Announcing the Cancellation of the 2020-2021 In-Person Program Year
August 26, 2020
Friends and supporters of the ABQYAV program,
It is with a heavy heart that I share that the PC(USA) YAV program has decided to cancel all in-person programming for the 2020-2021 program year, instead offering a virtual cohort for interested participants. While this is disappointing for us locally, we do recognize that this is made in the best interest of keeping prospective YAVs safe in an ever-changing and unknown world.
In the YAV program, when sites take a year off, we call them “fallow” years. In agricultural terms, this is the year to rest, to enrich our soil, to prepare for the next planting. So, after three years of walking alongside YAVs as they experienced the Land of Enchantment, we will spend this year reflecting on our experience so far, and preparing for the future.
We ask each of you to come alongside us on that journey. Without YAVs present locally, we plan to use this time to dig into our relationships with the presbytery, with community partners, with local young adult communities, and with supporters afar. We hope to use this time to strengthen our local relationships and partnerships in ways that will serve us for years to come. I hope this time can be used to meet with congregations, share with mission committees, and share sermons and minutes for mission.
From the start of this program in 2017 (and the years of planning before that), we have been blessed through the support of so many of you, through your prayers, your presence at ABQYAV events and fundraisers, and your financial gifts. We ask for that ongoing support--that you hold the ABQYAV program in prayer, that you invite us into your (virtual) midst, and that you continue to give as you can through this unique season of our program life. We look forward to again welcoming YAVs in the future, and greatly appreciate your support in this uncertain time.
We grieve with so many of you in the many losses of this challenging COVID-19 world, but also hope to live into the creativity of the Spirit as we seek our path forward. So, we choose trust in a time of fear, and seek your partnership on that journey.
Peace,
Luke M Rembold
ABQYAV Site Coordinator, PoSF Staff
On behalf of the ABQYAV board
Friends and supporters of the ABQYAV program,
It is with a heavy heart that I share that the PC(USA) YAV program has decided to cancel all in-person programming for the 2020-2021 program year, instead offering a virtual cohort for interested participants. While this is disappointing for us locally, we do recognize that this is made in the best interest of keeping prospective YAVs safe in an ever-changing and unknown world.
In the YAV program, when sites take a year off, we call them “fallow” years. In agricultural terms, this is the year to rest, to enrich our soil, to prepare for the next planting. So, after three years of walking alongside YAVs as they experienced the Land of Enchantment, we will spend this year reflecting on our experience so far, and preparing for the future.
We ask each of you to come alongside us on that journey. Without YAVs present locally, we plan to use this time to dig into our relationships with the presbytery, with community partners, with local young adult communities, and with supporters afar. We hope to use this time to strengthen our local relationships and partnerships in ways that will serve us for years to come. I hope this time can be used to meet with congregations, share with mission committees, and share sermons and minutes for mission.
From the start of this program in 2017 (and the years of planning before that), we have been blessed through the support of so many of you, through your prayers, your presence at ABQYAV events and fundraisers, and your financial gifts. We ask for that ongoing support--that you hold the ABQYAV program in prayer, that you invite us into your (virtual) midst, and that you continue to give as you can through this unique season of our program life. We look forward to again welcoming YAVs in the future, and greatly appreciate your support in this uncertain time.
We grieve with so many of you in the many losses of this challenging COVID-19 world, but also hope to live into the creativity of the Spirit as we seek our path forward. So, we choose trust in a time of fear, and seek your partnership on that journey.
Peace,
Luke M Rembold
ABQYAV Site Coordinator, PoSF Staff
On behalf of the ABQYAV board
Announcement on the 2020-2021 YAV Program Year
June 30, 2020
Faithful supporters of the ABQYAV program,
Grace and peace to you in this midst of these unprecedented and challenging times. We pray for each of your health and safety as we seek to navigate this constantly changing world together.
ABQYAV will look different for the 2020-2021 program year. As a response to the COVID-19 crisis, the denominational office of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has instituted a travel ban on PCUSA staff and volunteers until December 31, 2020. As a result, Young Adult Volunteers will not be able to travel to ABQ until January 2021, serving with us here through July of 2021.
