wfn.org | Youth Advisory Delegates are Excited and Ready

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

15-June-1997 
GA97021 
 
             Youth Advisory Delegates are Excited and Ready 
 
                       by  Jerry Van Marter 
 
 
SYRACUSE--Andrew Buckley is overwhelmed.  Jennifer Rund is merely 
"amazingly impressed."  But these two Youth Advisory Delegates (YADs) -- 
who Saturday night were chosen co-moderators of the YAD Council -- are also 
quietly confident that they and their 170 fellow YADs are ready to make 
their impact on the 209th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church 
(U.S.A.). 
 
    Jennifer, from Decatur, Ill., and Southeastern Illinois Presbytery, and 
Andrew, a high school senior from Eatontown, N.J., were elected by the YAD 
Council, which is comprised of one YAD from each of the 17 Assembly 
committees.  The council meets every night after the Assembly's formal 
activities have concluded to discuss the day's events and reinforce the 
"immediate bonds" that Rund says have already developed among the YADs. 
 
    Both co-moderators credit the YAD advisors for creating an atmosphere 
in which the YADs feel valued.  "No one has ever put this much trust in 
me," Andrew commented.  "The trust and respect they have demonstrated in 
the YADs gives us more motivation to be responsible and to try harder." 
 
    "Their energy," adds Jennifer, "is so pure and honest -- it is very 
reassuring to feel so connected." 
 
    As with their commissioner cohorts, the YAD leaders' attention is most 
focused on Amendment B.  Jennifer and Andrew agree that the YADs are, in 
Jennifer's words, "very much opposed to it."  Jennifer says it may be 
because "we have way more friends who are openly gay."  She says she 
believes sexual orientation is genetic "so I don't think homosexual 
behavior is sinful." 
 
    Andrew says "we've grown up with homosexuality, so we're not as 
threatened by it -- it's more a part of our lives."  He says he has read "a 
lot of literature about human sexuality" and that until he's reached a 
conclusion about the factors that determine sexual orientation "I'm not 
prepared to make a judgement that [homosexual behavior] is sinful." 
 
    The YADs' overwhelming support for Pat Brown in the moderator's race is 
easily explained, both also agree.  "Pat was to the point, not bragging -- 
she drew us in and we felt the love from her,"  Andrew said.  "She was so 
warm and welcoming -- very genuine," Jennifer adds.  "I know she will pull 
us through this Assembly with grace and modesty and humor." 
 
    Success for these YADs will not be measured by what votes have been 
taken on what issues come June 21, they insist.  "I will consider this 
Assembly successful if after its over, I can honestly say I did everything 
I could to be a good delegate," Jennifer says.  "That, and to maintain the 
friendships I have already made here." 

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