Sustainability and Simplicity—the Presbytery of Boston YAV Challenge
May 23, 2016
It’s all about intentional, simple living and service. Learning about locally grown produce like romanesco (similar to cauliflower) and donut peaches. Learning to mesh your lifestyle with your roommates’ as together you grow spiritually. Learning about joy from service to others. Learning to love a new congregation of Presbyterians in a part of the country you don’t know. Learning to trust God as you think and pray about your career and future.
The Presbytery of Boston’s Young Adult Volunteer program, now in its third year, places its volunteers with one of its churches and a food justice partner in their community. Volunteers work with community gardens, food pantries, meal programs, nutritional programs, community supported agriculture sites and food advocacy agencies. They participate in retreats where the focus may be simple living, supporting local farmers or studying how faith and work intersect.
As the YAVs gain perspective on community issues such as homelessness, hunger and lack of access to good food, they engage their host congregations in local agency work. They lead Bible studies, Moments for Mission, and book and film discussions to highlight the issues. They speak at Presbytery of Boston meetings and fill other important roles through their service.
The YAV program develops young leaders for the church while it strengthens congregations to do the work of God’s kingdom where they are.
Beverly Shank, Board Chair, Boston Food Justice Young Adult Volunteer Program
Let us join in prayer for:
Presbytery Staff:
Cindy Kohlmann, Resource Presbyter
TJ DeMarco, Stated Clerk
Wren Collé, Administrator
Catherine Gillette, Site Coordinator, Boston Food Justice Young Adult Volunteer Program
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Eva Slayton, PMA
Valerie Small, OGA
Melody Smith, PMA
Let us pray
Gracious Lord and Creator of this wonderful natural world, we pray for the Presbytery of Boston’s YAV program and for the program nationally. May our volunteers from all years continue to be good stewards of your bountiful earth and be models of simple living. May they continue to remind us all of Jesus’ commandment to care for “the least of these.” In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.