Orthodox Christian Network - Share the Light Sunday 2008: A Resource Center for Orthodox Outreach

If you're a priest, parish lay leader, or just interested in helping to build an effective media outreach for Orthodoxy, now's your chance to make a difference.

You've probably heard people say that the Orthodox Church is “the best kept secret” in North America. With your help in the next few weeks, we can begin to change that.

How? On Sunday, January 20, 2008, our SCOBA hierarchs have scheduled a national event to support the growth of Orthodox media outreach. It’s called “Share the Light Sunday,” and it’s intended to raise awareness and financial support for the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN), a pan-Orthodox media ministry that is also one of the official agencies of SCOBA. As you may already know, OCN uses the power of the radio and the Internet to present our Church to mainstream America -- to reach out to everyone, Orthodox and non-Orthodox, with a message that is engaging, accessible and Christ-centered.

Here’s how you can help: Over the next few weeks, and on Share the Light Sunday itself, you can share the information on this site with the members of your parish. In the very least, you and everyone with whom you share this information can benefit spiritually by taking advantage of the Orthodox programming that OCN already offers online at MyOCN.net.

You can also make a profound difference in the life of your own parish, and that of the entire Church, by financially supporting OCN’s efforts to build a national Orthodox media presence. Who knows? You may even be able to grow the grassroots support needed to bring Come Receive the Light, the national Orthodox Christian radio program, to YOUR area!

Depending on the amount of your parish’s donation, OCN will be able to partner with your parish and provide you with various powerful tools to build your own local media outreach. All of this will be explained in more detail on this site in the coming days, so that you can:

Speak about Share the Light Sunday and OCN from the pulpit, during announcements and at other events
Include information in your bulletin, newsletter, Web site and/or parish hall
Join us in creating a national media witness of the Orthodox Church by passing a special tray during the Divine Liturgy or by organizing a special event at your parish

Time is of the essence because STL Sunday is just weeks away. Please join us in creating something truly valuable. When you do, you’ll be standing with our SCOBA bishops and thousands of Orthodox Christians from around the country in a concerted effort to build a powerful media witness for our Church. And you’ll be touching lives for Christ. Thank you!

Share the Light Sunday FAQ

What is the Orthodox Christian Network?

OCN is a pan-Orthodox media ministry, commissioned by SCOBA to create a national, sustainable and effective media witness for the Orthodox Christian Church in North America. OCN’s most famous program is Come Receive the Light, a nationally syndicated Orthodox radio show that is heard in more than 100 communities. OCN also produces two Internet radio stations, as well as customized stations for local parishes that reach people for Christ 24/7.

What is the mission of OCN?

To strengthen the Orthodox communities of North America and to share the timeless faith of Orthodoxy with the contemporary world by using modern media: radio, the Internet, podcasts, DVDs, television and more.

When is “Share the Light Sunday”?

Most parishes will be celebrating “Share the Light Sunday” on January 20, 2008, but your parish can choose a different date in January or February if necessary.

What is the purpose of “Share the Light Sunday”?

To spread the word throughout the country about OCN’s programs and mission, and to raise financial support for the growth of its national outreach programs. Any gift your parish sends to OCN will help to create something truly valuable: An effective media outreach for the Orthodox Church throughout North America. Please consider passing a special tray and/or including OCN as a line-item in your parish’s budget. Together, we can reach even more people for Christ.

What about my parish? How can OCN help us?

Every parish that sends any donation will be recognized during a special radio program. Those who decide to become a “Share the Light Parish” in 2008 will also receive various benefits depending on the level of their donation to OCN.

Any gift WILL make a difference to OCN's national growth. But if you believe strongly in the importance of Orthodox outreach—if you want to start using media in your own ministry—don't let numbers intimidate you. With OCN's assistance, your parish can have its own fully customized Internet radio station for an annual gift of only $1,600, the equivalent of only $133 a month. That's less than a nice laptop, and you get a 24/7 dynamic ministry in return! OCN would design, host and program this station according to YOUR wishes, and, in addition to our nationally syndicated programs, it could feature all kinds of content from YOUR OWN parish, including sermons, weekly announcements, broadcasts of your worship services—and more! Just think about it: If your parish has 100 families, all you would need for the entire year is $16 per family.

Take advantage of this cutting-edge opportunity to stay in regular contact with your parishioners, the Orthodox world—and to reach out to your own local community! Share the Light Sunday is the perfect time to begin.

How can my parish participate in “Share the Light Sunday”?

You can pray for God’s continued blessings on OCN’s outreach ministries.
You can share the information in this packet with your parishioners during services and in parish publications in the weeks leading up to Share the Light Sunday.
You can hold a special collection or a special event.
You can add a gift to OCN as a line-item in your parish’s budget.
You can become a Share the Light Parish, as described above.

What are some practical steps to take in preparation for “Share the Sunday”?

Call us at 877-273-2348 with any questions or for more information.
Keep visiting the STL Sunday Resource Center, where you’ll find more information, including special downloads and ads.
Form a committee of three or four people to coordinate the event.
Have the committee chair announce STL Sunday for two weeks beforehand.
Place ads for OCN and STL Sunday in your parish publications.
Watch for an Encyclical from our SCOBA Hierarchs for “Share the Light Sunday.” You can read this message at the end of your service before you pass a special tray.
As the tray is passed, remind the faithful that we creating something truly valuable – a national media outreach for Orthodoxy throughout North America.
Get your youth group or Sunday School involved in Share the Light Sunday. OCN can produce a special radio segment with your parish’s teens. Young people are being heavily influenced by media – and now they have Orthodox alternatives!
Consider becoming a “Share the Light Parish.” When you do, your parish will be taking a special stand. You’ll be expressing your commitment to Orthodox outreach here at home. “Share the Light Parishes” with 150 families or more send an annual gift of at least $1,200. Parishes of less than 150 families send a gift of at least $4 per family.
Every parish that becomes a “Share the Light Parish” will receive a CD album with a year’s worth of Come Receive the Light programs. This will start an excellent audio library for your church’s educational efforts. You’ll be able to share interviews with Orthodox theologians like Met. Kallistos Ware, Fr. Stanley Harakas, Fr. Thomas Hopko and others.
Check back at this site for more information about how OCN can help your parish build its own media ministry, especially for our about-to-be-released page entitled “Your Parish Can Have Its Own Orthodox Internet Radio Station.” Call us to find out how your parish’s gift of $1,600 would create a powerful online “meeting place” for your parishioners and community.

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