New York City

Resurrection teams will partner with Methodist-affiliated host sites to provide potential serve opportunities working at a food pantry, a homeless shelter, a neighborhood meals program, or in community gardens. Teams also will have the opportunity to visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the Museum of Jewish Heritage, and the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island national park sites to learn about history, immigration, and other cultures.

Most New York City trips will be open to families; children who have completed the fifth grade and older youth will be able to accompany their parents for this exceptional opportunity to serve in one of the most diverse, multicultural cities in the United States.

2018 Serve Trips

New York City Serve Trip: June 18-23, 2018; TRIP IS FULL

The Big Garden - Omaha

Resurrection's host in Omaha is The Big Garden, a Volunteers in Mission site accredited by the United Methodist Church. This family-friendly serve opportunity is a mix of get-your-hands-muddy work in community gardens, education about systemic hunger and poverty, theological reflection and small-group learning. The Big Garden challenges all participants to "see the face of God in the city" as they serve.

The Big Garden also provides grants and technical assistance to schools, faith communities, non-profits, and other organizations who are interested in starting community gardens. These gardens receive free seeds and seedlings, access to The Big Garden's volunteer network, and help with educational programming for the first three years. According to its website, the Big Garden has helped to start more than 150 community gardens in Nebraska, Kansas, and southwest Iowa.

Depending on the trip, Resurrection team members may learn about:

• Food security and food justice
• Systemic issues of hunger and poverty
• Basic gardening skills
• Seed saving
• Shopping in a food pantry
• How to shop with food stamps (SNAP)
• Race and poverty
• Homelessness and working in a shelter
• Advocacy
• Food preservation
• Composting

2018 Serve Trips

Omaha Serve Trip: July 19-22, 2018; TRIP IS FULL

Denver Urban Matters

In Denver, Resurrection partners with Denver Urban Ministries, a Methodist human services agency founded in 1981. In its first years, DenUM ran a food pantry and clothing bank to serve Denver's poorest residents. Later, it developed vocational support services in its Jobs Services program. Most recently, DenUM developed partnerships with other Denver service agencies and began coordinating mission trips and immersion experiences for youth and adults.

In DenUM's Urban Plunge Program, team members may be preparing or serving meals; sorting and packing donations; building, repairing or painting low-income housing; or working with children or the elderly. Potential serve locations include the Rocky Mountain MS Center, Brothers Redevelopment Inc., the Food Bank of the Rockies or the Denver Rescue Mission.

Urban Plunge includes a very strong educational session with a poverty simulation, a food stamp game, and a formerly homeless guest speaker to create a deeper understanding of the problems faced by the homeless.

2018 Serve Trips

Denver August Serve Trip: August 3-7

Connect to the Kingdom - Dallas

Connect to the Kingdom (C2K), located at the Tyler Street Methodist Church in Dallas, is an urban retreat and mission center committed to providing an accountable Wesleyan mission experience for participants. Potential service opportunities include: working with children at the Wesley-Rankin School; sorting and packing donations at the Crossroads food and clothing ministry; serving at the City Square health clinic; working in community gardens; or the possibility of working with a neighborhood legal advocacy clinic. Learn more about some of C2K's partnerships below:

Legacy

Legacy offers two serve opportunities: one is People Helping People, where team members help senior homeowners with minor exterior home repairs and cleanup; the other is service at Legacy Founders Cottage, a counseling and special care facility for those with HIV/AIDS.

Wesley-Rankin School

The Wesley-Rankin B3X camp is a science, math, music and arts enrichment camp for children in grades 1-8; volunteers may work with small or large groups on specific activities.

2000 Roses Foundation

2000 Roses works with women leaving incarceration, but part of its mission is to influence and challenge state and county policies that negatively affect those in the criminal justice system.

Crossroads

The Crossroads food and clothing ministry nurtures the community's low-income families by making nutritious food, education, clothing and other resources available.

Austin Street Center

This center provides emergency shelter for the homeless in Dallas, and provides access to therapeutic and case management servides.

