Applications for the 2018-2019 Student Leadership Board are now open!
Every year, OCF is led by a team of talented students who take on leadership positions in Orthodox campus ministry. The Student Leadership Board works with staff and clergy volunteers to plan and implement the programs of OCF, advise and inspire their peers on campuses, and develop new resources and programs for Orthodox college students. We are looking for applicants for all positions for the 2018-2019 Student Leadership Board.
As part of their training, SLB members will attend OCF’s Summer Leadership Institute free of charge! SLB members will also get priority registration for College Conference and Real Break. Answer the call to serve Jesus Christ, and apply to be part of this incredible team.
Our newest “There’s a Saint for That” guide features St. Moses of Ethiopia. We hope you take some time to get to know him this Lenten season as he can be a great help in our struggle to repent.
Hear from Boise State University co-presidents Kayla and Mercedes what they’re doing with their chapter. They have some great ideas for a Christ-centered ministry on your campus.
BROOKLINE, MA — Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), the official campus ministry of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops, is pleased to announce the overwhelming success of its recent #GivingTuesday campaign to raise awareness and support for this essential ministry to college students.
More than 150 donors, including almost 40 current students, contributed to OCF’s #GivingTuesday campaign this past November and December. Together, they raised $17,321, which was then matched by an anonymous donor for a total of $34,642. These funds help to support the many regional retreats and district events OCF hosts each semester. This semester, there are already sixteen events scheduled for students across all nine OCF regions. You can see which events are open for registration by visiting www.ocf.net/events.
As part of the #GivingTuesday campaign, OCF also held a contest encouraging students to spread the word about the ministry they love and inspiring others to donate. Three $1,000 scholarships were sponsored by an anonymous donor and awarded to the three students who brought in the most number of donors: Alexandra Benc (James Madison University), Nicole Petrow (Creighton University), and Rhea Sullivan (Pennsylvania State University).
OCF is grateful for all those who supported the 2017 #GivingTuesday campaign. If you would like to make a one-time or recurring contribution to OCF, please visit www.ocf.net/donate. You can learn more about the ongoing work of this vital ministry by visiting www.ocf.net or emailing info@ocf.net.
Registration is now open for those interested in serving as counselors for the Youth Program of the 19th All-American Council (AAC), which will convene in St. Louis, MO, July 23-27, 2018.
The Orthodox Church in America’s All-American Council brings together the clergy and faithful to discuss and reflect on the needs of the church. The AAC also includes a vibrant and dynamic Youth Program which brings together hundreds of young people from across North America for a week of worship, fellowship, educational, and service activities.
Those OCF leaders and members who are interested in serving as counselors can apply online. Early application is encouraged, as the number of counselor slots is limited. The deadline for volunteer registration is January 1, 2018.
Ideal candidates with preferred skill sets for counselors include, but are not limited to:
Teaching experience (elementary – high school levels)
Junior or senior camp counselor roles
Working with youth (ages 5-17)
Familiarity with Church music (singing, directing, chanting, or reading)
Experience as altar server, sub-deacon or sacristan
Experience with the liturgical arts (iconography and music)
Video/Photography and relate computer experience
Lifeguard certification
CPR training
Experience as a nurse or nurse practitioner
Proficiency in languages other than English
Information about the Youth Program and the application process is available here. All volunteers will complete a three-stage review process before their final selection is confirmed.
A chapter is getting started for the Worcester, MA Area schools: College of the Holy Cross, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Becker College, Clark University, Worcester State University, and Quinsigamond Community College! Contact Nicholas at livingston.stspyridon@gmail.com to get involved!
“On the Waves” is back with our new Podcast Assistant Student, Nathan Jekel. This year he’ll be spending time with OCF alumni Maria McClatchey and Andrew Abboud discussing topics related to everyday college life. Today, they talk about what it means to be “on the waves” and what it means for our Christian lives. They also give a preview of this year’s topics, and ask for your ideas, too! You can email Nathan at podasststudent@ocf.net with your questions and comments.
Our newest “There’s a Saint for That” guide features St. Maria of Paris upon whom we can call for the courage to do the right thing, especially when faced with the prospect of persecution or rejection. We hope you take some time to get to know her.
BROOKLINE, MA — Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), the official collegiate campus ministry program under the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, is partnering with the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), the official missions agency of the Assembly, to offer students an opportunity to serve in Albania on a new Real Break initiative.
Trip participantswill partake in a conference for young adults from throughout Albania, hosted and planned by OCMC missionaries and Albanian youth leaders. They will experience the transformation that Christ brings to the lives of young people who are hungry for a relationship with Him through His Church.
The 2018 Real Break trip to Albania will take part in an event that draws college students and young adults together from throughout Albania to engage them and connect them with the Orthodox Church of Albania and its Youth Office. The Team will also offer outreach at the University of Tirana to bring an awareness of Christianity and the programs of the Church in Albania. Members will visit various ministries of the Church and witness the Orthodox Faith as part of the annual evangelistic outreach sponsored by OCMC and the Church in Albania. OCMC long-term missionaries Dn. Stephanos Ritsi and Dkn. Alexandria Ritsi will lead the Team. The goal of the OCMC/OCF Real Break trip is to foster a love for outreach and develop a lifelong thirst for missions among college students.
Registration is now open and space is limited. To secure a spot, an interested participant must register online at www.ocf.net/real-break-2018 with a $200.00 deposit.
OCF transforms the lives of college students in the United States and Canada by guiding them along the path to Jesus Christ through His Church, cultivating a campus community of worship, witness, service, fellowship and education. OCMC’s mission is to make disciples of all nations by bringing people to Christ and His Church so that all people may come to know the saving love of our Lord: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Applications for the 2018-2019 Student Leadership Board are now open!
Registration is now open for those interested in serving as counselors for the Youth Program of the 19th All-American Council (AAC), which will convene in St. Louis, MO, July 23-27, 2018.
