RSO - Coptic Orthodox Christian Student Organization

Many students at the University are distant from their home towns, where they have always had the spiritual support from their families and church community. Students find themselves being deprived from their spiritual relationship with God when they lack this support system. There are many different branches of Orthodox christians including Greek, Syrian, and Coptic Orthodox  sister churches. Orthodox students don’t have this support in their life while they are on campus and therefore they start to lose faith and become distant from God. Through the Orthodox Christian Student Organization, these students will find encouragement through other students and an organization to become a part of and serve others. Orthodox students will strengthen their faith through bible study meetings and mid-night praises that would take place in the Newman center occasionally at 8pm. Also, Fr. Samuel, a father from the Coptic Orthodox Church in Natick, Massachusetts, has volunteered to come twice semesterly to guide us and give us sermons on how to strengthen our faith and keep our spirituality intact. This group is open to all interested students and will create many opportunities to become involved in community service and represent Umass. Already, there are over 10 students who are in support of this organization and I am sure upon advertising the Organization, the group will exponentially grow.

The Orthodox Christian Student Organization will be a great addition to the University of Massachusetts Amherst. There are over 10 students from my church community who attend the University and are in support of this organization. Also, the group will exponentially expand next year since many more high school students from my church consider Umass Amherst as their top choice for their undergraduate carrers. Also this group will aid many more students who I am enthusiastic to meet from many different branches of the Orthodox faith. Upon many advertised meetings, I am sure the organization will reach out to many Umass students. Also the Orthodox Christian Student Organization will benefit the local Amherst community through community service and volunteer work.