Friday, January 27, 2023

News from the Young Adult Volunteers – January 2023

Greetings! Happy New Year!

The YAV program is very excited that our current class is finding ways to connect within their YAV site local context to do the ministry of Matthew 25. Read about Drew Hill, who is serving in Washington, D.C., and learn how he is participating in congregational vitality by engaging congregations by interpreting his YAV journey through preaching.

Or virtually venture to Colombia and read about Christina Solis, who is eradicating systemic poverty by working with the Presbyterian Church in Barranquilla on land reform (solisfoc.wordpress.com/2022/12/31/finca-friends). Lastly, explore how the Tucson and Albuquerque YAVs are working together to dismantle structural racism by participating in a U.S./Mexico border delegation, through the lens of Tucson YAV Emma Rigler (abqyav.com/blog). If you would like to read more inspiring blogs from others within the current YAV class, please check them out here!

We have two exciting new program updates for 2023! The time is finally here! The Tucson YAV Site is turning 20! We are grateful for the success of our oldest YAV site ministry and look forward to celebrating Tucson’s achievements. If you would like to learn more about how you can engage with virtual and in-person events to celebrate Tucson, use this link: tucsonborderlandsyav.org/20years.html, or reach out to James Martin at tucsonborderlandsyav@gmail.com. Also, for the past seven years we have been partnering with the Church of Scotland to send United States YAVs to Scotland, but we are excited to announce that for the 2023–24 year, we will be welcoming Scottish YAVs to join our national program! Stay tuned for more details as we welcome the Scottish young adults into our YAV program.

Lastly, we are currently accepting applications for the 2023–24 YAV program! If you know of any young adults ages 19 to 30 who want to explore their Christian identity through a social justice lens, encourage them to apply! We will be accepting international site applications until March 1 and national site applications until June 1st. Apply here: yav.pcusa.org/accounts/login/?next=/application/personal.

We are on this journey together.

Destini Hodges,

Coordinator Young Adult Volunteers

“Just Talk Live” returns in 2023

The award-winning online talk show, co-hosted by the Rev. Lee Catoe and Destini Hodges, returns for 14 new episodes. Watch on Facebook or YouTube.

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Advocacy Watch podcast debrief COP 27

YAVs Victoria Alexander and Lucy McDermott publicized the recent climate change conference happenings via social media. They were part of an 8-person Presbyterian delegation who attended the yearly conference and Victoria shared their observations on a recent episode of the A Matter of Faith podcast.

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on TikTok

PC(USA) has a TikTok account! Follow us as we share what God is doing in the world with scripture, prayer, and some fun and humor.

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Stay connected with YAV alums

Are you a former YAV? If you haven’t already join the YAV Alum Network. We often get requests for alums to speak about the program to college groups, congregations, and other gatherings.

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Financial support for the YAV program

Please consider giving to the YAV program through a monthly or one-time gift to care for young adults engaged in “a year of service for a lifetime of change.”

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The Young Adult Volunteer program, a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is an ecumenical, one-year service opportunity for young adults ages 19 to 30. For nearly three decades, YAVs have listened for God’s call in their lives, while serving alongside partners at sites in the United States and around the world. YAVs live in intentional Christian communities developing and deepening their faith through service. Learn more about this transformative year at youngadultvolunteers.org.

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