The Presbytery of South Louisiana is excited to welcome six new YAVs for the 2010-2011 year. Throughout this year, we hope the YAVs will be servant leaders in our congregations and organizations. The gifts and skills they bring will no doubt be tapped into, and we hope to be a community where they will be challenged but loved tremendously.
[From left to right:]
Maegen Norman (Bryan/College Station, TX) graduated from Schreiner University with a B.A. in History and will be serving as a chaplain’s assistant at Ochsner Hospital. Meagen will visit patients and families, providing spiritual support where needed. “I’m serving this year to strengthen my relationship with Christ while serving others in His holy name.”
Katie Turpen (Birmingham, AL) just graduated from Presbyterian College with a B.A. in English. Katie will serve at both Faith Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church, participating in the life of the congregation and their outreach into the community. “I’m serving as a YAV because I want to help a community in need, step out of my comfort zone in a new place, and discern God’s call in my life.”
Evan Ponder (Portland, OR) just graduated from Grinnell College with a B.A. in Spanish and a concentration in Global Development Studies. Evan will continue the work of C.H.A.R.T. and FPC of Bayou Blue, educating short-term volunteers of the environmental issues of south Louisiana. Evan is serving as a YAV “to intentionally reflect and act on God’s call to serve others, while growing in [his] personal faith.”
Emma Wood (Elizabeth City, NC) just graduated from Greensboro College with a B.A. in English and Communication. Emma will serve at Chinese Presbyterian Church, coordinating children, youth and outreach programs of the congregation. “I’m serving as a YAV this year to ‘be the change.’”
Tasha Nickler (Bucyrus, OH) just graduated from Bluffton University with a B.A. in Business Administration. Tasha will serve two roles at Project Homecoming as the Volunteer Village Manager and Community Liaison. Tasha will host short-term volunteers as well as meet with homeowners regarding their housing needs. “I’m serving as a YAV because I enjoy serving others.”
Lauren Rampy (Dallas, TX) just graduated from the University of Tulsa with a B.A. in Religion. Lauren will serve at Project Homecoming as a Volunteer Village Manager, welcoming short-term volunteers and creating time and space for spiritual reflection throughout their week of service. Why is Lauren serving as a YAV? “At this point, I’m not exactly sure, but I’ve been called here for a reason.”
Jeremiah 29:13-14: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
I pray that the YAVs, and all of us for that matter, will be found by God as we live lives of service.
Peace be with you,
kathy
Young Adult Volunteers in New Orleans 