Young adults in the Community of Christ have the unique opportunity to learn and share their story while serving as summer interns and fellows at church historic sites in Kirtland, Ohio, and Nauvoo, Illinois. Students involved in these programs learn valuable information about church history, earn college credit, interact with visitors, learn leadership skills, make lasting friendships, and receive a weekly stipend. Young people who participate find the perfect environment for growth and reflection.
Those serving in Kirtland this summer included Margaret Rastle, Lyle Anderson, and Sarah Crockett, Kirtland, Ohio; Cory Upson, Ardmore, Oklahoma; Amanda Batey, Mentor, Ohio; and Cassie Rosbury, Louisville, Kentucky. Those serving in Nauvoo were Alan Savage, Nauvoo, Illinois; Kevin Bryant, Macomb, Illinois; Katie Weston, Independence, Missouri; Maggie Bennett, Charlotte, Michigan; Laura Minton, Dallas, Texas; Tara Stevens, Bellevue, Michigan; Jaimee Phipps, Waterford, Michigan; and Julianne Jones, Blue Springs, Missouri. While much of the focus at historic sites is on our past, Krista Ballantyne, Denver, Colorado, and Annie Van Dielen, St. Louis, Missouri, young adults who spent their summer serving at the Temple in Independence, Missouri, focused on the church today and their hopes for the future.

With the close of summer, the interns and fellows have returned to school, but visitors continue to arrive, hoping to hear their story. Please consider joining the dedicated staff and volunteers, who offer a ministry of hospitality to more than 100,000 visitors every year. The need for help is especially great in spring and fall.

Julianne Jones shares the story of Nauvoo.

Between historic sites and International Headquarters, volunteer positions are available for guides, retail associates, receptionists, maintenance staff, housekeeping staff, and gardeners. Volunteers in Kirtland and Nauvoo are supplied with furnished housing. Kirtland, a mere 30 minutes from Cleveland, Ohio, also offers outdoor activities like fishing on Lake Erie and in several pristine streams nearby. Nauvoo, located on the Mississippi River along a wildlife reserve, lifts spirits with its natural scenery and tranquility.
Additional information on volunteer opportunities and the process to apply can be found at www.CofChrist.org/volunteers or by calling Lachlan Mackay at (217) 453-2246.

—Maggie Bennett reporting