PC(USA) - Racial Ethnic Young Women Together


	Contact REYWT Lydia Kim Ministry Specialist for Women’s Leadership and NNPCW and REYWT (888) 728-7228 x5848

	Join REYWT’s Leadership Team! Members enjoy the 2008 REYWT Retreat in Daytona Beach, Florida, at El Caribe Resort and Conference Center. Photo used with permission. REYWT is a network of racial ethnic young women, and the 12 members of the Core team, the decision-making body of REYWT, reflect the diversity of today's church. Core develops and provide resources that promote racial ethnic young women as a more recognizable and vital group within the PC(USA). Learn more about REYWT. The team is composed of a diverse groups of racial ethnic women which includes two African American, two Asian-American, two Native American and two Middle Eastern women; two Latinas; one New Immigrant woman and one woman of non-PC(USA) ecumenical affiliation. There are currently openings for one African American, one Asian American, two Native American, and two Middle Eastern women. New members’ terms will begin in the fall of 2009 and last through 2012. New Core members serve a three-year term beginning at the fall meeting, which takes place the first weekend in November. Their responsibilities include spreading the word about REYWT to increase the number of members-at-large and to share leadership opportunities in the PC(USA); attending the fall and spring meetings, as well as attending various leadership events and participating in projects. Core members also serve as liaisons to various constituencies within the PC(USA) to provide the voice and presence of young women. Download a Core Team application. While the application deadline for the 2012 class is May 31, applications are accepted on a rolling basis. If you have any additional questions or concerns please feel free to contact either Shivonia Singleton, co-moderator for REYWT at (704) 488-4844 or Lydia Kim, ministry specialist for REWYT and NNPCW, at (502) 569-5848. Please return completed applications to Lydia Kim or fax to (502) 569-8600.

	As a Core Team member, you will have opportunities to: Connect with your sisters in the church Make your voice heard by the church on local, presbytery, synod and national levels Build relationships with denominational committees Gain hands-on experience working with the church on both the national and congregational level Discern vocational opportunities by connecting with various ministries within the church Attend conferences relevant to young adults, women and people of color


	Meet the Core Team
	Larissa Kwong Abazia Larissa Kwong Abazia –Co-Moderator Core Class 2010 Current hometown: Morrisville, Pa. Race/Ethnicity: Chinese-American What makes you laugh? Cartoons; friends and family that cheer me up Best book you have read recently: Reading Lolita in Tehran What music is meaningful to you? Classical, jazz and anything that has lyrics that speak to my mood Words you will never forget: "Remember those coming after you." email Larissa Read about Larissa’s experience with REYWT.


	Ruth-Aimee Belonni-Rosario Ruth-Aimée Belonni-Rosario – Core Member Core Class 2009 Current hometown: Elizabeth, New Jersey Race/Ethnicity: Black/Puerto Rican What makes you laugh? A baby, children playing/being happy Best book you have read recently: Things Eve Forgot To Say What music is meaningful to you? Any type of Latin/Hispanic music. I like soft music and jazz. Words you will never forget: “Yo soy” (I am) and “Te amo” (I love you) Read about Ruth-Aimee’s experience with REYWT.


	Mashadi Matabane Mashadi Matabane – Core member Core Class 2010 Current Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Race/Ethnicity: African-American What makes you laugh?Anything and everything, I have a generous sense of humor. Best book you have recently read: Girls Gone Mild by Wendy Shalit What music is meaningful to you? I absolutely enjoy all kinds of music, especially when it is live. Words you will never forget:"Be fearless or forget it!" (Norah Jones, yes, that one) email Mashadi


	Laura E. Polk Laura E. Polk – Core member Core Class 2010 Current Hometown: College Park, Md. Race/Ethnicity: Black What makes you laugh? Biting Sarcasm Best book you have recently read: The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri What music is meaningful to you? Soul music from my parents' generation Words you will never forget: "Your success in life is not determined by how popular you were in high school." -My mother email Laura


	Samatha Reyes Samatha Reyes – Co-Moderator Class of 2011 Current Hometown: Long Beach Race/Ethnicity: Mexican What makes you laugh? My youngest sister Paulina Best book you have recently read: En el tiempo de las Mariposas What music is meaningful to you? All types Words you will never forget: No hagas lo no quieras que te hagan a ti (Do unto others as you would have done to you)


	Shivonia Singleton Shivonia Singleton – Co-Moderator Core Class 2009 Current hometown: Charlotte, N.C. Race/Ethnicity: African-American What makes you laugh? My friends and most of my family members Best book you have read recently: Cane River by Lalita Tademy What music is meaningful to you? Gospel, some R&B/Hip Hop Words you will never forget: “Success is a state of mind.”


	Aline Theodoro Aline Theodoro – Core Member Class of 2011 Current Hometown: College Station/Dallas, Texas Race/Ethnicity: Brazilian/Latina What makes you laugh? Tickles, my family and my friends Best book you have recently read: The Purpose Driven life by Rick Warren What music is meaningful to you? I like all kinds of music. I like worship songs, Brazilian songs and salsa the most. Words you will never forget: "He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him." Proverbs 18:13