[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs press release] As the Episcopal Church relaunches Episcopal Volunteers in Mission, interested adult candidates are invited to consider opportunities for sharing and learning in locales throughout the Anglican Communion.

“We are relaunching this long-standing missionary program to make people aware of the opportunities for Episcopalians of all ages to live, work, and pray alongside fellow Anglicans/Episcopalians around the world,” explained the Rev. David Copley, Episcopal Church Director of Global Partnerships and Mission Personnel. “This is an opportunity to live out your faith and to listen and learn from others as they do the same.”

Through Episcopal Volunteers in Mission, lay or ordained adult Episcopalians (ages 30+) devote six to 12 months volunteering in an area of the Anglican Communion. While the ministry of presence is of prime importance, volunteers have previously contributed as teachers, accountants, doctors, administrators, theologians, agriculturalists, chaplains, and many other areas of ministry.

Episcopal Volunteers in Mission is not unlike the Young Adult Service Corps. “The Young Adult Service Corps, or YASC as we call it, is very successful and participation and interest in the program continues to grow,” Copley continued. “We are often asked if there are similar opportunities for Episcopalians over the age of 30 to serve in a like way. We hope that relaunching the Episcopal Volunteers in Mission program will enable those who feel called to serve internationally to live out that call.”

“Missionary service can be a great way to strengthen Companion Relationships between dioceses and congregations,” said Elizabeth Boe, Staff Officer for Global Mission Engagement. “We are delighted to offer this opportunity to engage in global mission service to help support local mission initiatives of dioceses across the Episcopal Church.”

Information, requirements and applications are located here.

For more information, contact Boe at eboe@episcopalchurch.org or (212) 716-6381.

The Anglican Communion is the gathering of Anglican and Episcopal churches from around the world. Today, the Anglican Communion comprises more than 85 million members in 44 regional and national member churches in more than 165 countries. The Episcopal church is a member of the Anglican Communion.