Gini Peterson, GEMN Rep. from the Diocese of
Atlanta, has submitted this paper.
ANSWERING THE
CALL TO A SHORT TERM MISSION TRIP
Background: When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, the
Mississippi Gulf Coast and Lower Alabama a domestic mission
opportunity came into place. What follows is the outline of the steps
taken by St. Matthew’s Global Mission Committee to respond to this
crisis. This will serve as a model for future mission planning.
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The need arises-
Devastation by Katrina made many needs apparent.
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St. Matthew’s Disaster
Relief Committee- A committee to address disaster needs was
formed under Global Mission.
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Areas of immediate need defined-
Several areas of need and possible action were identified. a.
Short term Mission Trips; b. Host survivor/evacuee families;
c. Support local community ministries impacted by the
disaster; d. Assist families of the parish who have been
directly affected by the disaster and are in need of assistance.
This paper will concentrate on
a. Short Term Mission Trips
Steps:
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Identify a coordinator for teams going on a mission
trip to the affected area. This person’s role is to secure
information about the location and dates volunteers are needed,
register the group with the appropriate receiving agency, help
missioners schedule dates for their team and disseminate information
to the parish about donations. The coordinator also informs
missioners of things to take on the trip and what conditions to
expect.
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Poll the parish to find out who would like to go on
a mission trip of this nature.
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While the nuts and bolts are being worked out,
those wishing to make a mission trip should be prayerfully
considering if they are called to this mission.
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Teams are formed. Team members get necessary
vaccinations.
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Orientation is conducted- preferably by those who
have gone before and by the coordinator who will have the most recent
information about the area.
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The team is commissioned as missioners at a major
service of the parish.
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Intentional prayer support is offered while the
team is in transit and on site.
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If possible, the team communicates by email or
other means with the parish, keeping them up to date on the work
being done.
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The team debriefs with a debriefing team that has
been selected before their departure. Debriefing should happen as
soon as possible after the team returns so that feelings and insights
are not diluted by taking up everyday routines. The debriefing team
should understand that their role is to listen to whatever the team
members chose to share. Information shared should be held in
confidence thus allowing missioners to be completely open. There
should be no attempt to “fix” the missioners feelings. The debriefers
may wish to ask questions that they feel will be helpful to the team
in putting their feelings, thoughts and emotions into context.
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A presentation is prepared for the parish.
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Team members orientate the next team and the cycle
repeats itself.
PROCESS FOR DEBRIEFING AFTER
A MISSION TRIP
RATIONALE and OVERVIEW:
Debriefing gives missioners an opportunity to share feelings, thoughts
and observations/insights in a small confidential setting.
Debriefing should happen as soon as possible after the mission team
returns so that feelings and insights are not diluted by returning to
everyday routines.
The role of the debriefing team is to listen to whatever team members
wish to share.
Information shared should be held in confidence thus allowing
missioners to be completely open.
There should be no attempt to “fix’ the missioner’s feelings.
The debriefing team may wish to ask questions that they feel will be
helpful to the missioners in putting their feelings, thoughts and
emotions into context.
The debriefing team remains available to the missioners on an “as
needed” basis for several months after the completion of the mission
trip.
STEPS:
1. Set the time at which this session is to end. An hour minimum is
suggested. More time may be needed if the mission team is larger than
2-3 people. Negotiate the time limits.
2. The facilitator explains the debriefing process, making sure that
the process is clear and answering any questions that arise about the
process.
PROCESS:
1. Each missioner shares- about
5
to 10 minutes- without interruption.
Passing is acceptable.
2. Debriefers ask any questions they may have. Questions may be
directed to a specific missioner.
3. Missioners share their insights about the trip, their actions or
other feelings. Expressions of anger, joy, grief, surprise, etc. may
emerge.
4.The debriefers share their insights.
5. If the group feels more time is needed the group can negotiate to
extend the time. If the group feels another session is needed, a time
is set for that meeting.
Gini Peterson, Lay team member
From St. Matthew’s, Snellville
To Coast Episcopal School
Long Beach, MS 10-05