wfn.org | ABCUSA: Churches to Observe Volunteer Sunday

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

by Susan Gottshall, American Baptist National Ministries

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 3/24/03)--To celebrate the
gifts of thousands of American Baptist volunteers, American Baptist
congregations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico will recognize
the faithful service of their members on April 27, 2003--American Baptist
Churches Volunteer Sunday.

Volunteerism begins in congregations with Sunday school teachers, choir
members, youth leaders and Bible school helpers, notes Carole Dieciedue,
chair of American Baptist Volunteer Services (ABVS) and National Ministries'
Volunteers In Mission director. These volunteers give life to a church.
Throughout the United States and the world, volunteer missionaries have
given life to the healing power of God's love by, for example, building
Habitat for Humanity houses and helping to rebuild homes and churches in
Puerto Rico and Costa Rica following Hurricane Georges and Hurricane Mitch.

Through National Ministries' Volunteers in Mission (VIM) and International
Ministries' Volunteer Services programs thousands of individuals--on their
own and in groups--serve as volunteer missionaries in mission settings in
the United States, Puerto Rico and around the world. In 2002 alone more than
2,000 volunteers participated in the VIM and International Ministries'
Volunteer Services programs. American Baptist Churches Volunteer Sunday
provides an opportunity to thank these individuals for sharing their time
and talents, as well as thousands of American Baptists who serve within the
local arena. 

A Volunteer Sunday resource packet is available free of charge from the VIM
office. The packet includes sermon outlines, recognition suggestions,
volunteerism scripture references and samples of a recognition certificate
and thank you letter.  Packets for churches are available from Volunteers In
Mission, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; 1-800-ABC-3USA/x2449. 

K/2003ABNS/03ABN46

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org