OCF News & Events

January 2012 Headliner Newsletter Released

2012-01-24T20:26:00Z

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

“Keeping our College Students Connected to the Church”

January 2012 Issue of Headliner Newsletter Released

Brookline, MA – January 24, 2012 - The January 2012 issue of The Headliner, the monthly online newsletter of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) has been released.

Click Here To Read The January 2012 Headliner

View Past Issues of The Headliner

WCC NEWS: Apply now: Stewards Programme 2012

2012-01-17T16:09:00Z

BROOKLINE, MA - The North American Office has received the following information from the World Council of Churches, that may be of interest to Orthodox College Students.

Young Christians from around the world are invited to apply to the WCC Stewards Programme for a hands-on learning experience at the WCC Central Committee meeting, 23 August – 7 September 2012, in Crete, Greece. Applicants must be between the age of 18-30 years.

During the meetings stewards will work in the areas of worship, conference room, documentation, press office, sound, and other administrative and support tasks.

The Central Committee of the World Council of Churches meets every 18 months to monitor and set directions to the Council's work. The meeting brings together about 150 church representatives, advisers and observers from WCC member churches and associated organizations worldwide. Twenty-five stewards will help to make this event happen.

Before the meetings, stewards follow an ecumenical learning programme which exposes them to the key issues of the ecumenical movement worldwide. The last phase of the stewards programme, following the meeting, focuses on designing ecumenical projects which stewards will implement back home.

Being a steward means hard work, but it is also a unique ecumenical experience of togetherness with young people from different churches, countries and cultures.

Applicants are invited to send in the completed application form to the WCC youth desk no later than 15 March 2012.

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An The The World Council of Churches is an ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, from the [Lutheran] Church of Norway. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

More information on the WCC stewards programme

Download the information brochure (pdf, 400 KB)

Download the application form as pdf (150 KB) or as MS Word document (80 KB)

OCF Board of Directors Holds Fall Meeting

2011-12-22T21:44:00Z

Brookline, MA -- The Orthodox Christian Fellowship [OCF] Board of Directors held its fall meeting December 1-2, 2011, at its new North American Office, headquartered at Hellenic College here.

A major focus of the meeting was a proposed restructuring of the chaplain and student leadership structure of OCF. OCF’s North American Chaplain, Father Michael Nasser explained, “Recognizing a need for enhanced communication and support between the local chapters of OCF and the North American Office, we are developing a new tiered structure that will facilitate a more effective ministry to college students. The new vision utilizes students, clergy chaplains, lay coordinators, and college faculty on district and regional levels to implement OCF resources and programs, which in turn will strengthen the efforts of the local chapters.”

With the full support of the Board, Father Michael and the OCF staff will continue to gather input on this comprehensive design by hosting several informational meetings in the coming months, with the hope of piloting the model in September 2012.

In the process of reevaluating OCF’s organizational framework and the Board’s exploration of new administrative structures, Executive Director, Jennifer Nahas and North Carolina Triangle Director, John Stonestreet completed a comprehensive review of OCF’s activities in the region. Ultimately, it was decided to suspend the specialized NC Triangle program. However, local chapters will continue to function in the area. Mr. Stonestreet has been a faithful servant to campus ministry, and we thank him for his years of dedication to the college students of the NC Triangle.

The board enthusiastically approved the development of an OCF Alumni Network. This new effort, spearheaded by Michael Andrzejewski, a 2011 OCF graduate from the University of Connecticut, will investigate ways for OCF alumni to support campus ministry. The Alumni Network will begin its work in early 2012.

Father Mark Leondis, OCF Board Chairman, thanked the students, staff and board members for their tireless work. He remarked, “OCF’s stability as an organization is a direct result of the efforts of its students, clergy, and lay leaders, and we look forward to growing our Board in order to continue serving the needs of Orthodox college students.”

Board nominations are currently open and recommendations for membership should be directed to the North American Office.

Orthodox Christian Fellowship is the official collegiate campus ministry program under the North American Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops. Its mission is to support fellowships on college campuses, whose members experience and witness to the Orthodox Christian Church through community life, prayer, service to others and study of the Faith. Its headquarters is located in Brookline, Mass. and supports more than 300 local university chapters across North America. In addition, it provides a variety of thoughtful and innovative programming, including regional training, annual conferences, and domestic and international service learning programs.

Registration For 2012 Real Break Trips Opens Today at 3 PM

2011-12-22T09:26:00Z

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

“Keeping our College Students Connected to the Church”

Registration For 2012 Real Break Trips Opens Today

Brookline, MA – Dec. 21, 2011 Registration for Orthodox Christian Fellowship's (OCF) 2012 Real Break trips opens today at 3 p.m. EST at www.ocf.net/realbreak!