This shorter term of service will change much of how we approach the experience of our Young Adult Volunteers here in ABQ. We remain committed to engaging YAVs in New Mexico’s diverse cultural history, exploring racism, colonialism, and privilege, and walking alongside YAVs in their own discernment as to where God is calling them next. Yet, we grieve the loss of half of our time with this group of YAVs. In the midst of instability, we seek to respond with creativity and grace, keeping our eyes and hearts open that the Spirit might lead us forward in new ways.
Knowing there are no guarantees, we pray that this is a temporary adjustment for the upcoming program year, and that fall of 2021 will find us welcoming YAVs on our normal timeline in early September. We welcome your prayers and support in this unique season of the ABQYAV program, and look forward to continuing to engage with our many supporters in the months to come.
If you have questions, concerns, or would like to connect, please don’t hesitate to reach out to ABQYAV site coordinator Luke Rembold at abqyav@gmail.com, or 505-226-2928.
Peace,
Luke M Rembold
ABQYAV Site Coordinator
On behalf of the ABQYAV Board
Faithful supporters of the ABQYAV program,
Grace and peace to you in this midst of these unprecedented and challenging times. We pray for each of your health and safety as we seek to navigate this constantly changing world together.
ABQYAV will look different for the 2020-2021 program year. As a response to the COVID-19 crisis, the denominational office of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has instituted a travel ban on PCUSA staff and volunteers until December 31, 2020. As a result, Young Adult Volunteers will not be able to travel to ABQ until January 2021, serving with us here through July of 2021.
This shorter term of service will change much of how we approach the experience of our Young Adult Volunteers here in ABQ. We remain committed to engaging YAVs in New Mexico’s diverse cultural history, exploring racism, colonialism, and privilege, and walking alongside YAVs in their own discernment as to where God is calling them next. Yet, we grieve the loss of half of our time with this group of YAVs. In the midst of instability, we seek to respond with creativity and grace, keeping our eyes and hearts open that the Spirit might lead us forward in new ways.
Knowing there are no guarantees, we pray that this is a temporary adjustment for the upcoming program year, and that fall of 2021 will find us welcoming YAVs on our normal timeline in early September. We welcome your prayers and support in this unique season of the ABQYAV program, and look forward to continuing to engage with our many supporters in the months to come.
If you have questions, concerns, or would like to connect, please don’t hesitate to reach out to ABQYAV site coordinator Luke Rembold at abqyav@gmail.com, or 505-226-2928.
Peace,
Luke M Rembold
ABQYAV Site Coordinator
On behalf of the ABQYAV Board
Announcement on Responding to COVID-19
April 5, 2020
Dear family, friends, and supporters of ABQYAV,
We live in challenging times. Responding to the current reality of this global pandemic, the ABQYAV program has pivoted our normal operating procedures in order to follow CDC guidelines and keep the Albuquerque YAVs safe. Even before New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham issued a statewide stay-at-home order on March 24th, ABQYAV created a set of guidelines to help YAVs navigate the flood of information regarding hand-washing, social distancing, and mental health in the midst of crisis. We prepared the YAV house with a 14-day quarantine supply in the event our YAVs need to be quarantined at home. Some YAVs have shifted to working from home for their work placement partners, while others are engaged in “essential” services as designated by the governor, continuing to work in direct service with marginalized populations. Those leaving the house are closely following health and safety procedures as outlined by the CDC to best ensure they will not operate as vectors transmitting the virus between their home and work placement, or vice versa.
YAVs are continuing to engage together in community days on Mondays, sharing meals and checking in with one another as they navigate this unique crisis. YAVs are also able to meet virtually with their spiritual directors, counselors, and other resources to best support their mental health in this time. The Albuquerque YAV site coordinator is checking in with the YAVs at least once a week, in addition to being available for phone calls, texts, and general support as needed.
