2008 Mission Trip Partnership
Supporting National and International Mission Work Projects
by Member Churches in the Presbytery of Genesee Valley
Rationale
Presbytery, congregations, and individual members are seeking first hand learning experiences hands-on opportunities for mission involvement. Smaller congregations find it difficult to organize and implement mission trips on their own. The popularity of Presbytery-sponsored mission trips to New Orleans is evidence of the interest and need.
Presbytery does not have sufficient staff or volunteers to be able to plan and implement several mission trips each year. Larger congregations may be willing to include others from the Presbytery and groups of smaller congregations may be able to work together.
Through this program, if a congregation has an idea for a mission project trip, would like help in implementing that idea, it can make application to the presbytery for support in that endeavor provided the opportunity is open to Presbytery-wide participation.
Proposal
The Mission and Advocacy Committee will co-sponsor and support up to three congregational mission project trips in 2008.
Projects must be
- associated with a mission/ministry of the PCUSA beyond the local congregation.
- self-supporting (either funded fully by congregations or individuals)
- approved by a local church session.
- scheduled at a time that does not conflict with other Presbytery-sponsored mission trips
- scheduled at least four months in advance in most cases
- open to Presbytery-wide participation
Congregations agree to provide leadership, project location, and to make organizational and logistical arrangements. It is an accepted practice that the leader’s expenses are either paid for by the sponsoring church or included in the group trip fees.
If requested, Presbytery will provide:
- Consultation and resources for program development
- Promotional services; assistance in development of promotional materials and presbytery-wide distribution
- Collection of registrations
- Accounting support (receives funds; pays expenses from funds)
- Advance funding (“seed money”) may be available.
- Access to Presbytery website-based blog and photo gallery
Applications
Applications will be accepted through August 1, 2008.