Brethren Volunteer Service welcomes ten volunteers
The Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Summer Unit 331 held orientation at Camp Wilbur Stover for 10 volunteers, the largest number since the pandemic started.
More than 50 projects across 11 countries
What is BVS?
Through the Church of the Brethren, the Brethren Volunteer Service places volunteers in projects all across the world to serve those in need. Volunteers work with organizations in various sectors, including environmental stewardship, peacebuilding, childcare, and housing. Take the next step — find out more about BVS.
What is BVS?
Through the Church of the Brethren, the Brethren Volunteer Service places volunteers in projects all across the world to serve those in need. Volunteers work with organizations in various sectors, including environmental work, peacebuilding, working with children, and housing. Take the next step — find out more about BVS.
Goals
Advocating
Justice
- Providing reliable legal services for immigrants
- Practicing and teaching restorative justice
- Supporting conscientious objectors
- Speaking up on behalf of those who have been and continue to be systematically oppressed
Working for
Peace
- Lobbying congress
- Practicing meditation
- Teaching nonviolent conflict transformation
- Working with organizations committed to rebuilding relationships and making peace
- Serving communities torn apart by war and violence
Serving
Human Need
- Providing hospitality for families of people in prison
- Serving in local soup kitchens and homeless centers
- Building houses for those without shelter
- Walking in solidarity with sisters and brothers living with mental illness
Caring for
Creation
- Living lightly on the earth
- Consuming less and re-using more
- Serving with organizations dedicated to:
- Reducing pollution
- Fighting climate change
- Introducing responsible agricultural practices
- Planting trees
Who Can Serve?
Anyone over the age of 18 can apply!
BVS offers six month placements for older adults (ages 50 and older). Older adults are welcome at all orientations. For more information, visit the Older Adult Program information page.
One does not need to be part of Church of the Brethren to apply. BVS welcomes all volunteers who have a willingness to serve and work for issues bigger than themselves.
Benefits
Room & Board
Medical Insurance
Monthly Stipend
Transportation
Orientation Dates
Fall 2022 #332
October 11–October 20
Camp Brethren Heights, Rodney, MI
Applications are closed
Summer 2023 #333
TBD
BVS updates
Chelsea Goss Skillen to direct Brethren Volunteer Service
Chelsea Goss Skillen has been hired by the Church of the Brethren as director of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS). She is a graduate of Bridgewater (Va.) College with a bachelor of science degree in Liberal Studies, and of Regis University with a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. She will begin working from the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., on Oct. 24.
Brethren Volunteer Service makes changes to placement process, increases monthly stipend
Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) is changing its orientation and placement process. Beginning with the upcoming summer and fall units, volunteers will engage in a process in which they will be pre-placed prior to the start of orientation. Orientation, in turn, will be shortened from three weeks to one week.
Zechariah Houser resigns as coordinator of short-term service
Zechariah Houser has resigned as the Church of the Brethren’s coordinator of short-term service, effective Aug. 12. He has worked for the denomination for close to a year, having started on Aug. 9, 2021. He will be entering a chaplaincy internship.
Dan McFadden to serve as interim director of Brethren Volunteer Service
Dan McFadden has been hired by the Church of the Brethren as interim director of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) on a part-time basis, beginning Feb. 21.
Brethren Volunteer Service is proud to be a member organization of
Catholic Volunteer Network.