OCA youth department, NY/NJ Diocese to host ministry workshop August 18
On Saturday, August 18, 2012, the Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministries will partner with the Diocese of New York and New Jersey to present a workshop at Holy Trinity Church here.
Titled “The Fields are White for Harvest: Welcome to College Ministry,” the workshop will focus on practical aspects of campus ministry. Presentations will run from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. with a short break for lunch.
There is no cost associated with attendance and all are welcome. To register — the deadline is August 8 — please contact Deacon John Diamantis at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 347-624-0480.
“So often, we speak of our young adults as ‘the future of the Church,’” said Archpriest Joseph Lickwar, Chancellor of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey. “But indeed, the time to reach them is not in the future… it is now. We need to claim them for Christ before the world claims them for itself. And these energetic young leaders stand ready to show us how.”
The workshop will feature four presentations by three presenters.
Deacon John Diamantis of the New York and New Jersey Diocese’s Campus Ministry Department will speak on “Effects of Campus Ministry in a Parish” and “How to Start an OCF.” He brings with him experience as a former president of Penn State’s OCF Chapter and as an active campus evangelist. Michael Andrzejewski, a member of All Saints Church, Hartford, CT and former president of the University of Connecticut’s OCF chapter, will speak on “The Impact of Campus Ministry on College Students,” sharing his personal journey in faith through his college experience. Andrew Boyd, recently appointed OCA Director of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries, will speak on “Challenges and Strategies in Ministering to Today’s College Students.” All three presenters have experience “in the trenches” of campus ministry and are excited to share the lessons they have learned in their work.
“I am so grateful to God for His Grace, Bishop Michael, for Father Joseph, and for Deacon John, in having the initiative to organize this workshop,” said Mr. Boyd. “I am excited to gather with brothers and sisters in Christ, and to share with them the successes and failures that I’ve experienced in my own ministry efforts as well as new resources we are developing to help parishes start and maintain effective campus ministry programs. This collaboration between our national Department and a local diocese, represents a model I hope we can export to other locations and settings.”
Other dioceses, deaneries, or parishes interested in hosting a similar event may contact Mr. Boyd at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).