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Introduction
Youth in the Church in
Youth are a vital and inherent part of the Church's present, not just of its
future. The Jr. Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in
As a missionary Church, the Church in
The Jr. FOCA exists as a Church-wide youth movement whose purpose is to address
this need. Its main mission is to build and strengthen relationships among the
Orthodox youth through its many projects and programs, while witnessing to the
Orthodox Christian Faith. Some activities are done on a local level in
conjunction with Orthodox youth across
Overview
What is the Junior Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in
The Jr. FOCA is the youth component of the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in
What is our mission?
Our mission is to build and strengthen relationships between the Orthodox youth
and Christ and His Church through fellowship, education, worship and service.
What do we, as an organization, hope to accomplish?
1.
To
foster the ongoing spiritual growth of young people.
2.
To
foster the continual integration of young people into the life and ministry of
the Church.
3.
To
gather the Orthodox Christian youth together for friendship, service to others,
and growth in faith.
4.
To
encourage its members to learn, practice, uphold, and communicate the Orthodox
Christian Faith.
5.
To
support and work for the strengthening of the Orthodox Church in
6.
To
strengthen spiritual and social bonds with other Orthodox youth.
7.
To
contribute toward the development of healthy community life among Orthodox
Christians.
8.
To
foster the desire to continue serving the Church as adult members of the
Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in
What are our general policies?
As the youth component of the FOCA and a youth organization of the Orthodox
Church in
1.
To
live in accordance with the teachings of the Orthodox Christian Faith.
2.
To
work in harmony and cooperation with the parish priest, his assistants, and
other leaders of the community.
3.
To
work toward developing and maintaining friendly and fraternal relations with
other organizations whose aims, policies, and activities are similar to the Jr.
FOCA.
4.
To
take interest in and have an active part in the life of the local community
both inside and outside the parish.
5.
To
provide Orthodox Christian fellowship among the
Orthodox youth.
6.
To
provide Orthodox Christian education among the
Orthodox youth.
7.
To
provide Orthodox Christian worship among the Orthodox
youth.
8.
To
provide opportunities for service to others by the
Orthodox youth.
Our motto
The motto of the Junior Fellowship of Orthodox
Christians in
"Pray, Study, Work and be Temperate (be Self-controlled)."
North American Programs
NATIONAL JUNIOR SUMMER SPORTS TOURNAMENT (NJSST) CAMP
-- Held at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Youth Camp in northeast Ohio, this one-week
summer program gathers Orthodox young people, ages 10-17, for a week of fun,
competition in events including softball, basketball, soccer, as well as more
"wacky" items.
SHARING THE LIGHT OF ORTHODOXY -- Each spring, Jr.
FOCA chapters decide on a way that they as a group can witness to their Faith
by helping others. This project originated as a fund-raiser to help mission
communities throughout
CHRISTMAS STOCKING PROJECT -- Organized by the OCA's Office of Humanitarian Aid, every fall the Jr. FOCA
raises funds so that disadvantaged Orthodox children in places such as
BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT -- As one of its largest events,
each spring after Pascha, the FOCA runs a Basketball
tournament for all its members aged 10 through adult in a different part of the
country. Male and female teams of every athletic ability gather to compete and
(more importantly) to come together in fellowship over a weekend that includes
games, Saturday evening services, Sunday Divine Liturgy, as well as a fun
dinner and dance. For information about participating, contact the FOCA
Administrative Office for copies of the Sports Rules as well as the contact
information of the event coordinator(s).
BOWLING TOURNAMENT -- Each spring the FOCA gathers all
its members (young and old) who like to bowl for a weekend of competition,
fellowship, and worship. Individuals who do not have a team are placed on
"ad-hoc" teams so that everyone who wants to can participate. Contact
the National Administrative Office for information.
SUMMER SPORTS TOURNAMENT -- Each June the golfers of
the FOCA gather for this weekend event. Discussion is currently taking place to
include other summer sports such as volleyball, softball, etc. Contact the
National Administrative Office and check the FOCA's
official publication, the Orthodox Christian Journal, for more information.
GRADUATION GIFT PACKETS -- Each year the FOCA sends
packets with Orthodox items (a small icon, prayerbook,
etc.) to high school and college graduates whose name and addresses are
submitted during the spring and summer. Graduates do not have to be members of
the FOCA to receive a packet. Contact the FOCA Administrative Office about
where to send the list of names and addresses.
SCHOLARSHIPS -- Every year the FOCA offers a number of
$1,000-$1,500 scholarships for high school graduates who are continuing their
education beyond high school. To be eligible, applicants must be members of the
FOCA or Jr. FOCA for one full year, have a minimum grade point average of 2.25,
and submit their applications by March 31 of each year.
CHECK-LIST FOR STARTING A LOCAL JR
FOCA GROUP
1.
Gather
5 or more youths (ages 10-17) who want to form a chapter.
2.
Receive
the blessing of the parish priest to form a chapter within the parish to
include ALL THE YOUTH OF AN APPROPRIATE AGE.
3.
Obtain
two adults over 21 to serve as advisors. They can function either as co-advisors,
or as advisor and assistant advisor.
4.
Write
a letter to the National Executive Board requesting a chapter. This letter must
indicate that the above has been obtained and includes the names, addresses,
phone numbers, e-mail addresses, birthdays and name days of the potential
members and advisors.
The National
Executive Board will review the request and upon approval will forward the
contact information to the National Administrative Office for inclusion in all
future mailings.
The Chairperson of the National Junior Committee will send a welcome packet to
the new chapter, including a welcome letter, a copy of the Jr
FOCA guidelines, and a copy of the "Orthodox Youth Ministry Tool
Box."
The appropriate District Advisor will contact the new chapter to fully inform
it about District activities and procedures.
New Charters will be presented at that year's National Convention.
Early each fall, the National Administrative Office will send each chapter's
advisors a listing of its known members for corrections and additions. Dues and
membership updates for the group are to be sent to the National Administrative
Office by November 30.
Hold an informational meeting for parents and interested adults.
Begin planning a regular schedule of activities based upon the group's
interests that includes opportunities for fellowship, education, worship, and
service.
For More Information Contact:
FOCA National Administrative Office
10 Downs Drive (Plains)
(570) 825-3158 (Bus)
(570) 825-0136 (FAX)
E-mail: OrthodoxFellowship@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.orthodoxfellowship.org
National Junior FOCA Coordinators
Marge Kovach
Phone: 917-887-5023
Email: mjkovach@aol.com
Fr. Benjamin Tucci
Phone:
612-599-1125
Email: frbenjamin@stmarysoca.org