WHERE WILL WE GO AND WHAT WILL WE DO THERE?
Junior and Senior High youth throughout Louisiana are invited to participate in a VIM mission team to a unique ministry of the United Methodist Church located in our own Conference.  Sager-Brown rose from the ashes of Hurricane Andrew into a thriving enabling ministry in the Baldwin area.  Today, that ministry has a nation-wide and international impact through the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s (UMCOR) Depot, now located on its grounds.  Our youth will enjoy varied mission work experiences both in general repair of homes of disadvantaged families in the area and organization and packing of relief supplies in the Depot.

WHERE ARE WE STAYING?  WHAT ABOUT MEALS?
The mission team will stay in Zook Hall, an air-conditioned dormitory type residence with bunk beds, sleeping 5-10 persons per room.  You will need to bring bed rolls or sleeping bags, pillow, bath towels, personal toilet articles (soap, shampoo, etc.), snacks, money for drink machines.  Plan to arrive Sunday, June 20 at 7:00 PM and depart on Friday, June 25 at 3:00 PM.  Meals will be prepared for the team in the Sager-Brown cafeteria.  The meals will be excellent and plentiful.  Expect a wonderful South Louisiana flavor!

HOW WILL I GET THERE?
As this mission destination is located in Louisiana, each participant is asked to arrange his or her own transportation to Sager-Brown.  The Center and Depot is in Baldwin, LA., one hour south of Lafayette on Highway 90.  Signs in the Baldwin area will direct you to the Depot. 

WHAT IS THE COST AND DEPOSIT? 
WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE?
Fees for this mission opportunity are $190 per person.  A deposit of $50 is due with registration.  The balance is due on May 15 and additional registrations will not be accepted after that date. Fees include housing, meals, registration, materials fees and a secondary accident insurance.  Each youth is required to have his or her own primary accident policy. 

WHERE WILL WE GO AND WHAT WILL WE DO THERE?
HPI’s LEARNING AND LIVESTOCK CENTER is located near Perryville, Arkansas, about forty miles west of Little Rock, Arkansas.  A work camp at HPI provides a meaningful experience in a unique peaceful and rural atmosphere dedicated to the mission of alleviating  hunger in our world.  The experience will demonstrate life in developing regions and provides an opportunity to get a feel for how other cultures make their livelihood with very little of the world’s resources.  Learning activities are mixed with hands-on experience in small scale livestock management and repair and maintenance of the facility and natural gardening skills.  The work team will participate in an overnight global-village experience and ropes course as part of their activities.

WHERE ARE WE STAYING?  WHAT ABOUT MEALS?
The team will be lodged at the Heifer Hilton, a camp-type, open-air dorm with hot showers and comfortable bunks with mattresses.  You will need sleeping bags or bed roll, pillow, towels and washcloths, and personal toilet articles.  Participants will share the cooking duties of breakfast and evening meals.  Lunch will be served in the HPI cafeteria affording an opportunity to meet foreign visitors who are often at the ranch regarding their projects around the world.   There is a wonderful SERRV gift shop on the grounds. 

HOW WILL I GET THERE?
Once our registration is established vans and busses will be arranged to leave from central locations in our Conference.  The participant should anticipate driving to a major city to catch a ride.

WHAT IS THE COST AND DEPOSIT? 
WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE?
The cost for this mission  is $300.00. This  includes lodging, meals, transportation and secondary accident insurance.  Each participant will need to provide proof of primary medical insurance.  A deposit of $100.00 is due with registration.  Registrations cannot be taken after June 1.  The balance is due July 1, 1999.   Senior High’s only.

WHERE WILL WE GO AND WHAT WILL WE DO THERE?
OPERATION OPEN HANDS was begun by Volunteer In Mission teams in Nuevo Progresso and Rio Bravo, Mexico to offer better housing to immigrants moving to the US/Mexican border.  This youth VIM team will work in Rio Bravo constructing concrete block huts as part of this mission’s outreach .  Each day Louisiana youth will join this significant ministry while meeting and becoming friends with the wonderful people of Rio Bravo, the homeowners and their neighbors.  Ample time will be given for shopping in the local market and an afternoon at the beach is planned for rest, relaxation and fun.  Each youth will need a valid driver’s licence, certified birth certificate or passport to facilitate border crossing.

WHERE ARE WE STAYING?  WHAT ABOUT MEALS?
Lodging for the team will be in one of several Methodist managed residential facilities dedicated to the work of Operation Hands Together.  Participants will need to bring their own bed roll or sleeping bag, pillow, towels and personal toilet articles.  Cooking duties will be shared by the team at the facility. 

HOW WILL I GET THERE?
Group transportation will be arranged from the Louisiana Conference to Rio Bravo.  Plan to join other participants in Alexandria, LA.  Details will be supplied after registration.

WHAT IS THE COST AND DEPOSIT? 
WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE?
$330 will cover the cost of transportation, lodging, meals, insurance and construction materials fee.  A deposit of $100.00 is due with registration.  Registrations cannot be taken after July 15. The balance is also due on July 15.  Senior Highs only.
Youth volunteers are to observe the VIM policy of abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and vulgarity while on the mission.  All volunteers should plan to dress conservatively.  No tank-tops, halters or short-shorts are to be worn on VIM teams.  Shorts of any length cannot be worn by those participating in the Mexican mission.

