TRANSITIONS
Supporting and Navigating Change From High School to College
Supporting and Navigating Change From High School to College
The percentage of youth and young adults who go off to college and subsequently lose their faith is staggering. Some studies suggest up to 66% don’t attend church once they go off to school. In some cases, this is the first time they are on their own.
Despite wonderful resources for college-age students such as the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) which are designed to keep them connected with their faith on campus, there is also a vital need for local parishes to be a warm and welcoming community that supports young adults as they transition from high school to college. This is not something that happens accidentally, but requires a conscious and deliberate effort not only by students, but also by parish leadership to identify ways to connect new students in those parishes to their Church, especially when away from the comforts of home.
In this session, our speaker Fr. Timothy Hojnicki will share insights as well as lead us to look at some practical strategies that have worked in parishes for providing support to young adults during this critical time in their lives. Then, through collaborative discussion with our PANELISTS, we will uncover additional ideas and avenues for shaping this critical ministry.
Despite wonderful resources for college-age students such as the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) which are designed to keep them connected with their faith on campus, there is also a vital need for local parishes to be a warm and welcoming community that supports young adults as they transition from high school to college. This is not something that happens accidentally, but requires a conscious and deliberate effort not only by students, but also by parish leadership to identify ways to connect new students in those parishes to their Church, especially when away from the comforts of home.
In this session, our speaker Fr. Timothy Hojnicki will share insights as well as lead us to look at some practical strategies that have worked in parishes for providing support to young adults during this critical time in their lives. Then, through collaborative discussion with our PANELISTS, we will uncover additional ideas and avenues for shaping this critical ministry.
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Father Timothy Hojnicki was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware. He is a 2002 graduate from the University of Delaware, where he received his B.S. in Family & Community Services. He received his MDiv from St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in May of 2005. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in January of 2005, and in June of 2005 he was assigned to Holy Apostles Mission in Mechanicsburg, PA, where he currently serves as pastor. He has taught liturgics and homiletics at St. Tikhon’s Seminary, and given many retreats and talks over the years. He also serves as a instructor in apologetics for the St. Raphael School.
He is married to his lovely wife, Anastasia, and has four children: Nicholas, Kyra, Elijah, and Joachim. He was a participant in the 2nd conference, and looks forward to presenting at this one! |
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