Reasons for Volunteering

General Secretary

Peace Corps

Elf YourBVSelf

BVS



Brethren Volunteer Service is persons giving their time and skills, like Santa's helpers, to help a world in need. It is a way for people to work at issues greater than themselves, recognizing that their efforts may not immediately solve deep-rooted problems, but can be part of on-going work for justice, peace, goodwill, and the integrity of creation.

Another Sighting of an Elusive Figure

The plot thickens as Anglo Leasing has been spotted removing a second tree from the property Elgin's BVS House. Rumors circulate that the lumber is being sold as part of a bribery kickback scheme devised to replenish the General Board coffers. Bob Gross could not be reached for comment but it's been a long time since we've mentioned him.

LoraxVolSvc

Lorax Sighting

There's a buzz throughout the world of cryptozoology as a rare Lorax has been spotted in Elgin. The elusive indicator species was spotted over the weekend outside of the BVS House, located in Elgin, Illinois. While some are encouraged by the sighting of this rare creature, others quickly point out that its appearance raises concerns about deforestation.

BVS for Life

Ruined For Life

Brethren Volunteer Service announced today that Johnny Lechner, a long-time student who has no long-term career plans, has decided to apply for a volunteer position once he graduates. BVS hopes that his tour of service will be a long and productive one; the organization feels that his involvment in the program will also serve as an endorsement which will bring in many more candidates.

CheapLabor

No Experience Required

The estimated cost of a volunteer for a 12 month period is $5000 to $7000. This includes room, board, and a monthly allowance.

Workcamp Assistant Sought

Because there are so many workcamps in the summer and only two BVSers to coordinate them, they are going to need some help. One assistant workcamp coordinator will be hired. They will spend a few weeks in Elgin helping to prepare for workcamps, and then travel to eight different workcamps all around the country.

You might be wondering what exactly this job entails. As Chris Douglas will tell you, "The job of the coordinators is to make it work. The job of the assistants is to help make it work." As an assistant workcamp coordinator, you could find yourself supervising a group of youth at a work project, providing support and encouragement to a workcamper who is going through a difficult time, grocery shopping, eating 2000 calories of Snickers, leading devotions, spending an evening in a hospital with a workcamper who broke her arm, or providing support and encouragement to an exhausted workcamp coordinator.

For more information on the roles and benefits of being a workcamp assistant as well as if you have any questions contact the Youth and Young Adult Office at cobyouth_gb@brethren.org or 800-323-8039

Go Where I Send Thee

This year has seen a serious drop off on volunteerism by Brethren senior high youth. While junior high and young adult workcamps are filled to capacity, nearly twenty percent of the senior high openings remain vacant. It seems that last summer's National Youth Conference had an unintended side effect. Exploiting a grant from the Lilly Endowment, NYC set our youth focus on vocation and now it looks like they've lost interest in volunteerism. There's still hope to be found in the current junior high generation who have not been exposed to this vocation frenzy, but Brethren Volunteer Service could be suffering in a few years when the job focused youth of today turn towards the workplace rather than joining BVS.

251 Stars!

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YAC

The Gospel Messenger would like to remind you to sign up for next spring's Young Adult Conference.

May 23-25, 2003
Camp Eder, Fairfield, Pennsylvania
"Being Brethren in Today's Culture"
Leader: Shawn Replogle
Cost: $80

Register early, as only the first 2,000 registration will be accepted. Shawn Replogle indicated that the sudden popularity of YAC is not due to his leadership, and that he doesn't expect many of the conference attenders to join BVS unit #255 which has been renamed the "Replogle Unit" after the amazing demand for units with ties to famous Brethren leaders. Shawn insists that his fifteen minutes of fame are long over, and that today's young adults are the real hero's within the church.

BVS Loses All Credibility at NOAC

Former BVSer Chris Brown demonstrates his
talent for blowing up a rubber glove while it's
on his head.



(We love you Chris - the Editors)