Follow in the Footsteps of St. Herman and Join a Mission Team to Alaska!

OCMC

From St. Paul to Sts. Cyril and Methodios to St. Herman, Orthodox Christian tradition is full of men and women who have accepted Christ’s call to take the Faith to the ends of the earth. This summer there are two opportunities for you to follow in the footsteps of one of these missionary saints. Throughout the month of July, OCMC mission teams will be serving in Alaska, home of St. Herman the Wonderworker and evangelizer of Alaska, to continue the work he helped begin in the late 18^th century by participating in youth conferences for the Kuskokwim and Yukon Deaneries.

These teams will be working in partnership with the Diocese of Alaska to reach out to the youth and foster their growth and involvement in the Church. The camp setting enjoyed by the teams and the participating youth will incorporate lessons on the Faith, living as Orthodox in this world, a Christian understanding of social media, as well as arts and crafts, music, and sports. Youth in these rural villages have a unique need for fellowship and community.

The team serving from July 6^th to July 13^th will visit Kasigluk, which is technically two adjoining villages of Kasigluk and Akula Heights, separated by a one-mile stretch of the Johnson River, and the two villages are considered one community. Primarily a Yup’ik speaking area, even the schools are taught using a dual language method which encourages respect and use for the traditional ways of the region.

The second team will serve from July 22^nd to July 30^th in Pilot Station. First called Ankachak, Pilot Station is part of the Lower Yukon region located on the bank of the Yukon River. It is a remote village accessible only by air, water, or snowmobile. Like Kasigluk, it is also primarily inhabited by native Yup’ik people who practice a traditional subsistence lifestyle.

Engaging the youth of Alaska is a great way to sow the seeds of the Faith in future generations and to help continue Alaska’s rich Orthodox tradition. Visit www.ocmc.org, e-mail teams@ocmc.org, or call 1-877-463-6784 ext. 140 to learn more about all of the 2015 OCMC teams and apply!