Trinity River Mission

A community learning center that promotes literacy and teaches academic and life skills to youth in West Dallas.

Paws for Reflection Ranch

Connecting people and animals in a healing and therapeutic environment, the Ranch offers horseback riding as well as other opportunities to interact with animals.

CitySquare

CitySquare provides a range of services to low-income individuals in Dallas, including health and wellness care, housing repair, vocational training, a food pantry, legal advocacy, and the opportunity to engage in civic and community political organization.

Girls Inc.

Girls Inc. addresses the unique needs of girls in underserved communities through afterschool and summer programs  in literacy, math and science, health and fitness, pregnancy prevention, leadership and life skills, and advocacy.

Mosaic Family Services

Since its founding in 1993, Mosaic has worked with refugees and immigrants, meeting the unique needs of Dallas' multicultural community. It also serves those who have fled from homes where they suffered human rights abuses, helps victims of domestic violence, and provides comprehensive services for victims of human trafficking.

North Dallas Food Bank

The NTFB provides more than 170,000 meals a day to people in a 13-county service area in North Texas.

2018 SERVE TRIPS

• Dallas Spring Serve Trip: March 10-14, 2018
• Dallas College Student Serve Trip: May 20-24, 2018

Church and Community Development for All People - Columbus

In 1999, a small Methodist church on the south side of Columbus, Ohio, decided to make radical hospitality, community renewal and personal transformation the heart of their mission. The Church for All People committed to reality "the dream of a church 'for all people' that would be intentionally cross-class, multi-racial and diverse, with a new model of service and worship that was 'with' the poor, not just 'for' the poor."

First, they opened the Free Store, accepting donations and distributing clothing and household goods to those in need. Since then, they have:

• developed 40 rent-to-own homes with the help of a local builder
• created hot lunch and afterschool programs for local children
• worked with the county land bank to identify properties that could be renovated or demolished, then partnered with a local children's hospital to redevelop vacant or abandoned housing
• created community gardens
• helping civic organizations to foster new business investment and build a new library

Resurrection teams traveling to Columbus will usually concentrate on urban gardening and food security, but potential service opportunities include working at the Freedom School, the Fresh Market or Free Store, painting, landscaping or home repairs. Learn more about some of the Columbus programs below:

The Free Store

More than 40,000 families have become members of the Free Store since 1999. For every dollar donated to the Free Store, $21 is returned to the community.

First Birthdays

To support families and babies living on the south side, our host celebrates quarterly first birthday parties in collaboration with Nationwide Children's Hospital. Babies, their siblings and families have fun, receive diapers, and have an opportunity to learn about more community resources that support local families.

Affordable Housing Initiatives

Through their South Side Homeownership, Healthy Homes, and South Side Renaissance programs, the church helps low- and middle-income residents qualify for home ownership, repair and renovate existing housing stock, demolish and clean up dangerous and vacant property, and creates opportunities for affordable new home construction.

Harmony on the Southside

The innovative Harmony on the Southside program presents music and musicians that cross ethnic and cultural boundaries in a demonstration of multicultural harmony. The group mentors aspiring musicians in the community, helping children and adults discover the joy of experiencing and creating art. They also provide music lessons, and those lessons in turn provide income to musicians and artists. The group's appearances highlight and draw attention to positive community events such as the opening of new businesses, health screenings, immunization drives, and voter registration events.

Bikes for All People

Its mission is to provide reliable, affordable access to bicycles, both as a means of transportation and as a healthy recreational activity. They accept used bicycles in good condition, then refurbish and sell them at affordable prices to south side residents; routine maintenance and repairs are offered, and there are opportunity for weekly group bike rides and other fun cycling events.

Freedom School

Every summer, our host sponsors the Freedom School, a national literacy education program for grades K-12, offered to youth on the south side and around Columbus. Located at Lincoln Park Elementary School, staff members and volunteers work with small groups of students, focusing on literacy skills, extended learning opportunities, academic enrichment, leadership skills, character development, managing homework, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) enrichment, and the arts. The program is free, and each participating child receives healthy meals and snacks during the school day.

