Your outreach efforts will be as unique as your parish. Let the following ideas inspire your Missions & Evangelism Ministry to brainstorm what is most meaningful for your community.

1. Parish Festival
   1. Emphasize importance of the festival as an outreach event.
   2. Offer church tours, promote the parish bookstore and share about Orthodoxy in creative ways.
2. Church Tour Ideas
   1. 10-15 minute mini choir concerts at the end of the tour
   2. Demonstrate or exhibit liturgical arts and items such as vestments, iconography, and church music.
   3. Bring bookstore materials into the church
   4. Schedule a 1-3 part inquirers’ class 2-3 weeks after the festival; advertise heavily during festival church tours.
   5. Capture visitor contact information.
3. Organize lectures, talks, presentations, retreats and opportunities to introduce and educate the outside community about Orthodoxy. These presentations may take place at the church or at other public venues.
4. Market outreach activities in parish and community media.
5. Host speakers who can address current issues from an Orthodox perspective.
6. Consider hosting a open house or block party for neighbors of the parish. Another option might be to host an open house in conjunction with a larger community event or festival season.
7. Invite guests to a special Outreach Saturday Vespers followed by an explanatory homily about the service and/or Orthodox worship. Provide hospitality with a light reception.
8. Contact local Christian Colleges and University departments, professors and instructors (i.e. Religion, Christian Formation, Theology, Art History) to offer clergy and other trained parishioners as lecturers on iconography, church history, and other aspects of Orthodox Christian Faith and practice.
9. Establish and support an Orthodox Christian Fellowship, OCF at a local college or university.
10. Participate in Orthodox Prison Ministry, OPM, locally.