FOCA generosity makes three OCA summer youth internships possible

SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] — Through a generous $9,000.00 grant provided by the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America [FOCA], three OCA seminarians will participate in internships with the Department of Youth, Young Adult and Campus Minsitry during the summer of 2006.

“The summer internship provides seminarians interested in youth ministry with an incompareable opportunity to put into practice knowledge gained in their seminary studies,” said Deacon Joseph Matusiak, department member.
“Through the FOCA’s generosity, the department will engage three interns—the most it’s ever had.”

Two of the three seminarians will undertake their internships at OCA camps and youth rallies across the US and Canada, sharing their expereiences, helping to network the camps, and exchanging and sharing themes, methodology, and camping curricula. The third intern will develop materials for the youth theme selected by the Holy Synod of Bishops for 2006-2007—“Defenders of the Faith”—and develop resources and articles for the department web site at yya.oca.org and for “The Orthodox Church” news magazine.

This year’s interns are Ms. Becky Machnee, Ms. Olga Beltchikova, and Mr, Stephan Sollogoub, all of whom are students at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Crestwood, NY.

“Each intern brings to the position a wealth of youth ministry experience on the parish, national, and international levels and will be make a positive impact on the camps in which they will participate,” Deacon Joseph added.
“The department is deeply grateful for the FOCA’s vision and commitment in providing the resources to make the internship program possible.”

Stephan Sollogoub will participate in Saint Arseny Camp in British Columbia, Saint Vladimir Camp and the FOCA Junior Olympics in Ohio, and Saint John Camp in Indiana. Olga Beltchikova will participate in the Chicago Deanery Camp in Wisconsin, Saint Vladimir Camp and the FOCA Junior Olympics Camp in Ohio, Saint John Camp in Indiana, and Saint Paul Camp in Mt Charleston, NV.

Photo galleries and reports from the interns will be posted on the OCA web site at http://www.oca.org and the OCA youth site at yya.oca.org.