RICHMOND, June 26 - What is a YAD? (Pick one.)

• A carbonated beverage
• A computer hardware component
• A young Presbyterian
• A board game

For those of you unfamiliar with the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly experience, YADs are Youth Advisory Delegates - presbytery-elected high school-and college-age commissioners who add a youthful voice and a valuable perspective to the Assembly.

This year's Assembly includes 165 YADs from the PC(USA)'s 173 presbyteries. Like their adult commissioner counterparts, YADs are assigned to committees and attend all plenary sessions. In committee, they have full "voice and vote" during deliberations. In plenary sessions they have voice, but vote in a separate YAD tally that is only advisory.

YADs also elect their own moderator, hold their own caucuses and offer prayers during plenary sessions.

During an early-morning orientation session on June 26, this year's YADs got basic instructions in navigating the Assembly - advice about transportation, how to dress, where to chow down, how to make their views known on the Assembly floor.

"I hope to learn about the polity and governance of the Presbyterian Church," said Princeton seminarian Ruth-Aimee Belonni, 23, of Puerto Rico Presbytery. She said she is also interested in how the opinions of U.S. Presbyterians differ from those of Puerto Rican Presbyterians.

Dan Murphy-Cairns, of Tucson, AZ and de Cristo Presbytery, said he is excited about learning more about the roles young Presbyterians are called to play.

"I am interested in the voice of reconciliation and respect that youth can offer the Assembly," he said. "We (youth) can disagree, but in the end we are still brothers and sisters, friend, and Presbyterians."

"Youth are often called the 'future of the church,' but we are here now," said Murphy-Cairns. "We can think theologically, and can contribute now.

Belonni added, "It is a privilege to be elected to serve Christ and the church and provide the thoughts and experiences that only we youth can bring."