Opportunities for youth and young adults in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are not limited to youth groups and mission trips. There are many ways for young people to find community beyond their church, to take on leadership roles and to shape the denomination. Here are six ways young Presbyterians are doing just that.
1. Creation Action Network of Presbyterian Young Adults (CANOPY)
CANOPY is a network of young adults within Presbyterians for Earth Care. This network, bonded by care for creation, provides Presbyterians between 18 and 35 years old with the opportunity to be in community, learn and practice advocacy together. They have monthly meetings and community hours, creating spaces for learning and growing in their faith and advocacy. For more information, follow @canopy_pec on Instagram, reach out to organizer Emma Marshall ([email protected]) or fill out the interest form.
“CANOPY has provided a space for young adults to raise and amplify their voices in an aging denomination through advocacy. At the same time, and perhaps just as crucially, it has provided a space for young adults to be validated in their faith and values – to see that there are Presbyterians out there that share not only a demographic identity, but also a way of living out their faith that holds creation and justice as paramount.” — Emma Marshall, CANOPY organizer
2. Advocacy Offices
The Office of Public Witness (OPW) and Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations (PMUN) offer internship and fellowship opportunities for young adults. These two advocacy offices are responsible for representing the PC(USA) General Assembly to world leaders and government officials. OPW works out of Washington, D.C., on domestic issues, and PMUN works out of New York City on international issues. Both offices welcome young people who share their passion for love and justice. Internships and fellowships are offered over the summer and during the academic year, online and in person; pay varies based on opportunity.
3. General Assembly: Young Adult Advisory Delegates (YAADS)
Young Adult Advisory Delegates (YAADS) are elected by their presbytery to participate in the General Assembly alongside commissioners. To serve in this role, they must be between 18 and 23 years old and a member of the PC(USA). During GA, YAADs are voting members of the committee they are assigned to, and they offer an advisory vote during plenary. This is a volunteer role, but all expenses, including travel, accommodations and food, are covered by the denomination. To apply for this role, young adults may reach out to their stated clerk or presbytery staff for more information.
“The YAAD experience was life-changing. I made several friends and important connections that I still keep in touch with. I also learned so much about Presbyterian polity and how our church gets things done.” — Jacob Loesch, 226th GA YAAD
4. Triennium Production Team
Triennium is a gathering of high school-age youth and young adults held every three years. This four-day conference – to be held in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2028 – is a time of worship, recreation and faith formation. The production team offers an intentional leadership opportunity that involves planning and executing Triennium; the team comprises 45 young adults between the ages of 19 and 25. Applications for the 2028 production team will be available at pcusa.org/youth. To learn more about this team and the application process, contact Heather Leoncini at [email protected] or Gina Yeager at [email protected].
“This group literally takes the detailed plans for this large event and brings them to life. They produce the experience so that the young Presbyterians who attend feel seen, challenged, listened to and welcomed into a Presbyterian event developed specifically for them.” — Gina Yeager, Presbyterian Youth Triennium Director
5. Camp and conference centers
With camps all over the U.S., the PC(USA) offers plenty of opportunities for young people looking to work in camp ministry. From being a camp counselor at Mo-Ranch or Massanetta Springs to filling various summer staff positions at Montreat or Zephyr Point, youth and young people can choose from a variety of open positions all over the country. Visit the Campfire Collective’s resource, summertoremember.com, to explore an interactive map showing camp summer staff opportunities for the PC(USA) and partner denominations. Conferences, such as Montreat Youth and College Conferences and Triennium, also provide opportunities for youth and young adults to attend or plan conferences.
6. Young Adult Volunteers
With the motto “Year of Service, Lifetime of Change,” the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program is an impactful year for young adults to grow in faith and service within domestic and international communities. A wide range of opportunities that include teaching, advocacy, and pastoral care, allows the YAV program to give young adults valuable experience and aids in their vocational discernment. For more information, visit the YAV page at the PC(USA)’s website, where you can find application details and contact information for each site supervisor.
“The YAV program is the type of program where young adults face social justice issues head-on and work with mission partners who have boots on the ground, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to make this world in God’s image.” — Cherokee Adams, YAV, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2016-2018
