my faith my church my generation

Have you ever wanted to let people know what it is like to be a young adult attempting to live their faith in the 21st Century? The Consistory Offices of Young Adult Ministry and Public Relations are hoping to give you a chance to do just that. Beginning in February we will be featuring a new section on the website for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA entitled - "My Faith, My Church, My Generation". We are looking for articles, reflections, poems, short stories, video, etc... written/produced by young adults concerning their faith, their struggles, their joys, and their perspectives on all topics.

If you are interested in participating in this new endeavor, submissions may be sent to uocyouth@aol.com at any time. You will be notified if your submission will be utilized. We will strive to publish as many submissions as possible. In addition to web publication, six submissions will be chosen to be printed in the Ukrainian Orthodox Word.

We pray that you take this unique opportunity to bring your fellow young adults and all who may read your material closer to Christ.

A Reflection
by Aileen Rak of St. Peter & St. Paul
Palos Park, IL

Thru times of weakness, and even times of strength, we look to God for assistance.

We may pray for a change and see nothing amend in our plain vision.
We may be selfish and pray for things that we need at that moment.
We may throw God to the side at times because we don't believe in his doings, and his ultimate reasoning behind it.

In times of struggle, in times of weakness, in times of sadness, anytime you are in need of a blessing, remember:

" Put your faith in God's hands and he will lead you.
" Trust in him and he will grant you happiness.
" Believe and him and spread the good word, and he will be thankful.
" Stay true to the word that he has given and you will be granted eternal happiness.

And when he feels it is your time and you descend upon his house and he asks, "My child, what have you done to be granted eternal life?"

You can say with pride, "I put my life in your hands, and you lead me down the path of righteousness. I trusted in you and you granted me great happiness. I will forever and always with a whole heart believe in you. I have stayed true to your word, and your word is good. And for that, I pray, without greed, that you may grant me eternal happiness in eternal life."

God has the power to work in mysterious ways. Even if you do not believe in him, he will always and forever believe in you. Take life in God's time, for he knows when the time is right for things to fall into place.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (Matthew 7:7-8).

Would you like the opportunity to sit and speak with your bishops about issuses of life that concern you? Well, you just may have that opportunity!

The heirarchs of our church will be participating in Coffee with the Bishops gatherings in cities across the country.

If you are interested in hosting one of these events in your parish/city - contact the Office of Young Adult Ministry at uocyouth@aol.com.

A list of upcoming "coffees" will be listed in the near Future