JULY 2026

Welcome back to the What's Your Ministry Newsletter! This month: a look at the saints of July, a new curriculum resource, and a powerful reflection on prison ministry from OCPM's Diana Emry.

WHERE ARE WE IN THE CHURCH YEAR

FEATURED RESOURCES

THE GODPARENT PROJECT

A professionally produced 37-minute video resource explaining the sacred responsibilities of godparenting. Share it with anyone preparing to become a godparent this summer. Click here to watch.

UNDERSTANDING THE PASSIONS

A curriculum resource from OYM exploring the Orthodox understanding of the passions, how they affect our spiritual lives, and how to cultivate virtue in their place. Ideal for summer camp teaching sessions or youth group discussions. Click here for a print-friendly PDF version.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Orthodox Soccer Clinic Saturday, July 25 | Heritage Park, Wheeling, IL A free, faith-filled day on the field for the whole family, hosted by Orthodoxy Today & OYM. Children ages 5–12 will receive hands-on soccer instruction in an Orthodox Christian environment. Learn more here.

Connect Conference 2026 — Save the Date October 2–4 | Chicagoland Area (venue TBA) Connect is the pan-Orthodox conference for young adults ages 21–29. Weekend of speakers, fellowship, and genuine community drawing Orthodox Christians from across the country. Learn more at connectorthodox.org.

Removing the Veil — Fall Cohort | Virtual (worldwide) OYM's relational ministry formation course returns this fall. For parents, clergy, youth workers, and laypeople. Fill out the interest form here.

MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT

Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry: A Reflection on Faith, Forgiveness, and Encountering Christ Behind Bars

Diana Emry, Director of Programs for OCPM, didn't come to prison ministry through a program — she came through a verse. Matthew 25 sent her to write letters to people in prison long before she was Orthodox. Now she works at a national ministry that receives hundreds of letters a week from incarcerated individuals seeking Christ. "When you encounter people inside," she says, "you begin to realize that Christ truly is there." Her advice to anyone looking to get involved: Will you show up? Will you be present? Will you listen? Will you love?

FROM THE PRAYER CORNER

GET INVOLVED

This month, we want to invite you to explore OYM's Initiatives. The on-the-ground programs that What's Your Ministry? is built to support.

Did you know OYM has Ministry Support Coordinators serving parishes in the Chicagoland area? These are people whose job is to come alongside local ministry leaders, offer resources, and help your parish grow. If you're in the region — or wish you had something like this in your area — learn more here.

And if you have a resource, event, or story of ministry happening in your parish that you'd like to share with the wider Orthodox community, we want to hear from you. WYM is only as rich as the people who contribute to it. Submit your resource or event here or reach out to us at info@theoym.org.

WHO ARE WE?

What's Your Ministry? (WYM) is a youth and young adult resource hub for Orthodox clergy, parish workers, and families; a place to discover tools, stories, and community that help you live out your calling in the Church. Whether you're a seasoned youth director, a parish priest, a Sunday School teacher, or a layperson wondering how your gifts fit into God's plan, this newsletter is for you.

Each month, we'll share what's happening in the Church year, highlight resources and events from across the Orthodox world, and introduce you to the real people living out ministry in ordinary and extraordinary ways. We believe every Orthodox Christian has a role to play in forming the faith of youth and young adults, and we want to help you do your part. Ministry grows when we grow together. If this newsletter has been useful to you, share it with a fellow youth director, priest, or parish worker who could use it too.

This is all made possible because of the support from our OYM family. Thank you for being a part of this community.