Smith to Head Volunteers Program
Episcopal News Service. July 9, 1981 [81200]
NEW YORK -- The Rev. Canon Sanford D. Smith of Chicago has been named to the Episcopal Church Center staff to oversee the Volunteers for Mission program.
Smith's appointment was announced by Presiding Bishop John M. Allin. He will take up his duties with the World Mission in Church and Society staff in September.
The Volunteers program was launched under a mandate from the 1976 General Convention as a channel for missionary exchange. Participants are matched to specific teaching, pastoral, technological or administrative needs throughout the Anglican Communion and serve for limited periods of time to meet those needs.
Since participants are required to generate most of their own financial support -- they are not paid missionaries of the Episcopal Church -- the program offers wide opportunity for parish and diocesan involvement in working partnerships. Along with its original international scope, the office has taken on domestic projects and hundreds of volunteers have shared in the work since its inception.
In addition to supervising recruitment, training, logistics and contractual support for the volunteers and projects, Smith will be charged with strengthening educational programs and diocesan ties that have grown up through the Venture in Mission support given to the work.
A native of Los Angeles, Smith graduated from the University of Southern California and Nashotah House. He has done additional study at Syracuse University in foreign affairs and holds a journalism degree from the University of California. He served inner-city parishes in San Diego and Los Angeles for 10 years before going to Chicago in 1976 as canon to the ordinary for metropolitan affairs.
The Rev. Page Bigelow, who has served as consultant to the program since it became operational in 1978, will remain in that role for some months to come.