Meeting-- Wednesday, March 7 (6:00p-8:00p)
The 10 students who have speaking roles for the Invisible Children service will be meeting with Jessica to work on their parts. Dinner will be served as well. Please bring the research you were assigned and $5 for food.

Family Event-- Fresno Zoo
The whole family is invited to come to a personalized tour of the zoo hosted by our own Pamela Caldwell. We will be going on Saturday, March 10 from 10:00a to 1:00p. Tickets are $7 and you will need $7 for food as well. We are partnering with children's ministry on this and some of our high school students will be paired with children for the event for our Kid Mentors program. Drop off and pick up are at the zoo.

Mission Trip Money
Some of you have not turned in the latest payment of $100. Please put this in my box in the church office ASAP.

Journey & Passage-- Sunday, March 9
Journey (our Sr. High Sunday morning worship & bible study program) and Passage (our Jr. High Sunday morning worship & bible study program) will meet together in room 11 at 9:45am. We will be working on the Invisible Children presentation.

Chicago Training Session #6-- Sunday, March 9 @ 11:00am
This mandatory meeting for students going to Chicago will be 1 hour. Meet in Majesty Theatre.

Mentor Groups
Please let Justin know if you are not receiving regular communication from your mentor so that we can be sure that your mentor has your right information.