College Ministry
Welcome to the Department of College Ministry! College Ministry keeps young Antiochian Orthodox students close to the life of the Church after they leave their home parish to attend college. In support of pan-Orthodoxy, much departmental energy is channeled into the more overarching Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF)—a campus group for Orthodox college students from all jurisdictions. Nevertheless, the College Ministry believes in staying personally connected to students who come from Antiochian Orthodox parishes. It is therefore crucial for our ministry for each parish to kindly send us the contact information for all of their young parishioners who enroll in college each year. Only by keeping our database complete and up-to-date can College Ministry effectively promote OCF events and keep in touch with students through care packages and e-newsletters.
College Student Database
The Antiochian Archdiocese Department of College Ministry in cooperation with the Department of Internet Ministry is pleased to announce that we now have an easy access online form to submit contact information for college students. The Department of College Ministry is charged with the ministry of keeping students connected to the Church. This is done in several different ways: a monthly e-newsletter entitled Word-Up, periodic emails from our diocesan student representatives regarding upcoming events for college students in the diocese, and a small gift from the NASB and the Fellowship of St John the Divine in December, among other things. We welcome students, parents, parish priests, youth directors, Teen SOYO advisors, Sunday School superintendents, godparents, etc to submit the contact information of Antiochian Orthodox college students by clicking here!
North American Student Board
Chair: Leigh Cohlmia
Diocese of Toledo Representative: John Abud
Diocese of Miami Representative: Stephanie Baker
Diocese of Los Angeles Representative: Amanda Haddad
Dioceses of Charleston & Oakland Representative: Kristina Kachur
New York & Washington Representative: Kristina Kachur
Diocese of Wichita Representative: Grace Saad
Diocese of Worcester Representative: Rachael Sabbag
Diocese of Ottawa Representative: Samantha Michael
Director: V. Rev. Anthony Yazge
NASB Lay Advisor: Kathy Abraham
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Click on our Archive to view our E-Newsletter, Word Up
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Join our Word Up (E-Newsletter) mailing list for the school year by clicking here!
Audio Available of Department of College Ministry Presentation at Archdiocese Convention
Click here to listen to the presentation from Ms. Cathy Abraham at the general assembly of the 2009 Archdiocese Convention.
More audio from the 2009 Convention is available from Ancient Faith Radio.
Real Break trip to Constantinople
Read daily progress reports here.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship) is pleased to announce another Real Break trip to Constantinople. Real Break Constantinople serves God and other people while participating in the life of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. His Grace Bishop SAVAS, the newly appointed Director of Church and Society of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, will lead the group assisted by the Rev. Mark Leondis the National Youth Director for the GOA and Chairman of the Board of Orthodox Christian Fellowship and the Rev. Dr. Christopher T. Metropulos the Executive Director of OCN (The Orthodox Christian Network) and the Pastor of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The Real Break Trip to Istanbul, Turkey begins on March 14, 2009.
The group consists of 22 participants from five different Orthodox Christian jurisdictions. The college students from around the country are traveling to Constantinople to receive the blessings of His All Holiness and refurbish a church and a cemetery that has fallen into disrepair. Fr. Kevin Scherer, Executive Director of OCF commented, "OCF is honored to have the opportunity to assist the Ecumenical Patriarch in his efforts to restore and maintain the parishes of his ancient see. This Real Break trip in particular provides our students with a transformative perspective into both the past and the present struggles of our Church. The participants will work hard in a very short span of time."
Orthodox Christian Fellowship Launches New Web Site
Fishers, IN – March 6, 2009
Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) has designed and created a brand new website, www.ocf.net, using the very latest technology to connect with the world's most powerful social networking engine known as Facebook. OCF is one of the first websites to utilize the new technology called Facebook Connect. Facebook Connect allows external networks such as OCF.net to gain access and share information. This new website connects every local OCF chapter in North America, and establishes an online community for each of our students without competing with Facebook. The website allows the individual user to interact with one another and each of our programs in a very dynamic way. Students can upload and download media, blog, view podcasts and provide regular feedback and commentary. Clergy, youth workers and parents can find articles and curriculum. It provides our ministry an excellent platform for community and communication. Visit us today at www.ocf.net!
University of Illinois Orthodox Christian Student Living Center
Imagine a college dormitory with icons on the walls, incense lingering in the air, and the sounds of studying, prayer, and fellowship alike. Such a place exists!
At the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, the Orthodox Christian Student Living Center provides such an on-campus home away from home. Open since 2004, the first such Center in North America has hosted dozens of students as residents and as a meeting place for members of the local OCF. For more details and contact info please visit http://www.orthodoxalumni.com/ .
This particular form of campus ministry is one that we envision spreading to *all* college campuses. The Center does face challenges, but with God's grace and the prayerful support and donations of the faithful, this ministry endures and grows. Would you please consider lending your support so that we may help plant seeds of future Orthodox residences? Especially, please inform all high school seniors and UIUC students you know that this opportunity is available to them. The board of directors of the Orthodox Christian Alumni Association thanks you.
