Mission Education Tour (METour) FAQ
When did METour start and what do they do?
The Mission and Education tour was born
in 1950 from the idea of Louise Dutcher Johnson. Louise had grown up in
Kansas, but was unaware of the rich opportunities for Christian
service. A committee was formed and a tour scheduled. (The first tour
lasted 3 weeks.) In time, a four-year cycle was developed to visit four
different directions. For many years it was so popular that they
scheduled 2 tours each summer, which would travel in opposite
directions.
Today's METour incorporates 'hands-on'
mission work when possible. This was an amazing opportunity for the
participants. It's a chance to make a real difference - right there,
right now. Most of the work we do is inside the United Methodist
Mission agencies to help free up paid staff. Sometimes METour
participates in ecumenical work. There are times when we are doing both
at the same time. We also tour a variety of mission agencies,
institutions, and schools, most of which are sponsored, by the United
Methodist Women and the United Methodist Church so that we can report
back to our local churches about the work being done in these fields.
We divide into four family groups and each day we have different
chores. We sleep where we can put 40+ sleeping bags, most of the time
on church floors. We keep the places we visit as clean as we find them.
How to be a part of
METour
Applicants are young women completing
their sophomore year in high school or are between the ages of 15 and
22 years and picked from the Kansas West Conference. A local unit of
United Methodist Women (UMW) must sponsor each participant. Wait; what
if you don't have a local United Methodist Women Unit, can you still
participate? Yes, just check below to find out how to reach the
District Youth Activities person in your area. She will help you to
make contact with a unit in your area and get you started.
When and where do you go?
2009 Northeast Tour was June 7-17 and like all tours
departed from Wichita, KS. Check here for dates on the 2010 Southeast 2011 Northwest 2012 Southwest
tours. A registration form will be available for 2010 soon.
I want to do this, how do
I get started?
Contact your local United Methodist Women and tell them you are
interested in METour. Get an application from your local unit president
or download it here. Read it and fill it out.
Is that all?
Each applicant must submit three (3) letters of recommendation written
on 8 1⁄2 by 11 papers. Each letter is to be in a sealed envelope with
your name and from whom on the envelope. Be kind and allow these people
at least 2 weeks to write the letter. Your letters should be written
by:
* Your pastor
* Sunday School teacher or youth leader
* Teacher or employer
That is a lot of stuff. Now what is supposed to go into that envelope
and whom do I send it too?
1. A completed application along with
your
picture attached to upper right hand corner, signed by you and local
UMW President.
2. Your three (3) letters of
recommendation
3. $25.00 check made out to METour.
(Please do not staple your check to application.)
Be sure to include all the necessary items above into your envelope
before you seal it and mail it to your District United Methodist Women
Youth Activities Chairperson by March 25, 2008. Addresses for each
District Representative is listed on the application If you have a
question and would like to visit with your representative contact information is
listed below.
Dodge City
District
Youth Chair, Lora Horton 620-373-2055
Hays District Youth Chair, Judy Humburg
Hutchinson District, Jessica Bernhardt
Salina District Youth Chair, Sharon Foust
Wichita East District Youth Chair, Kayla Middleton
Wichita West District Youth Chair, Annette Van
Blaricum
How much does it cost?
TOTAL
COST: $300.00. Your registration fee of $25.00 must be enclosed with
the application. This holds your spot on the tour. If you are accepted,
the remaining payment of $275.00 is due MAY 25. Make all checks payable
to METour. Check with your local United Methodist Women to see if they
participate by paying part or all of the cost.
How soon will I know if
I'm accepted?
You
should receive information back in 2 to 4 weeks. The acceptance package
will contain important information and additional forms to fill out.
Feel free to contact the Conference Youth Activities Chairperson -
Erica Arb - with any questions you might have.
What if I was accepted,
but something has came up and I can't participate? What should I do?
Participants
are to contact their local United Methodist Women President or District
Youth Activities chairperson as soon as possible, if they are unable to
attend after being accepted. You could be responsible for paying the
fees if you are unable to attend after being accepted. No refunds after
10 days prior to departure.
Where can I get an application?
You can get an application in an Adobe .pdf file here when it becomes
available.
