1. The Lincoln United Methodist Church (LUMC), together with the Pilsen House Church (PHC) and Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) are committed to caring for and operating the Pilsen MVS Unit.
2. The Pilsen MVS Unit exists to provide service to the people of Pilsen and surrounding neighborhoods in a way that reflects LUMC's and PHC's commitments to their respective communities. A newly developed "Mission Statement" reads as follows: (quote the entire statement developed by MVS committee and unit.)
3. As the sponsoring/supporting congregations of the Pilsen MVS Unit, LUMC and PHC enter into partnership with MVS. This partnership is unique in that it entails three, rather than two entities. The local community is represented by the two faith communities mentioned, while the national program is represented by the MVS administration. In addition to these parties, members of the Oak Park Mennonite Church have fiathfully served on the MVS committee as well. Although the official partnership is with the two Pilsen churches mentioned, ongoing participation of Oak Park members will be greatly appreciated.
4. As local partners, LUMC and PHC will:
e. Help appoint and maintain an active and capable MVS committee for the unit. In order to insure a good working relationship between the MVS unit and the MVS committee, it is helpful to involve the MVS unit members in the process of selecting MVS committee members. (MVS may appoint up to two members when/if that is helpful.)
f. Help secure and maintain housing for the volunteers.
g. Help manage financial concerns related to the unit's welfare. Each MVS unit is expected to be financially self-sufficient. The MVS committee, which represents the sponsoring groups, is vested with the responsibility for making sure that the unit maintains a positive account balance.
h. Make sure that adequate support systems are in place for the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of the MVS workers.
i. Invite and encourage MVS workers to become involved in the life of one of the supporting faith communities.
j. Participate in the ongoing task of developing, managing, evaluating, and adjusting MVS involvement in the local community. The active participation of the sponsoring congregations in this regard is essential to ensure a worthwhile and helpful MVS presence. Regular evaluations should be initiated by the MVS committee.
5. The Lincoln United Methodist Church, the Pilsen House Church, and the Mennonite Voluntary Service will operate within the general guidelines as set forth in the MVS Handbook. The document Criteria for MVS Projects provides an additional frame of reference for the operation of the Pilsen MVS Unit.