2005 Orthodox Christian Fellowship College Conference December 27-31st, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday,  October 14, 2005
Orthodox Christian Fellowship
P.O. Box  249
Boston, MA 02130
Contact: Veronica  Stavila   
Program  Coordinator
1-800-919-1623   
www.ocf.net

2005 Orthodox Christian  Fellowship College Conference
December 27-31st, 2005
 
Boston, MA - Orthodox Christian  Fellowship (OCF) is announcing its annual College Conferences to be held  December 27th-31st at Antiochian Village in Bolivar, PA and St. Nicholas Ranch  in Dunlap, CA. Over the past ten years thousands of college students, high  school graduates, and young adults have gathered for the 5-day events sponsored  by OCF, the official campus ministry effort of the Standing Conference of  Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA).
 
Over five days, participants  attend workshops, engage in humanitarian work, and most importantly, enjoy the  fellowship of other Orthodox Christians. Their time spent at the conferences, as  one student put it, “fortifies their faith.” This intense experience brings  Christ into focus as a new year begins. The College Conference features popular  keynote speakers, exciting workshop topics pertaining to relevant young adult  issues and struggles, as well as fun evening activities. This year’s theme is  “Abide in Me, and I in you” John 15: 4-5. OCF is honored to offer two  distinguished and dynamic keynote speakers: Fr. Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus of  Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, at the East Coast conference and Rev. Hieromonk Jonah  Paffhausen, Abott of the Monastery of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco,  for the West Coast conference.
 
The College Conference has  become powerful influences in the spiritual lives of Orthodox Christian young  adults. Gina Johnstone, a graduate of UCLA and member of their OCF group,  shares, “My friends and I are always sad when the conference ends because we  know it will be an entire year before we’ll see some of our friends again and  receive the wonderful spiritual nurturing. One of my good friends told me after  last year’s conference that the conferences renew her faith for another year. I  can’t wait to renew my faith this year!”
 
 These conferences, which are  planned and run by college students who are members of OCF groups, aim to  promote unity among Orthodox young adults and to rejuvenate their faith as they  continue on their personal journey to salvation. OCF Program Director Joseph J.  Samra remarked, “These conferences have become a vital part of so many young  adults lives; they become re-energized in spirit and in their faith.” The cost of attending is $200, which includes registration, room, and board. There are  scholarships available on a first come, first serve basis. 
 
For more information or to  register for the OCF College Conference, go to http://www.ocf.net. Interested participants can  apply directly online or download and mail their registration.
 
OCF is the official campus  ministry effort of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the  Americas (SCOBA). It is a Pan-Orthodox effort, overseen by an Executive  Committee and aided by a fifteen person Student Advisory Board. The office is  located in Boston, MA, where a full time staff develops OCF programs and  resources.