Along with the other 96 young adult volunteers who have accepted the call to serve with the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission during the 2017 – 2018 program year, Cal Lutheran graduate Carlee Wood will be departing for her year of service on August 23, 2017! Members of this year’s Synod Assembly met Carlee when she addressed the assembly about her mission.
Young Adults in Global Mission is an international mission opportunity for young people from the ages of 21 to 29 in which volunteers live and serve with ELCA companion churches and partner organizations around the world. Country programs are in Argentina/Uruguay, Australia, Cambodia, Central Europe, Jerusalem/West Bank, Madagascar, Mexico, Rwanda, Senegal, Southern Africa, and the United Kingdom. In addition to Hungary, the Central Europe program will add a site in Serbia. At 96, this year’s group is a record number of volunteers for the year-long program that started in 1999 with eight young adults.
As part of accepting the call, ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission are asked to raise at least $5,000 to help the program thrive and grow. Please consider helping Carlee reach her goal by supporting her with a a donation – from your congregation or as an individual – today. Join her on her journey as she grows in her faith and walks in partnership with our global companions, and receive updates throughout her year of service. Every gift, no matter the size, matters.
In Carlee’s words:
During my time at CLU, I have been fortunate enough to have a short stint on the Regals volleyball team, become a Peer Advisor and Presidential Host, help coordinate Common Ground (my favorite worship service), and serve as the President of the Lord of Life Student Congregation. I’ve also been lucky enough to intern at James Storehouse, volunteer at Lutheran Social Services Community Care Center of Thousand Oaks, and spend several summers working at camp for Lutheran Retreats, Camps, and Conferences (LRCC)…if you know anything about Cal Lutheran, you may know our emphasis on purpose. My freshman year, the minute I stepped on to campus I was asked the question “what is your purpose?” To me, purpose (aka vocation) is a lifestyle or a general way of being that is often expressed through one’s profession, but moreover can be seen through one’s passions, actions, and character. Over my 4 years, it has become clear to me that my vocation is to serve others. While I am not sure how that will manifest in the years to come, I know that the step I must take right now is to jump far out of my comfort zone and serve as a YAGM in Mexico.
Read more about Carlee and donate at her YAGM page
https://vimeo.com/218072112