Individual Volunteer Orientation at Alma Mathews House, October 13-15, 2006

Fifteen candidates for the Individual Volunteers program came to New York City from across the U.S. and Canada to participate in the Orientation/Training held on October 13-15, 2006. They ranged in age from 21 to 68 and will serve in locations from Mississippi storm relief sites to Kenya and South Korea. They heard Paul Dirdak, Deputy General Secretary for UMCOR and Mission Volunteers, share about the work UMCOR is doing in Sudan and other parts of the world. Elliot Wright, GBGM Information Officer, gave the group pointers on how to tell their story and solicited their stories while they serve. Rev. Joseph Ewoodzie, UMVIM Coordinator for the New York Annual Conference, served as an excellent resource and led the group in closing worship and communion on Sunday.

Caren and Joy in Times Square

Pyppa and Sharon

Individual Volunteer Orientation-New York Oct 2006

1st row: Andy Carey, Roger Boe, Jeanie Blankenbaker. 2nd row: Sue King, Caren McCullough, Diana Smith, Jack Russell, Gabby Smith. 3rd row: Sharon Olsommer, Eva Spence-Johnson, Joseph Ewoodzie, Karan Russell, Tracey Shorey. 4th row: Helen Sciartelli, Alicia Andrews, Pyppa Johnson, Joy Orillo, Cassi Carey.