Dear Reverend Fathers, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,  

Glory to Jesus Christ!       

With the blessing of our Hierarchs, the GLG of 2015 will benefit the refugees of the Ukraine Conflict through the Ukrainian Aid Fund of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. The Ukrainian Aid Fund was established by the Hierarchs of our archdiocese following the tragic events in February 2014 when one hundred individuals lost their lives.

This year we are asking that all youth of our church support this effort by helping to raise funds for and awareness through the Great Lent Giveaway about those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Our financial goal is to raise $3,000 for this program.

The Great Lent Giveaway(GLG) is designed to give our youth the opportunity to do good works for others during Great Lent. In addition to doing good works, they learn more about their faith and devote additional time to learning, prayer and fasting during this season of preparation for Pascha.  The GLG is a joint project with the Jr. Ukrainian Orthodox League.

We encourage you to construct a program using the full program materials, as well as your own ideas, to make the GLG more than just a fundraising effort. A program that is carried out throughout Great Lent will help the youth of your parish to more fully understand the importance and beauty of almsgiving during fasting periods. 

The full program is designed for the target ages of 11-18. However, it may easily be reworked for younger ages.  There also additional resources available on-line for all ages groups. The GLG program may be used any time throughout the year, not just during Great Lent.  Please modify it for your needs.

A new youth group session will be provided each Wednesday during Great Lent. This year's sessions will focus on:

• What is the Ukrainian Aid Fund?
• What is a Peacemaker?
• Why does God allow war?
• How may I become I Peacemaker?

You may download the organization session now at www.uocyouth.org. The organizational session includes: Great Lent Giveaway How To and  Opening Discussion: What is the Ukrainian Aid Fund, and Fundraising Ideas.  Posters are also available for download. With any questions please contact myself or Jr UOL representative Kateryna Kocelko at kdkcutie25@yahoo.com. 

Natalie Kapeluck Nixon 

"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs