HOPE is the ministry to Kindergarten through 2nd grade children of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Here at Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Cathedral in Birmingham, we have modified the program to minister to the Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Since HOPE is a ministry, the orientation and implementation of the program should reflect the Orthodox Christian Faith, Tradition and Life.
The mission and goal of the HOPE ministry at Holy Trinity-Holy Cross is to lead our children in to experiencing the Holy Orthodox Faith. By developing a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and becoming active sacramental members of the living church, our children will be equipped with tools necessary to assist them in their journey toward salvation. By laying a foundation of faith at this age, the young people will have something that will guide and strengthen them through life.
The Junior Orthodox Youth, or JOY, is the ministry to 3rd through 6th grade children of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Here at Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Cathedral in Birmingham, we have modified the program to minister to the 4th through 6th grades. Since JOY is a ministry, the orientation and implementation of the program should reflect the Orthodox Christian Faith, Tradition and Life.
The mission and goal of the JOY ministry is to lead our young people into experiencing the Holy Orthodox Faith. By developing a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and becoming active sacramental members of the living church, our young people will be equipped with tools necessary to assist them in their journey toward salvation. By laying a foundation of faith at this age, the young people will have something that will guide and strengthen them as they progress into junior high and high school.
GOYA is the Birmingham Cathedral's ministry to teenagers of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Since GOYA is a ministry, the orientation and implementation of the program should reflect the Orthodox Christian Faith, Tradition and Life.
GOYA is ministry to junior high and high school grade Orthodox Christian teenagers. Teenagers should be in seventh through twelfth grades to participate. Here at Holy Trinity-Holy Cross, we have modified the program to minister to the Junior High and Senior High age group. These two groups are: JR. GOYA and GOYA.
MISSION AND GOAL OF GOYA
The Youth & Young Adult Ministry Department's mission and goal of the GOYA ministry here at Holy Trinity-Holy Cross is to lead our young people into experiencing the Holy Orthodox Faith. By developing a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and becoming active sacramental members of the living Church, our young people will be equipped with tools necessary to assist them in their journey toward salvation.
YAL - YOUNG ADULT LEAGUE
A successful Young Adult League creates a setting where Young Adults grow spiritually through experiencing the four characteristics which symbolize the YAL movement. Namely, Worship (Liturgia), Witness (Martyria), Service (Diakonia), and Fellowship (Koinonia). Using these four characteristics, Birmingham YAL will live a balanced Orthodox Christian life, growing in His likeness.
THE YOUNG ADULT LEAGUE PRAYER
Lord, as we struggle for meaning and purpose in life, guide us with Your helping hand. Teach us to be aware of God’s abiding love, and stir our concern for our fellow man. We commit to You our lives in the spirit of dedication and obedience so that we may be spiritually renewed through the teaching of our Faith and the guidance of the Greek Orthodox Church. For you are the God that loves mankind and to you we ascribe glory to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen
OCF
Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is the official campus ministry effort under SCOBA. They are a Pan-Orthodox effort, overseen by an Executive Committee and aided by an 16 person Student Advisory Board. Their office is located in Boston, MA where full time staff develops OCF. They are there to guide and support local OCF chapters through communication with the larger Orthodox Community, its National Programs, and development of resources Orthodox college students and those interested in Orthodoxy can utilize.
OCF Birmingham
OCF Birmingham is under the direction and guidance of Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral's second priest, Rev. Fr. Christopher Harner. OCF Alabama and OCF Auburn caters to the spiritual and pastoral needs of Eastern Orthodox students at the University of Alabama and the University of Auburn.
Mission
The mission of Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) 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 (Acts 2:42). Furthermore, OCF will work to nurture and strengthen love for Jesus Christ and His Church in its fullness at this most critical juncture of human life.
