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Orita ritual prepares young adults for moral Christian living. Requirements include family budget management, community service, Bible study, and more. Parents and facilitators play vital roles in guiding the youth through this program.
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Orita An Initiation into Christian Adulthood by Donna Fair Conn & William Conn Email : Orita@franktfairfoundation.org
Orita Meaning • Orita – African word from the Yoruba tribe which means “crossroad” or “where two ways converge”. • In a true sense, the convergence of two meaningful alternatives is what choice is all about. Prepared by: Donna Fair Conn
Purpose for the Orita Ritual • To impress upon young persons their responsibility for their moral conduct from a Christian perspective. Prepared by: Donna Fair Conn
Orita Age / Support • Originally for 16 year olds only • Ages 16 – 18 could benefit from Orita workshops • Orita for both young men and young women • Parents/ Guardians support is needed • Church Support • Community Support Prepared by: Donna Fair Conn
7 Orita Ritual Requirements • Understanding the Black experience in America • Managing the family budget • Community Service • Exploration of career and educational opportunities • Relationship and Love/ Behaviors • Bible Study and Reflection • Preparation and execution of the Orita Ceremony Prepared by: Donna Fair Conn
Recommendations for Orita Requirements • Black experience in America (Supported by: Parent/Church Workshop) • Meet with older persons in church / community, listen and learn from their experiences. • Read books and magazines on the Black experience and discuss with parents • Roots • Managing Family Budget (Parent) • Pay the monthly bills • Do the grocery shopping • Research cost of apts, homes in local area • Community Service (Parent/Church/Community) • Feeding the homeless, etc (SSL) • Activities needed in the church and community Prepared by: Donna Fair Conn
Recommendations for OritaRequirements cont’d • Career and Educational Opportunities (Parent/School/Church) • Talk with High School guidance counselors • Visit College institutions • Talk with people in your field of interest • Research your interest and what types of careers relate to your interest. • Relationship and Love / Behaviors (Parent/ Church Workshop) • Communication • Male Female relationships, Dating, and Marriage • Self Control / Anger Management Prepared by: Donna Fair Conn
Recommendations for OritaRequirements cont’d • Bible Study and Reflection (Church/Parent) • Understanding the Old/New Testaments • Rewrite or do skit of a parable of Jesus in contemporary language • The Good Samaritan ( Luke 10:25-37) • The Wise and Foolish Maidens (Matthew 25:1-13) • The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) • Preparation and Execution of Orita Ceremony • Develop Program (Scriptures, Speakers, Invited Guest, etc) • Secure commitment of Participates • Display of Lessons Learned from Orita Requirements • Dates, Time, Refreshments, etc. Prepared by: Donna Fair Conn
Parents’ Role • Encourage youth to attend and participate in Orita workshops. • Discuss with youth what they did in the workshops. • Ensure youth documents in written, video, or artist fashion lessons learned. • Email Orita facilitators requirement is complete. • Essential to Requirement #2 – Managing Family Budget. Prepared by: Donna Fair Conn
Orita Facilitators’ Role • Develop or ensure interactive workshops for youth for each requirement. • Solicit persons to participate and help in workshops • For example, Seniors for share experiences in Requirement 1, Pastors for Bible Study / Reflection in Requirement 6, etc. • Ensure agenda is completed for each workshop and lead the workshops. • Responsible for communications to and from parents and youth regarding Orita. Prepared by: Donna Fair Conn
Orita Workshop Agenda Sample • Prayer • Attendance Sheet • Review the Orita Requirement (ie. Family Budget) • Do the Workshop/ Guest Speaker(s). • Discuss take away or lessons learned from the workshop. • Review any actions items for next time. • Prayer Prepared by: Donna Fair Conn
Orita Kick Off • Field Day (recreation ministry) • obstacle course (maze – choice theme) • Relays • Basketball teams • Events - youth with parents, youth against parents • T-shirts • Provide water • Bookstore can sell snacks • Registration can continue at Orita Field Day. Prepared by: Donna Fair Conn
References • Fair, Frank T. , Orita for Black Youth. Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press • http://books.google.com/books?id=6cwDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA88&lpg=PA88&dq=orita+ebony+magazine&source=bl&ots=b1ioOOIJFA&sig=0_rk1gHQ9xeUrPF4fIlpz5m15xc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xOb-UL68NM6u0AHIkYDQDg&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAA Prepared by: Donna Fair Conn