Description & Note on Culture
We have an opportunity to join the ASSIST-JC Mission Trip with  All Souls Congregational Church, UCC in Bangor. This mission program has been running since 2000 and it is an honor to be included as one of their groups this year. 

One of the hallmarks of the ASSIST-JC program is the careful attention they pay to the shaping and development of souls. Our focus for this trip will be learning to live as followers of Jesus Christ, while serving in places Jesus invites us to serve. Learning to love one another as Jesus loves us is the primary task as we prepare for and participate in mission trips. 

Here is their note on the culture of the mission team: 

“ During all fundraising efforts, all team building meetings, all travel, all work projects, all “down time”, living and acting as a follower of the Jesus Way is expected…which is to say we hope and pray and work toward all team members growing in their ability to be patient and kind with one another…to care more for others than for self, to be content with what one has…to not strut one’s stuff or have a swelled head…to not always think about “me first”, to not fly off the handle if things get tough…to not keep score of the inadvertent insensitivity of others, to trust God always…to always look for the best, and to keep going. It is a tall order. God has never shied away from asking the best from us and we pose that challenge to each traveler…student and adult alike. We have not been disappointed. It is a privilege to work and travel with people who are willing to try Jesus’s way. Now, the truth is, sometimes people mess up. Sometimes people say hurtful things, sometimes people slack off and don’t do their fair share, sometimes people shut others out, but it is not condoned. We attempt to address slips and falls with the same love that God has shown for us in the first place; by pointing out the need for redirection and a helping hand to get up out of the dirt and try again. We’re still learning from one another and with one another as we become God’s outpost in the mission field. Now, this may sound very ‘pious’ and ‘un-fun’, but that is not our experience at all!! We have a great time working together and traveling together. In fact, it’s often heard that this is the greatest bunch of people to hang out with…I think it’s true. 

We’d love to have you join us! It does require a real commitment on your part. 

We do expect your participation in all fund-raisers and team-building meetings. This is how we spread the work around and how we develop our ‘team’…so please be prepared to say ‘yes’ when asked to pitch in or sign up. At some point, most team members move from just saying ‘yes’ to the next level of asking, “How can I help?” even before being asked. We can always tell when someone has caught the spirit of ASSIST-JC because they never fail to ask that question when they enter a room and see people tackling a project.”

- Rev. Rebekah Timms, Minister of Christian Nurture and Family Mission

As you will see on the calendar there is a steady stream of fund-raising and planning activities spaced throughout the year. Each family with a teen going on the trip and all adult participants are expected to contribute time and energy toward making each event financially successful.

A note on fundraising and cost:

The Church (Falmouth UCC) will be providing transportation, staffing, and support throughout the year to support this mission. Mission trip participants are expected to pay their $ 350.00 travel costs out-of-pocket by making installment payments: $175 is due at the time of commitment, and $175 will be raised by participants through fundraising throughout the year. If the funds are not raised through our fund raising efforts families will be asked to contribute the rest of the funds, but it is our expectation that participants will work together to raise the money as this will be a key part of group preparation for the trip. If the deposit amount is not doable for your family we do have funding available for scholarships, just talk to Pastor Amelia about your situation and needs. 

Participants (and if applicable their parents/ grownups) are also expected to provide the time and energy needed to hold successful fundraisers. Fund-raising events include the Superbowl Chili Fundraiser and the FCC Talent Show. Fund raising is an integral part of ASSIST-JC efforts each year. Some families could easily self-fund this trip, but that would cheat you out of the most important part of our fund-raising endeavors…THE BUILT-IN CHARACTER EDUCATION. While we fund raise we are also  training in the ancient Christian virtues of perseverance, gentleness, kindness, patience, generosity, and self control. You are gaining valuable knowledge on team-building, community, and communication skills. Vitally,  we are building a team that can work together when things are easy and when things are hard; a team that looks out for each other; a team that understands how to set goals and, using everyone’s skills, reach those goals. Fund raising is an opportunity to gain life-skills and develop relationships that are purposefully designed to lead to success and readiness for our mission trip.

Eastport Mission Trip 2025/26 Calendar of Events

Sunday November 2nd: Informational Meeting

November 16th: Commitment Sheets & deposit due

Sunday January 4th: Team Meeting I

Team Meetings are held throughout the year as a way to prepare ourselves as a team for the work to be done during our Mission Trip. We engage in Team Building activities, skill building, and cultural sensitivity learning as we prepare to serve together as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. These meetings are required for all travelers, youth and adults, planning to participate in this year’s Mission. 

February 7th & 8th: Chili making & chili fundraiser:

• Saturday 3:00- 5:00 PM making chili

• Sunday selling chili after church

Participation in fund raising events is an expectation of individuals planning to participate in our Mission trip. 

February 22nd: Lenten reflection here at the church from 3 PM- 5 PM. This is the Sunday after break. We will select spiritual preparation practices to commit to during the Lenten season. 

March 1st: Team Meeting II

March 6th: FCC Talent Coffee House Show, Youth make and sell food

Sunday, March 29th: Full Payment due from all participants

April 1st: Falmouth UCC sends full trip payment to Assist JC

April 2nd: Maundy Thursday service and mini retreat afterwards. Expect this to be after school.

May 3rd: An all team social/ project time with the Bangor team. We will be departing after worship & traveling to Bangor.

Depart directly after church.

Team meeting in Bangor will run 1:30-3:30 PM.

Participants will return to Falmouth UCC between 5:30 and 6 PM.

May 17th: Team Meeting III: In this meeting we will learn about our projects, get the daily schedule, learn tool safety, etc. We will again take the van to Bangor. Adult participants are expected at this event.

Team meeting in Bangor 4 PM- 6:30 PM

Depart from Falmouth UCC 1:30 PM

Participants will return between 8:30 and 9:00 PM.

June 21st- June 27th: Mission Trip to Eastport

This includes a Sunday morning 10 AM commissioning service at All Souls Congregational Church in Bangor- We will depart from the church parking lot at 7:30. Please arrive by 7 AM to load up!

Eastport 2026 Mission Trip Commitment Agreement

I, ______________________________, wholeheartedly commit myself to ASSIST-JC’s Eastport Mission Trip, June 21 – June 27, 2026. I will participate in all fundraisers for that purpose and I will participate in all group meetings and events set aside for preparation for that trip. Enclosed is my non-refundable $175-dollar deposit. I understand the remainder of the trip cost (Total: $350) is due by April 1, 2026.

Signature: _______________________________________________

Date of last tetanus booster: _________________________

My Parents’/Guardian's Contact Information (Emergency Contact Information):

Adult 1: _______________________________

Cell Phone Number  __________________________  

Email Address  ______________________________

Adult 2: _______________________________

Cell Phone Number  __________________________  

Email Address  ______________________________

Parent/ Guardian Signature  _______________________________       Date ____________   

Printed Name  _______________________________  

Participant Signature  _______________________________        Date ____________   

Printed Name     _______________________________  

Participant Cell Phone Number & Email Address

Email: ______________________________________  Do you regularly use email? Y/ N

Cell Phone: __________________________________ Do you use/ have your own cell phone? 

A note on cell phones: We will not communicate with minors on cell phones except through group messages or messages where a parent is cc-ed. As the purpose of this trip is to serve in Christian community we will not be using cell phones during the trip except during scheduled times. We do not have the capacity to appropriately monitor teen cell use on the trip. Thank you for your understanding and support.