OYM MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
June 2025
Dear OYM Friends,I hope that summer is off to a wonderful start for you and your families. For those of us in ministry, the Feast of Holy Pentecost is a perfect opportunity to find renewed inspiration and invigoration for this important work. As Christian Gonzalez writes in this month’s ministry reflection, “The Spirit gives life, but community nurtures it.”The subject of this month’s What’s Your Ministry? profile, Jaleen Claassen, is a perfect example of this in her role as Executive Director of The Treehouse, a ministry dedicated to helping mothers and their children in Wichita, Kansas. The Treehouse’s ministry goes beyond meeting basic material needs, creating networks of support and providing ongoing resources to help their clients experience lives of dignity and the love of Christ.As always, if you have job listings, events, or other resources you’d like us to share in this newsletter, please email us at newsletters@theoym.org. We also ask that you please consider making a donation to support us in this work. Together, we can keep young people connected to their faith through stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger Church.Yours in Christ,
Dr. Christopher KrampePresident of OYM
LATEST FROM OYM
June Ministry Reflection: What Will You Do to Help Faith Flourish?
Baptisms and chrismations are wonderful events, but they are only the beginnings of new (and often) challenging journeys. As the story of Pentecost shows us, the Holy Spirit gives life — but it’s up to us as members of the community to nurture it.
What’s your Ministry? Supporting Moms, Strengthening Communities
How one Orthodox mother and educator helped shape a haven where motherhood, faith, and healing walk hand in hand.
OYM Chicagoland Ministry Support Coordinator Newsletter
Sign up for the new Ministry Support Coordinator Newsletter to get updates from Orthodox Youth & Young Adult Ministries, inspiring messages, and the latest news on what’s happening around the Chicagoland.
RESOURCES
The Pentecost Icon (Video)
During the Feast of Holy Pentecost we remember the birth of the Church, the full revelation of the Holy Trinity, and the continuing life of the Church. Learn more about this profound event through its icon in this video video from Patristix.
Holy Pentecost Lesson & Activities
Printable resources, lesson plans, activities, and helpful tips to teach children about the Feast of Pentecost.
Database of Liturgical Activities
Saint Emmelia Ministries has helpfully compiled this extensive list of recommended activities for catechizing young people throughout the liturgical year.
The Parents of Saints: St. Iakovos of Evia
The Parents of Saints series from On Orthodox Education explores the vital role parents play in nurturing the spiritual lives of their children, drawing inspiration from the examples of the parents of saints.
June Coloring Pages
Children will enjoy learning about the saints commemorated this month with free coloring pages from Sparks 4 Orthodox Kids.
Summer Camp Calendar
Help your kids grow in faith and fellowship this summer! OYDNA has compiled this helpful list of Orthodox Christian summer camps.
OPPORTUNITIES
Call for Nominations: 2025 Medal of Saint Theodora Award
The Medal of St. Theodora is an annual award recognizing strong lay leaders of various backgrounds and fields who have contributed to the work and development of the Assembly of Bishops as well as Orthodox Christian Unity in general.
Saint Emmelia Ministries Internship Program
Saint Emmelia Ministries is seeking interns help support Orthodox homeschooling families and get valuable work experience. Tasks may include website design, letter writing, audiovisual editing, and others based on interests. Deadline June 10, 2025.Applicants should email their name, age, parish, and reasons for interest to office@saintemmelia.com.
OCPM Social Media Internship
Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry is seeking a part-time Social Media Intern to work within the Development Team to further establish strong, mutually beneficial connections between OCPM and our broader audience. This position aims to foster a sense of community and help grow monetary andvoluntary resources for OCPM programs.
Byzanfest Film Festival
Byzanfest is a film festival dedicated to Eastern Orthodox Christians. Filmmakers are invited to submit short- and feature-length films as well as unproduced screenplays. Deadline June 9, 2025.
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