Entering its 11th year, OCF's Real Break continues to offer transformative, priest-led trips, both domestically and internationally. This year, trips have been organized throughout the months of February and March 2012 to the following locations: Constantinople, Romania, Guatemala, Toronto, Project Mexico, and Houston.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of college students in North America travel during their spring break for, oftentimes, empty experiences. OCF offers annual Real Break trips as spring break alternatives that provide life-changing and spiritually edifying opportunities to do "something real."

"Caring for orphaned infants in Guatemala, building homes for the homeless in Mexico and the hurricane devastated Gulf Coast, and restoring Churches in the Holy City of Constantinople -- it doesn't get more real than this. Students are provided an opportunity to encounter Christ and His love through serving those in need

[DPZ1] ," said John Mahfouz, OCF Director of North American Programs.

Since its inception in 2001, more than 1,000 college students have taken advantage of the opportunity to spend their week long break serving others and growing in their Orthodox Christian faith.

For more details regarding OCF Real Break 2012, a fundraising guide, and to register, please visit www.ocf.net/realbreak.

February 18 - 25, 2012

Real Break - Toronto, $1,100

February 25 - March 3, 2012

Real Break - Houston, $700.00

March 2/3 - 10, 2012

Real Break - Constantinople, $2,000

Real Break - Guatemala, $1,300

March 10 - 17, 2012

Real Break - Guatemala, $1,300
Real Break - Romania, $1,600

March 17 - 24, 2012

Real Break - Project Mexico, $1,000

March 24 - 31, 2012

Real Break - Houston II, $700.00

December 2011 Headliner Newsletter Released

2011-12-19T09:45:00Z

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

“Keeping our College Students Connected to the Church”

December 2011 Issue of Headliner Newsletter Released

Brookline, MA – December 19, 2011 - The December 2011 issue of The Headliner, the monthly online newsletter of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) has been released.

Click Here to Read December Headliner

View Past Issues of The Headliner

Early Bird Registration Extended/Conference Speakers Announced

2011-12-16T16:17:00Z

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

“Keeping our College Students Connected to the Church”

Early Bird Registration Extended/Conference Speakers Announced

Brookline, MA – December 15, 2011

The Early Bird Registration Deadline with discounted registration fee has been extended to Dec 20, 2011. All who have not yet registered are urged to register now.

In related news, the complete list of College Conference presenters and workshop speakers has also been released today. The following are the list of speakers for each conference:

East:
Keynote: Bishop Michael Dahulich
Workshop Speakers:
Fr. Antony Bahou
Fr. Mefodii
Fr. Anthony Messeh
Sister Ignatia
Katrina Bitar
Kenneth Kidd
Niko Tzetzis

South:
Keynote: Fr. Michael Nasser
Workshop Speakers:
Fr. Anthony Salzman

West:
Keynote: Metropolitan Jonah Paffhausen
Workshop Speakers:
Fr. Lawrence Russell
Fr. Jason Roll
Paul Gikas
Margo Kelly

For more information and to register Click Here

Greeks, Jews and Hanukkah: A Story That Still Needs To Be Told

2011-12-07T15:31:00Z

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

“Keeping our College Students Connected to the Church”

Greeks, Jews and Hanukkah: A Story That Still Needs To Be Told

Brookline, MA – December 7, 2011

Orthodox College Students in the Greater Boston area are invited to attend a panel discussion at Hebrew College in Newton, MA featuring Jewish and Greek Orthodox Theologians on the topic Greeks, Jews and Hanukkah: A Story That Still Needs To Be Told

Come enjoy an evening of conversation, music, and food on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 6:45 p.m. at Hebrew College, 160 Herrick Rd. Newton, Massachusetts 02459

For thousands of years, the Greek and Jewish worlds have made an indelible impact on each other's history, culture, and faith.

Please join AJC Boston and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston as we explore the historic roots that bind together our peoples and examine how the encounter between Greeks and Jews transformed our world.

Panel discussion with Shaye J.D. Cohen, Littauer Professor of Hebrew Literature and Philosophy, Harvard University
and Fr. George Dragas, Professor of Patristics, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

Jewish music performed by Deiskeit, The Brandeis Klezmer Ensemble, and Greek music will also be featured.

Participants are kindly asked to RSVP by registering online: http://www.ajcboston.org/Hanukkah

Light refreshments will be served. Jewish dietary laws observed. Free parking available. T accessible.