South Side Neighborhood Leadership Academy

To nurture the community and teach the skills necessary for sustained community development and engagement, the South Side Neighborhood Leadership Academy equips participants with the relationships, knowledge, skills, and abilities to help the South Side continue to thrive. The program looks for residents who want to build a safe, opportunity-rich South Side that maximizes diversity, builds relationships, secures and advances current residents, all while maintaining the unique fabric of the community. The program objective is to have graduating participants launch an ongoing community-based project that will propel transformative change in their neighborhood. 

HEAL (Healthy Living and Eating)

To foster healthy living, our host created the HEAL initiative; among the resources available to residents are:

• The Fresh Market, where fresh fruits and vegetables are available
• Community gardens
• Health screenings, wellness care and preventive care in partnership with a local hospital, offered on a sliding-fee basis
• Peer health coaches
• Couch Potato Workouts - weekly chair workouts for people of any fitness level
• Cooking classes and demonstrations
• Nutrition and health education
• Community meals
• Spiritual health coaching and mentoring
• Support groups

2018 Serve Trips

Columbus Serve Trip (RezWest): July 21-25, 2018

Trip Status:     FULL

Destination:    New York City

Minimum Participants:    6

Maximum Participants:  12

Contact/Ministry Connectors:  Chris Holliday

Purpose

Potential serve opportunities include working at a food pantry, a homeless shelter, a neighborhood feeding program, or in community gardens. Teams also will have the opportunity to visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the Museum of Jewish Heritage, and the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to learn about history, immigration, and other cultures. This multigenerational trip is open to adults, families and children who will have completed the fifth grade by the trip departure date.

Cost

Estimated trip cost (not including airfare) = $1200

• INCLUDED: The estimated trip cost includes hotel accommodations near Times Square, subway transportation, and museum entrance fees.
• NOT INCLUDED: Transportation to and from New York City, or between airport and hotel; team members are responsible for arranging and paying for their own air or ground travel to and from New York City, as well as arranging travel between the airport and hotel. No meals are included; team members should budget at least $30 per person per day for food.
• A nonrefundable deposit of $300 is due when you submit your application.

All funds received are considered a charitable contribution. As such, once they are received by The Church of the Resurrection, there are NO REFUNDS. If, for some reason, the trip is cancelled or you can no longer go, Resurrection will credit the funds toward a future serve trip (for you or for an immediate family member) within 12 months of the original trip; OR use the funds for ministry work with our Methodist partners in New York City.

If you have questions about the deductibility of trip-related expenses, please contact your tax professional.

Important Dates

03/30/18:  Application Due Date

TBA:  Team Preparation Please note: Team members must attend ALL preparation sessions. 

To Apply:

• After you receive your acceptance email from Global Impact Ministries, your trip deposit of $300 is due immediately to reserve your spot. Online payments are available through your Managed Missions profile, or you can send a check, payable to Church of the Resurrection and include the trip code NYC 180618 in the memo line.  Mail to: Church of the Resurrection, Attn: Finance/GIM, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS 66224. 
• Complete the Safe Gatherings online training (for adults and youth age 16 and older).
• Families, please note: Applications must be completed for each team member, regardless of age. Parents are encouraged to help children complete their own applications; this is a great opportunity to discuss service in faith!

Accommodations, Food and Transportation

• Teams will stay in a hotel (Comfort Inn or comparable) near Times Square; the trip cost is based on double occupancy and two team members will be assigned to each room. Families traveling together may request to have four family members assigned to the same room. If the team number/gender requires additional single rooms, the trip cost may be adjusted.
• Participants should be prepared to pay for meals during the trip.
• Subway/city bus transportation will be provided.

Additional Details

• Open to adults and children who have completed the fifth grade by the trip departure date, accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• To learn more about using the subway in New York, visit the MTA website for maps, safety tips and how to use a MetroCard.
• If you have more questions about this trip, please contact Chris Holliday.

Trip Status:     FULL

Destination:    Omaha, Nebraska

Minimum Participants:    6

Maximum Participants:  12

Trip Leader: Tara Bishop

Contact/Ministry Connector:  Lindsey Arnold Seevers; Karie Kneller

Purpose

Teams will partner with The Big Garden in Omaha, where they will work in outdoor community gardens and have the opportunity to serve at local missions. Educational opportunities about poverty, racism, food security and organic gardening are included. This multigenerational trip is open to anyone age 5 and older; those under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Cost

Total estimated cost = $189

• The $189 estimated trip cost includes lodging and food in Omaha. Team members will be traveling to the site in their own cars.  Participants should be prepared to pay for occasional meals during travel.
• A non-refundable trip deposit of $100 is due when you submit your application.

All funds received are considered a charitable contribution. As such, once they are received by The Church of the Resurrection, there are NO REFUNDS. If, for some reason, the trip is cancelled or you can no longer go, Resurrection will credit the funds toward a future serve trip (for you or for an immediate family member) within 12 months of the original trip; OR use the funds for ministry work with our Methodist partners in Omaha.

If you have questions about the deductibility of trip-related expenses, please contact your tax professional.

To Apply:

• After you receive your acceptance email from Global Impact Ministries, your trip deposit of $100 is due immediately to reserve your spot. Online payments are available through your Managed Missions profile, or you can send a check, payable to Church of the Resurrection and include the trip code OMH 180719 in the memo line.  Mail to: Church of the Resurrection, Attn: Finance/GIM, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS 66224. 
• Complete the Safe Gatherings online training (for adults and youth age 16 and older).
• Families, please note: Applications must be completed for each team member, regardless of age. Parents are encouraged to help children complete their own applications; this is a great opportunity to discuss service in faith!

Important Dates

05/20/18:   1st payment due

06/19/18:   Balance due

TBD:  Team Preparation/Commissioning

Accommodations, Food and Transportation

• Lodging is provided by a partner church and is covered in the cost; team members will need to provide their own sleeping bags and air mattresses. Team members have the option of staying at a nearby hotel at their own expense, but will be responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel between the hotel and the serve site.

• Participants should be prepared to pay for occasional meals during the trip, if necessary.

• Team members will be traveling to the site in their own cars, and are encouraged to carpool if possible. 

Additional Details

• Open to adults and children age 5 and older if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• Travel is three hours one-way.

Trip Status:  FULL

Destination:    Columbus, Ohio

Minimum Participants:    6

Maximum Participants:  12

Trip Leader: John Yost

Contact/Ministry Connector:  Lindsey Arnold Seevers; Karie Kneller

Purpose

The team will partner with the United Methodist Church for All People; the planned focus of the trip is on urban gardening and food security, but potential service opportunities include working at the All People Freedom School, the Fresh Market or Free Store, painting, landscaping, or home repairs. This trip is open to adults and youth 14-17 if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. 

Cost

Total estimated cost = $399

• The $399 trip cost includes accommodations at or near the host site, food, and ground transportation by team van.
• A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is due when you submit your application.

All funds received are considered a charitable contribution. As such, once they are received by The Church of the Resurrection, there are NO REFUNDS. If, for some reason, the trip is cancelled or you can no longer go, Resurrection will credit the funds toward a future serve trip (for you or for an immediate family member) within 12 months of the original trip; OR use the funds for ministry work with our Methodist partners in Columbus.

If you have questions about the deductibility of trip-related expenses, please contact your tax professional.

To Apply:

• After you receive your acceptance email from Global Impact Ministries, your trip deposit of $100 is due immediately to reserve your spot. Online payments are available through your Managed Missions profile, or you can send a check, payable to Church of the Resurrection and include the trip code COL 180721 in the memo line.  Mail to: Church of the Resurrection, Attn: Finance/GIM, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS 66224. 
• Complete the Safe Gatherings online training (for adults and youth age 16 and older).
• Families, please note: Applications must be completed for each team member, regardless of age. Parents are encouraged to help children complete their own applications; this is a great opportunity to discuss service in faith!

