Hey Everybody,

It's Jennifer again. I am sorry that it has taken me so long to update today, but I just got back from a trip to NYC with Rhodes College to the Presbyterian UN office.

What is the Presbyterian UN Office you ask? Just like the Presbyterian Church (USA) has its headquarters in Louisville, KY, it also has an office in NYC right across the street from the United Nations. The Presbyterian UN Office (PUNO) keeps the church up to date on issues that are going on in the world and brings the voice of the church to the work of the United Nations. This office is one way that the work of the church of bringing good news to the poor, proclaiming release to the captives and letting the oppressed go free is brought about. The PUNO has two main goals: education and advocacy.

What I did when I was at the PUNO was really exciting and unique. The PUNO offers seminars to groups who are interested in different global issues. PUNO have hosted youth groups, adult groups, presbytery committees, educators, intergenerational groups, mission committees, ecumenical groups, summer camps, confirmation classes, campus ministry groups and seminary classes/organizations. The only requirement for the group is the desire to explore our Christian calling in today's globalizing world. Possible seminar topics include: Conflict in the Middle East, Building a Culture of Peace, Religious Conflict, Health Issues, Environmental Issues, International Debt, Homelessness, Disarmament, US Foreign Policy and the United Nations, and Regional and/or Country Specific Concerns.

The Rhodes group had three seminars (International Debt, Sustainable Living and Religious Conflict) and took a tour of the UN (which is really cool!). This is an amazing experience that the PUNO office offers and is a really great opportunity for students to get up close and personal to the UN and really see how it works with a faith perspective.

Another really cool thing about the PUNO is the Internship at the office. This is part of the Young Adult Intern Program of Mission Service Recruitment. It is a 1 year internship program for people 19-30. For more information on the internship, check out the mission service recruitment page at http://www.pcusa.org/msr/.

For more information about the Presbyterian UN office, here is the website for the PUNO office http://www.pcusa.org/peacemaking/un/. Check it out!

Peace in Christ,

Jennifer

"They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." Isaiah 2:4

Jen,
I am glad you had a great time at the UN office and with Catherine! She is the best! The other interns and I only get to see her once in a blue moon.
-Brianne