Scholarships Are Still Available For College Conference

2011-12-06T11:50:00Z

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

“Keeping our College Students Connected to the Church”

Scholarships Are Still Available For 2011 College Conference

Brookline, MA – December 6, 2011

Scholarships are still available for the 2011 College Conferences. Interested students are urged to apply during the on-line registration process at events.ocf.net. Please note that the deadline for the early-bird discount rate is Dec 15, 2011.

The conferences will be held during Christmas Break in three locations: St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap, Calif.; Antiochian Village in Bolivar, Pa.; and the Diakonia Center in Salem, S.C., each centering on Orthodox Christian Fellowship's (OCF) theme for the year - "Raise Me Above This World's Confusion."

College Conference West

St. Nicholas Ranch - Dunlap, Calif.

December 27-30, 2011

Earlybird rate until Dec. 15: $215 - Regular: $240

Keynote speaker - Fr. Josiah Trenham, Pastor of St. Andrew Orthodox Church, Riverside, Calif.

College Conference East

Antiochian Village - Bolivar, Pa.

December 28-31, 2011

Earlybird rate until Dec. 15: $240 - Regular: $265

Keynote speaker - His Grace Bishop Michael Dahulich, Bishop of New York and the Diocese of New York & New Jersey in the Orthodox Church in America

College Conference South

Diakonia Center - Salem, S.C.

December 28-31, 2011

Earlybird rate until Dec. 15: $210 - Regular: $235

Keynote speaker - Fr. Michael Nasser, Pastor of Holy Apostles Orthodox Mission in Bowling Green, Ky.

Annually, nearly 400 college students from across North America participate in College Conference to learn and grow closer in their Orthodox Faith in an exemplary display of pan-Orthodox fellowship. Each four-day conference includes a prominent keynote speaker, along with workshops led by clergy and lay leaders who are experts in their related fields. Featured workshop topics will include Understanding Orthodoxy, Comparative Religions, Practicing Your Faith, Contemporary Issues in Orthodoxy, Dating and Personal Relationship, and Serving, defined as "Seeing God in Others."

For more information, call the North American Office at 1-800-919-1623. To register, visit events.ocf.net.

The Prayer of the Heart: Giving Birth to Christ

2011-12-05T14:39:00Z

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

“Keeping our College Students Connected to the Church”

The Prayer of the Heart: Giving Birth to Christ

Boston, MA – December 4, 2011 - An Advent gathering is being hosted on Monday Dec 12, 2011 at Annunciation Cathedral in Boston/Roxbury Crossing, MA. Following Vespers, the The Reverend Hieromonk Iakovos of Mount Athos will give a talk entitled "The Prayer of the Heart: Giving Birth to Christ" A light supper will follow in the parish hall. All students and Orthodox faithful are cordially invited to attend. The event is free and is open to the public.

Schedule: Monday, December 12, 2011
6:30 Vespers
7:00 Lecture from Fr. Iakovos and discussion to follow
8:00 Dinner in the Cathedral’s Lower Hall

Annunciation Cathedral
514 Parker Street
Boston/Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120.

The Cathedral is easily accessible for students without cars on the Green E Line that will let you off at the Museum Exit at Ruggles Street and Huntington Avenue.

RSVP at (617) 731-6633 or through email at frcleopas@gmail.com by Thursday, December 8th, so that dinner accommodation can be made.

Holy Resurrection OCF Coffee House

2011-12-04T19:01:00Z

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

“Keeping our College Students Connected to the Church”

Holy Resurrection OCF Coffee House to Be Held December 9, 2011

Allston, MA – December 4, 2011 - Hellenic College/Holy Cross OCF is sponsoring a Christmas Coffee House on Friday Dec 9, 2011 at 9:00 pm at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church 64 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA.

All OCF'RS are invited to Take a break from their studying and come out for their festive, end-of-the-semester, Christmas coffeehouse! There will be tasty holiday drinks and goodies, live Christmas and other music, and maybe even a little Christmas carol karaoke ! Admission is $2 at the door or canned good donations for the church's food pantry (there is definitely a need for food this time of year). So spread the word and come out for the event. Additional performers are needed and welcomed.

For more information please contact Sam Williams at w.sam.williams@gmail.com or visit the Holy Resurrection Coffee House Facebook Page.

November Headliner Released

2011-11-23T21:05:00Z

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

“Keeping our College Students Connected to the Church”

November 2011 Issue of Headliner Newsletter Released

Brookline, MA – November 21, 2011 - The November 2011 issue of The Headliner , the monthly online newsletter of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) has been released.

