wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Young Volunteers marks 10th birthday

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Note #8322 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Young Volunteers marks 10th birthday
GA04031
June 27, 2004

Young Volunteers marks 10th birthday

Official says many alumni go on to become leaders in PC(USA)

by Bill Lancaster

RICHMOND, June 27  - Presbyterians celebrated the 10th anniversary of the
Young Adult Volunteers (YAV) program at its Sunday luncheon during the 216th
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Nancy Cavalcante, associate director for national volunteers in the
Churchwide Personnel Services area of the National Ministries Division,
introduced several young adults who are either beginning or ending a year of
service in the program.

"Mission begins when we walk out the front door" of the church, Cavalcante
told said. "One of the things we are very excited to see are the young adults
who have been in the program go on to be leaders in the church."

Cavalcante said many YAVs go on to seminary or serve on the PC(USA) national
staff or serve in other professional positions in the church. She said many
church professionals then serve as volunteers after retirement.

Kerry Rice, director of admissions at Louisville Presbyterian Theological
Seminary, and a former U.S. volunteer, presented a brief history of the
program.

After the 1993 restructuring of the General Assembly Council, he said, Jim
Brown, then executive director, wanted to provide opportunities for young
adults to volunteer in the church. The program was created as Volunteers in
Shared Ministries. The Young Adult Volunteers program was launched the
following year in three sites in the western United States. Programs were
later established in Great Britain and Argentina. There are now 22 sites.

Rice said all the volunteers serve in communities in need with other YAVs
under 30 years old.

Cavalcante said people can volunteer online at www.pcusa.org/nvo

This story and many others may have photos, media, video clips that can be
found at http://www.pcusa.org/ga216.htm.

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