Registrants arrive at 7:00 pm on Friday. After dorm assignments and introductions, the week end theme begins to develop through a series of talks which compare the changing nature of material & social reality as compared to the permanent nature of spiritual reality, a firm foundation on which teens can built a secure foundation on life. Included in the schedule are small group discussions on each talk. Each day begins & ends in Worship, singing, games, and fun. The closing service at 3:30 on Sunday is open to family, friends, and Church members.

     The Happening ends at 5:30 PM on Sunday. Participants are not asked to do anything embarrassing. They will meet some neat friends who face the same problems in school, family, dating, & everyday life.  They will find some answers this weekend. 
      STAFF... 
           The Happening is staffed & put on by teenagers for teenagers 10th - 12th grades.
                  The few adults present will be there to support the weekend. There will be
                  Spiritual Directosr to administer the sacraments and provide spiritual counseling.
    The Happening is fun and you will meet some neat people. 
    Can Christianity penetrate the reality of a teenager's world today?
    Can modern youth turn on to Christ's love instead of drugs, violence, or apathy?

THE HAPPENING MOVEMENT THINKS SO!! 
     It proposes no new types of spirituality, however, it does provide a method through which one's spirituality may be developed, lived, & shared in fellowship with Christians willing to dedicate their lives to God in an on-going manner... 

An Instrument of Renewal... 
           The Happening Experience is a powerful instrument of renewal in the Church. Its
                    aim is to concentrate closely on the person & teachings of Jesus Christ. The
                    Happening gives those who attend the desire to understand and serve the
                    Church. What's more, it provides a means to continue the Christian formations
                    which is just begun in the 3-day program. 

            A Once in a Lifetime Experience! 
                   A Happening can only be made once in a lifetime, therefore it is not a substitute
                   for a retreat. During the 3 days, the teachings of Christ are discussed in a feeling
                  of Joy & Happiness, with many singing & informational sessions. 
             The Happening makes succeeding retreats more profitable. Happeners are 
                   encouraged to make regular retreats and be active in their churches. 

                    Louisiana United Methodist Happening 
                    For more information: 
                    Contact: Registrar 
                    LA United Methodist Happening 
                    5945 Hickory Ridge Blvd. 
                    Baton Rouge, LA 70817 
                    Phone: (225) 753-5542 
                    Home (225) 346-1646 
                    Office (225) 756-4494 Fax 
                    E-mail: cadove@eatel.net

LOUISIANA CONFERENCE SPONSORED

WASHINGTON D.C.  UNITED NATIONS SEMINAR TOUR NOVEMBER 19 - 27, 1999

SEMINAR TOPIC: Status Of Christianity In Russia And Cuba

COST: $500 including housing, transportation and admission tickets

REGISTRATION AND $300 DEPOSIT DUE BY SEPTEMBER 1, 1999
SPACE IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 40 YOUTH REGISTRANTS

APPLICATION
UNITED NATIONS - WASHINGTON D.C. SEMINAR TOUR
Louisiana Conference - The United Methodist Church
527 North Boulevard - Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
(225) 346-1646

 ( Please type or print this application)

Name:_______________________________________________________  Grade  ________________
Address:___________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number:  (           ) _______________________    E-Mail  ________________________________
Birthdate:  ______________________________   ?Youth      ?Adult           ?Male       ?Female
District:  _________________________     Local Church: _____________________________________
Minister: ______________________________    Check  #  _________    Amount Enclosed __________
Church Address:  ____________________________________________________________________
Deposit Must Accompany Registration. Final Payment Due October 1, 1999.
Send application and deposit to: 
     Conference Youth Director, 527 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70802-5700

SEMINAR TOUR CONVENANT:
As a youth or adult participant in the United Nations-Washington D.C. Seminar Tour and as a representative of my local congregation, community and Conference, I agree to accept the following guidelines during the Seminar Tour.
1.) Participation in all scheduled activities is expected.
2.) Anything considered illegal for minors or adults under civil and criminal law in New York or Washington, D.C.  Is considered to be illegal for the Seminar Tour participants.  This includes drug use, alcohol consumption, possession of firearms, weapons, fireworks, and observance of curfew.  Adults and youth are expected to abide by these restrictions.
3.) Smoking is prohibited inside all buildings and on the bus.  Participants are encouraged to refrain from smoking throughout the week.
4.) Live by the simple guidelines of  LOVE AND RESPECT for the rights, feelings and property of others.
I understand that if I do not follow the above guidelines appropriate disciplinary action will result. The Conference Youth Director will make decisions about appropriate disciplinary action.  The Conference Youth Director reserves the right to call parents/dismiss any person who breaks the Covenant.

I have read and agreed to abide by the Seminar Tour Covenant as stated above.

The General Board of Discipleship is sponsoring what will be the largest  international gathering of United Methodist Youth and their leaders next summer. 

Youth '99 is an international youth ministry gathering that will be held July 28-August 1, 1999.  For five days, United Methodist youth and youth leaders will come together in Knoxville to BE!