Click Here to Read November Headliner

View Past Issues of The Headliner

OCF At UMBC to Host Lecture By Dr. Gayle Woloschak

2011-11-01T22:55:00Z

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

“Keeping our College Students Connected to the Church”

OCF At UMBC to Host Lecture By Dr. Gayle Woloschak

Brookline, MA – November 1, 2011

On Monday, 14 November at 7:00pm, Orthodox Christian and world-renowned scientist Dr. Gayle Woloschak will
be speaking on the relationship between science and faith and how they affect our opinions, beliefs, and ways of thinking. This event will take place in the University of Maryland Baltimore Campus Ballroom and a followup discussion will be held on Tuesday, the 15th. For more information, please contact umbcocf@gmail.com.

Registration Now Open For 2011 College Conference

2011-10-18T01:27:00Z

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

“Keeping our College Students Connected to the Church”

Registration Now Open For 2011 College Conference

Brookline, MA – October 17, 2011

Registration for the 2011 College Conferences is now open at events.ocf.net. The conferences will be held during Christmas Break in three locations: St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap, Calif.; Antiochian Village in Bolivar, Pa.; and the Diakonia Center in Salem, S.C., each centering on Orthodox Christian Fellowship's (OCF) theme for the year - "Raise Me Above This World's Confusion."

OCF College Conference's are planned and executed by a committee of college students who desire to provide their peers with an enjoyable and edifying experience.

"College Conference is a great opportunity for college students to take time away from their busy academic and social lives and concentrate on developing their spiritual lives by learning from clergymen and great speakers, and by engaging with other Orthodox students from across the country. This year's theme, 'Raise Me Above This World's Confusion,' encourages discussion of how to live in today's society while living an Orthodox life," says Tanya Schillawski, College Conference East Coordinator and sophomore at Northeastern University.

"Following Christ's example of taking time to retreat, OCF's College Conference provides a place for Orthodox Christian college students to refresh their worn down body and soul," says John Mahfouz, Director of North American Programs. "Students spend four days being nourished in a loving community through edifying lectures and discussions, Church services, and exciting activities."

A limited number of scholarships are available and offered, by each jurisdiction on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, call the North American Office at 1-800-919-1623. To register, visit events.ocf.net.

College Conference West

St. Nicholas Ranch - Dunlap, Calif.

December 27-30, 2011

Earlybird rate until Dec. 15: $215 - Regular: $240

Keynote speaker - Fr. Josiah Trenham, Pastor of St. Andrew Orthodox Church, Riverside, Calif.

College Conference East

Antiochian Village - Bolivar, Pa.

December 28-31, 2011

Earlybird rate until Dec. 15: $240 - Regular: $265

Keynote speaker - His Grace Bishop Michael Dahulich, Bishop of New York and the Diocese of New York & New Jersey in the Orthodox Church in America

College Conference South

Diakonia Center - Salem, S.C.

December 28-31, 2011

Earlybird rate until Dec. 15: $210 - Regular: $235

Keynote speaker - Fr. Michael Nasser, Pastor of Holy Apostles Orthodox Mission in Bowling Green, Ky.

October 2011 Issue of Headliner Newsletter Released

2011-10-17T22:21:00Z

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

“Keeping our College Students Connected to the Church”

September 2011 Issue of Headliner Newsletter Released

Brookline, MA – October 17, 2011 - The October 2011 issue of The Headliner , the monthly online newsletter of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) has been released.

Click Here to Read Oct Headliner

View Past Issues of The Headliner

OCF launches October as Orthodox Awareness Month

2011-10-11T22:02:00Z

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

“Keeping our College Students Connected to the Church”

OCF Launches October as Orthodox Awareness Month

Brookline, MA – October 11, 2011

Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) presents October as Orthodox Awareness Month, an OCF effort to foster awareness of Orthodoxy and educate students on college campuses across North America.

Throughout the month of October, OCF chapters are encouraged to set up informational tables on campus, offer Orthodoxy 101 sessions, host speakers and facilitate intriguing chapter events, which feature a church service or religious discussion as well as fellowship.

"Liturgy, translated as 'the work of the people,' is not limited to the church building," says John Mahfouz, National Programs Director. "For Orthodox Christians, our call is to leave the church and continue the 'Divine Work' of bringing Christ to others; of sharing the sweetness of His love which is found in the teachings of our Holy Fathers, with those around us. For a College Student, the Liturgy continues on campus!"

Students and OCF advisers are encouraged to visit www.ocf.net in order to download the Orthodox Awareness Month Guidebook, which contains a step-by-step guide to tabling on campus, potential Orthodox 101 session topics, chapter event ideas, and OCF North American Programs, as well as the OCF logo and other resources. Also included is a packet entitled, "Presenting Orthodoxy," containing helpful facts about Orthodoxy and the answers to frequently asked questions.

For more information, call the North American Office at 1-800-919-1623 or visit ocf.net.