BROOKLINE, MA - [Orthodox Christian Fellowship]  Registration for the 2011 College Conferences is now open at events.ocf.net. The conferences will be held during Christmas Break in three locations:  St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap, Calif.;  Antiochian Village in Bolivar, Pa.; and the  Diakonia Center in Salem, S.C., each centering on Orthodox Christian Fellowship's (OCF) theme for the year - "Raise Me Above This World's Confusion."

 

Annually, nearly 400 college students from across North America participate in College Conference to learn and grow closer in their Orthodox Faith in an exemplary display of pan-Orthodox fellowship. Each four-day conference includes a prominent keynote speaker, along with workshops led by clergy and lay leaders who are experts in their related fields.  Featured workshop topics will include Understanding Orthodoxy, Comparative Religions, Practicing Your Faith, Contemporary Issues in Orthodoxy, Dating and Personal Relationship, and Serving, defined as "Seeing God in Others."

 

OCF College Conference's are planned and executed by a committee of college students who desire to provide their peers with an enjoyable and edifying experience.

 

"College Conference is a great opportunity for college students to take time away from their busy academic and social lives and concentrate on developing their spiritual lives by learning from clergymen and great speakers, and by engaging with other Orthodox students from across the country. This year's theme, 'Raise Me Above This World's Confusion,' encourages discussion of how to live in today's society while living an Orthodox life," says Tanya Schillawski, College Conference East Coordinator and sophomore at Northeastern University.

 

"Following Christ's example of taking time to retreat, OCF's College Conference provides a place for Orthodox Christian college students to refresh their worn down body and soul," says John Mahfouz, Director of North American Programs. "Students spend four days being nourished in a loving community through edifying lectures and discussions, Church services, and exciting activities."

 

A limited number of scholarships are available and offered, by each jurisdiction on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

For more information, call the North American Office at 1-800-919-1623. To register, visit events.ocf.net.

 

College Conference West

St. Nicholas Ranch - Dunlap, Calif.

December 27-30, 2011

Earlybird rate until Dec. 15: $215 - Regular: $240

Keynote speaker - Fr. Josiah Trenham, Pastor of St. Andrew Orthodox Church, Riverside, Calif.

 

College Conference East

Antiochian Village - Bolivar, Pa.

December 28-31, 2011

Earlybird rate until Dec. 15: $240 - Regular: $265

Keynote speaker - His Grace Bishop Michael Dahulich, Bishop of New York and the Diocese of New York & New Jersey in the Orthodox Church in America

 

College Conference South

Diakonia Center - Salem, S.C.

December 28-31, 2011

Earlybird rate until Dec. 15: $210 - Regular: $235

Keynote speaker - Fr. Michael Nasser, Pastor of Holy Apostles Orthodox Mission in Bowling Green, Ky.  

 

Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is the official collegiate campus ministry program under the North American Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops. Our mission is to support fellowships on college campuses, whose members experience and witness to the Orthodox Christian Church through community life, prayer, service to others and study of the Faith. Our headquarters is located in Brookline, Mass. and supports more than 300 local university chapters across North America. In addition, we provide a variety of thoughtful and innovative programming, including regional training, annual conferences, and domestic and international service learning programs.