As parents, friends and supporters of these young adults, we ask that you continue to lift both our YAVs and the communities they serve in prayer. We know that some of you hoped to visit YAVs this spring/summer--please postpone any trips to Albuquerque until we hear from health officials that it is again safe, and only reschedule those trips after consulting with the YAVs themselves to ensure that your travel will not endanger YAVs or the communities they serve. Finally, please consider a gift to the ABQYAV program--the ABQYAVs have been working diligently to meet their group fundraising goal, but with the restrictions on group gatherings in place, have had to alter their strategy.
Caitlin, Nate, Nathan, and Tristan are doing incredible work, both as individuals to take ownership of their health and well-being, and as a community to support one another through this epidemic. ABQYAV is also incredibly grateful and proud of the great cloud of witnesses near and far that support these young adults on this journey-thank you! If you have concerns or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Luke M. Rembold, ABQYAV Site Coordinator, or board chairs Dennis Plummer and Nelson Capitan.
Peace to you, and prayers for the journey forward together,
Luke M. Rembold
ABQYAV Site Coordinator
Dennis Plummer
Nelson Capitan
ABQYAV Board Chairs
Dear family, friends, and supporters of ABQYAV,
We live in challenging times. Responding to the current reality of this global pandemic, the ABQYAV program has pivoted our normal operating procedures in order to follow CDC guidelines and keep the Albuquerque YAVs safe. Even before New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham issued a statewide stay-at-home order on March 24th, ABQYAV created a set of guidelines to help YAVs navigate the flood of information regarding hand-washing, social distancing, and mental health in the midst of crisis. We prepared the YAV house with a 14-day quarantine supply in the event our YAVs need to be quarantined at home. Some YAVs have shifted to working from home for their work placement partners, while others are engaged in “essential” services as designated by the governor, continuing to work in direct service with marginalized populations. Those leaving the house are closely following health and safety procedures as outlined by the CDC to best ensure they will not operate as vectors transmitting the virus between their home and work placement, or vice versa.
YAVs are continuing to engage together in community days on Mondays, sharing meals and checking in with one another as they navigate this unique crisis. YAVs are also able to meet virtually with their spiritual directors, counselors, and other resources to best support their mental health in this time. The Albuquerque YAV site coordinator is checking in with the YAVs at least once a week, in addition to being available for phone calls, texts, and general support as needed.
As parents, friends and supporters of these young adults, we ask that you continue to lift both our YAVs and the communities they serve in prayer. We know that some of you hoped to visit YAVs this spring/summer--please postpone any trips to Albuquerque until we hear from health officials that it is again safe, and only reschedule those trips after consulting with the YAVs themselves to ensure that your travel will not endanger YAVs or the communities they serve. Finally, please consider a gift to the ABQYAV program--the ABQYAVs have been working diligently to meet their group fundraising goal, but with the restrictions on group gatherings in place, have had to alter their strategy.
Caitlin, Nate, Nathan, and Tristan are doing incredible work, both as individuals to take ownership of their health and well-being, and as a community to support one another through this epidemic. ABQYAV is also incredibly grateful and proud of the great cloud of witnesses near and far that support these young adults on this journey-thank you! If you have concerns or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Luke M. Rembold, ABQYAV Site Coordinator, or board chairs Dennis Plummer and Nelson Capitan.
Peace to you, and prayers for the journey forward together,
Luke M. Rembold
ABQYAV Site Coordinator
Dennis Plummer
Nelson Capitan
ABQYAV Board Chairs
ADDENDUM as of 4/13/2020:
We have decided to ask our two remaining YAVs working in the field to stay home, in order to best follow the statewide stay-at-home order and work to protect the larger community. These are hard conversations, but ABQYAV remains committed to the safety of our YAVs while striving to engage in our program mission. We will continue to evaluate when YAVs will be able to return to the field, and look forward to YAVs finishing their experience here alongside their community partners.
We have decided to ask our two remaining YAVs working in the field to stay home, in order to best follow the statewide stay-at-home order and work to protect the larger community. These are hard conversations, but ABQYAV remains committed to the safety of our YAVs while striving to engage in our program mission. We will continue to evaluate when YAVs will be able to return to the field, and look forward to YAVs finishing their experience here alongside their community partners.