UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
CONSISTORY OFFICE OF YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
PRESS RELEASE

Mommy and Me / Daddy and Me 2012

The Mommy and Me/ Daddy and Me encampment was once again blessed with a “full house” for the 2012 season. Twenty two families from Virginia to Ontario joined us for a week of faith and family togetherness focused around the theme, “Fruit of the Spirit.”

Families arrived on Monday afternoon and began the week with Small Compline and dinner. While the parents had a brief orientation and introductory session, the children were introduced to the theme by making bracelets and fruit shaped name tags.

On Tuesday morning, families took part in our annual prayer trail walk. The children followed maps of the trail, learning how the saints at each stop exemplified the Fruit of the Spirit they would learn about through the rest of the week. When we returned from the hike, the children focused on three of the fruits, love, kindness, and goodness. For each fruit, the children made bookmarks to place in their Divine Liturgy prayer books where the fruit is mentioned. For example, the bookmark for love reminds the children of the priest or deacons call to “love one another so that with one mind we may confess” and profess our faith in unity.

On Wednesday and Thursday the children continued to learn about the remaining six fruits of the Spirit joy, patience, self control, gentleness, peace, and faithfulness during the church school classes. The parents participated in two workshops provided by Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak, Director of Alumni and Recruitment for St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. His workshops focused on a parent’s role in instilling and nurturing the Fruit of the Spirit in our children.

After pool time and rest in the afternoons, families reconvened in prayer at the St. Thomas Chapel, followed by dinner. Each evening, families participated in activities such as campfires, a family craft, and the parents’ night out. Two new additions to our evening events were DCSC Night and the Fruit of the Spirit saints “Walk of Fame.” On Wednesday evening, our graduating campers spent a few hours with Diocesan Church School Camp staff and campers to learn a little bit about the next stage in their camping “careers.” They made crafts, played games and got a chance to see what camp is like without parents for a few hours. On the Fruit of the Spirit “Walk of Fame,” the children got to meet saints whose lives exemplify the Fruit of the Spirit, matching each saint to their “fruit” and learning about the choices they made in their lives.

Our week ended on Friday with Divine Liturgy and short program demonstrating what the children had learned throughout the week. If you would like more information about MMDM please contact the Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry at uocyouth@aol.com or www.uocyouth.org.