Important Dates

07/06/18:   Balance due

TBD:  Team Preparation/Commissioning

Accommodations, Food and Transportation

• The team will travel to Columbus by van. Team members may choose to fly or drive themselves to Columbus. Team members who travel on their own are responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel, as well as arranging travel between the airport and serve site if traveling by air. Resurrection will not discount the trip cost for team members who arrange their own, separate travel.
• The team will be staying at either the host site, in dorm-style rooms, or at a nearby church. Team members will need to bring their own bedding and may need to bring sleeping bags and air mattresses.
• Team members who prefer to stay at a nearby hotel may do so; if you choose this option, you are responsible for the cost of the hotel as well as arranging and paying for your travel between the hotel and the serve site. Resurrection will not discount the trip cost for team members who arrange their own, separate lodging.
• Most meals are included, but you should be prepared to pay for occasional meals during travel.

Additional Details

• Open to adults and youth age 14 or older if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• Travel is 11 hours one-way by van.

Trip Status:     OPEN

Destination:    Denver, Colorado

Minimum Participants:    6

Maximum Participants:  12

Trip Leader: Doug Harris

Contact/Ministry Connector:  Lindsey Arnold Seevers; Karie Kneller

Purpose - Urban Plunge

Teams will partner with the Saint Francis Center to serve in the Urban Plunge program. Potential serve opportunities include work at the Rocky Mountain MS Center; painting with Brothers Redevelopment; working at the Food Bank of the Rockies; or working at the Denver Rescue Mission. You may be preparing or serving meals; sorting and packing locations; building, repairing or painting low-income housing; or working with children or the elderly. The trip will include an education session in which you will learn more about poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity.

Cost

Total estimated cost = $329

• $329 trip fee includes accommodations at a church near the serve site; food; and ground transportation by team bus or van. Resurrection will not discount the trip cost for team members who arrange their own, separate travel.
• A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is due when you submit your application.

All funds received are considered a charitable contribution.  As such, once they are received by The Church of the Resurrection, there are NO REFUNDS.  If, for some reason, the trip is cancelled or you can no longer go, Resurrection will credit the funds toward a future serve trip (for you or for an immediate family member) within 12 months of the original trip; OR use the funds for ministry work with our Methodist partners in Denver.

If you have questions about the deductibility of trip-related expenses, please contact your tax professional.

To Apply:

• Fill out the 2018 US Serve Trip Application.
• After you receive your acceptance email from Global Impact Ministries, your trip deposit of $100 is due immediately to reserve your spot. Online payments are available through your Managed Missions profile, or you can send a check, payable to Church of the Resurrection and include the trip code DEN 180803 in the memo line.  Mail to: Church of the Resurrection, Attn: Finance/GIM, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS 66224. 
• Complete the Safe Gatherings online training (for adults and youth age 16 and older).
• Families, please note: Applications must be completed for each team member, regardless of age. Parents are encouraged to help children complete their own applications; this is a great opportunity to discuss service in faith!

Important Dates

06/19/18:   Application deadline and $100 deposit due

07/19/18:   Balance due

TBD:  Team Preparation/Commissioning

Accommodations, Food and Transportation

• The team will travel to Denver by team van; team members have the option to travel to the site in their own cars or by air. Team members who want to fly to Denver are responsible for arranging and paying for their own flights, as well as their travel arrangements between the airport and the serve site.  Resurrection will not discount the trip cost for team members who arrange their own, separate travel.
• Lodging will be provided either by an urban church near Denver Urban Matters, or by a suburban church; there will most likely be a large communal sleeping area. Team members must provide their own air mattresses and sleeping bags. A kitchen will be available for the team to use to prepare their own meals.
• Participants should be prepared to pay for occasional meals during the trip, if necessary.

Additional Details

• The Urban Education Manager at Denver Urban Matters will schedule the specific serve activities according to their needs, and send us a final itinerary shortly before our trip departure date.
• This trip is open to adults and youth age 10 and older if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.