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

2019 Trips -

• June 3-6, 2019 - Multi-generational Trip

2019 Serve Trips -

• Columbus Serve Trip: June 22-27, 2019 - TRIP IS FULL

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

In 2017 and 2018, Church of the Resurrection dispatched early response teams to hurricane-ravaged parts of Texas including Houston and Corpus Christi.  As the focus shifts to long-term recovery, we continue to send our prayers, resources and serve teams to address the continued needs of our brothers and sisters in Texas.

The most important skills needed from team members are a desire to serve God while working side-by-side with community members; to be a team player; and to be flexible for whatever comes our way. General construction skills are appreciated, but not required.  Anyone with skills in carpentry, sheet-rock, painting, roofing, electrical, concrete, and cleanup is highly encouraged to apply.

2019 Trips

• Corpus Christi - April 27 - May 3

More about the Rio Texas Conference:

The Rio Texas Conference encompasses the southern regions of Texas.  Extending from Austin in the north, to the Rio Grande Valley in the south and from San Angelo in the west to the Gulf Coast.

The Disaster Response effort of the Rio Texas Conference is primarily focused on natural disasters such as floods, fires, tornadoes and hurricanes. Other disasters, often called “man- made” may result from terrorism and domestic disturbances or from accidents such as chemical spills.

In the long term, UMVIM recovery teams help with home repairs or, in some cases, rebuilding homes that have been completely destroyed during the disaster.  United Methodist Volunteer in Mission (UMVIM) teams can provide the volunteer labor so the cost of repairs is much lower. These volunteers are requested to have a trained leader and require criminal background checks and child safety training.  UMVIM teams are also open to youth.   There are nearly always opportunities to work in long term recovery somewhere in the Conference.

Trip Status: FULL

Destination:    Columbus, Ohio

Minimum Participants:    6

Maximum Participants:  12

Trip Leader: Bob & Valerie Bonebrake

Contact/Ministry Connector:  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 program costs.
• 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 190622 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

05/22/19:   Balance due

TBD:  Team Preparation/Commissioning

Accommodations, Food and Transportation

• Team members may choose to fly or drive themselves to Columbus. Team members 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.
• 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.
• 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 car.