I am pleased to inform you that Leslie McKnelly, of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC, has been selected by the General Assembly Council to serve in mission on behalf of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  She will be serving with the International Young Adult Volunteer program in the nation of Peru during the 2008-2009 YAV cycle.

The International Young Adult Volunteer Program offers opportunities in Christian service and learning for young adults (21 to 30 years of age) in seven sites around the world. The job descriptions for the volunteers depend both on the needs of the partner and the skills of the Young Adult Volunteer. In each placement, the volunteer works with a church or organization, develops Christian community, and meets regularly for prayer and Bible study with other Young Adult Volunteers.

Leslie recently attended the Placement Event held on the campus of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary where the volunteers had the opportunity to discern their placement in the midst of a community that included other volunteers, international site coordinators and the Young Adult Volunteer Program staff.

Funding for their time serving internationally is shared by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Young Adult Volunteer, supporting congregation(s) and presbyteries, as well as family and friends. The appointment as a Young Adult Volunteer is considered a full-time position, and volunteers are not allowed to secure other employment while they are serving overseas. They receive a small stipend to cover basic living expenses in the country where they will live and work. With the approval of the General Assembly Council, mission workers are asked to help raise funds to help defray the costs of supporting them and their work while they are at their places of assignment.

Any way that you can support and encourage Leslie during her year of service will be warmly welcomed.  If you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me by e-mail at Shannon.Langley@pcusa.org or by phone at 1-888-728-7228, ext. 5024.

Sincerely,

Shannon E. Langley

Young Adult and National Volunteers Coordinator