YAV Ailih writes of her work on a DC immigrant rights organization’s detainee hotline, including this reflection on her experience:

The idea of being an active ally to marginalized groups aligns with the PC(USA)’s commitment to being a “Matthew 25 church,” and I’m finding both Jesus’ urging in that verse and the concept of allyship helpful in guiding my exploration of how I want to live into Christianity. Especially in this season of giving and hope, I’ve been grateful to have the experience of working at the hotline to remind me of what is important in my faith as I prepare my heart for the coming of Christ.

From Matthew 25:

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

On August 25 we commissioned Ailih Weeldreyer and Langley Hoyt as Young Adult Volunteers, who will both be serving in Washington, D.C.

The Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program is an ecumenical, faith-based year of service for young people, ages 19-30, in sites around the world and in the United States. YAVs accompany local agencies working to address root causes of poverty and reconciliation while exploring the meaning and motivation of their faith in intentional community with peers and mentors. YAVs serve during the academic year, August to July.

You can follow Ailih’s blog and Langley’s blog. (The “follow” button is at the bottom right)