April 2006
Expanded Content from the April 2006 Issue of the Word Magazine:
SHARING THE FAITH
NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
“Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness I”
The teacher training program, “Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness I” was presented in two parishes recently, St. George of Houston, Texas, and St. John the Baptist of Post Falls Idaho. If you are interested in hosting this valuable and enjoyable training, please contact your Diocesan Christian Education Coordinator. Additional photos can be viewed at www.antiochian.org/christianeducation, “photo gallery.” Michelle Fellegy’s article is abridged here. The complete article can be found on our website under “Teacher Trainings.”
St. George Church, Houston Texas
Having recently completed a Christian Education wing, St. George Church in Houston, Texas hosted the training, “Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness,” January 21, 2006. The 25 participants were from OCA, Greek Orthodox, and our own parishes. Mrs. Vasiliki Oldziey, Diocesan Christian Education Coordinator, and Mrs. Carole Buleza, Archdiocesan Director of Christian Education, presented the workshops. At the conclusion of the event, Kh. Gigi Shadid, whose home parish is St. George’s, presented her new CD of Orthodox children’s songs.
We congratulate the Houston parish for providing the new addition of classrooms; the education wing is very beautiful, and a wonderful statement of the generosity of this vibrant community. Fr. John Salim is the pastor, Fr. Joseph Huneycutt is the associate pastor, and Mrs. Susie Sobchak is the Church School Director.
The new Christian Education wing
Participants working together
Participants working together
Mrs. Vasiliki Oldziey presenting, "Introduction to Teaching"
St. John the Baptist Church, Post Falls Idaho.
“This, then, is our task: to educate ourselves and our children in Godliness.” -St. John Chrysostom, Homily on Ephesians
When I discovered the availability of hosting a Teacher Training Workshop, I was immediately filled with the yearning to have this workshop at our parish. We hosted the workshop, February 24-25, 2006. The workshop consisted of three units, Overview of Orthodoxy, Introduction to Teaching and Orientation to Curriculum. This was a Pan-Orthodox event and all area churches were invited. Some participants traveled long distances and stayed in hotel rooms. It was similar to a mini-retreat.
Presbytera Linda taught us to impart the life-giving beauty of Orthodoxy to our students. As a group, our understanding of God, life, death and salvation was deepened because of this unit. We learned that we are to impart knowledge, and to encourage spiritual growth in our students. The new strategies and classroom management techniques will breathe new life into our church school. I would recommend this workshop for all parishes to experience.
I am thankful that Khouria Linda was able to travel here to Post Falls, Idaho and enlighten the staff at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church. I’m reminded of the quote I recently read, “Beloved Christians, you and your children shall appear at that Judgment of Christ, and you shall give account for them to the just Judge. He will not ask you whether you have taught your children the arts or whether you have taught them to speak French, or German, or Italian, but whether you have taught them to live as Christians.” – Tikhon of Zadonsk
Fr. Gregory Horton is the pastor. The article is by Michelle Fellegy, Church School Director.
Participants writing lesson plans
The Fellegy family with Fr. Gregory and Kh. Cindy Horton
From the Director’s Desk
Beloved Fellow Servants of Christ,
I hope you have enjoyed “meeting” our Diocesan Christian Education Coordinators in the September, December, February and April issues of The Word. Their complete biographies and articles are available on our website. In addition to the Diocesan Coordinators, we have three associates on board with specific areas of interest. Kh. Leslee Abud for the Creative Festivals, Ms. Catherine Sullivan for Small Church Schools, and Kh. Gail Meena for Multiple Intelligence Strategies and Special Needs children. We are so blessed to have these dedicated volunteers!
Our next Orthodox Institute will feature courses that will assist us personally, and as teachers, in the sharing of Orthodox Christianity. It is the mandate of Christ that we “make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you . . .” (Matthew 28:19-20). While we may not be comfortable going door-to-door, it is the goal of the next Institute that we be comfortable with our faith so that we can share with a friend or co-worker, when asked a question. The courses of the Orthodoxy track will offer a comparison of Orthodox Christianity with the beliefs and practices of Protestants and Catholics. We are privilged to have His Grace, Bishop Mark as the keynote speaker.
Continuing Education. We have made progress with our important goal of bringing continuing education to each diocese, every year. This school year we christened the Orthodox Institutes of the Midwest, MidAmerica, and Northern California. Be in touch with your Diocesan Coordinator for information about next year’s events. More Institutes will be forthcoming as soon as the Coordinators are ready.
Endowment. You may know that Ruth Ann Skaff is now the Director of Development for the Archdiocese, but did you know that the Department of Christian Education has an endowment fund with the goal of $1 million? When the goal is reached, the interest will be added to our yearly budget so that we can build, or renew programs, such as a revised Girl’s Tea, a page on the website for priests and the needs of adult education, a page for church school directors, on-going ideas for teachers, and more. In my report to the National Convention last year, I offered a five-year retrospective, as well as plans for the future. you may read, “Director’s Five-Year Report,” on the website. The report details 21 initiatives, either completed, “in progress,” or desired for the future. We are at the point where an additional staff person is needed in order to move forward. The endowment could turn this need into a reality. If you, or anyone you know, has a commitment to Orthodox Christian Education, please mention the endowment to them. Ruth Ann Skaff can be contacted at development@antiochian.org.
Your servant in Christ,
Carole Buleza
Department of Christian Education
Diocesan Coordinators
Please contact the Diocesan Coordinators for updates on trainings and other events in your region
Oakland, PA & the East;
New York and Washington DC:
V. Rev. George Alberts (203)798-1771
Toledo and the Midwest:
Robert Snyder (330)493-4029
Los Angeles and the West:
Joseph Tershay (831)335-8350;
Eagle River and for Northwest:
Linda Funk (306)934-1695
Ottawa and Upstate New York:
Jacquelyn Fadel (716)282-8243
Wichita and MidAmerica:
Vasiliki Oldziey (512)459-6264
Worcester and New England:
Anna Hughes (978)686-3274
Miami and the Southeast:
Betty Randolph (864)639-2204
The Department of Christian Education newsletter is published in the months of September, December, February, and April.
The office is staffed from 9:00-3:00 Monday through Wednesday. Phone (717) 747-5221.
FAX (717) 747-5832. E-mail: DCE@antiochian.org. Web page: www.antiochian.org/christianeducation
The Department gratefully acknowledges the on-going support of The Order of St. Ignatius which helps fund, in part, the programs we offer.
Resource Review
Phyllis Onest, whom many of you know from her courses, involvement with the Orthodox Family Life, and her extensive resource display that she has shared with us at our Orthodox Institute (at the Village) informed me that she is now an associate with the Center for Family Care (GOA) website, noted above.
I visited the website and was pleased to find resources that can be downloaded, such as “My Prayer Book,” a four page resource with morning and evening prayers, and particularly with “A Table Prayer Guide,” that has a variety of prayers. I recommend both and look forward to using them with my family. The latter includes a bibliography on the subject of the Orthodox family. Check out this site!
2006
Orthodox Institute
Antiochian Village
November 2-5
Keynote Speaker:
His Grace, Bishop MARK
Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest
Theme: “Sharing Your Faith”
Courses will assist teachers when asked questions such as:
- Why do we have to go to church?
- Why do we fast?
- Why are there other Christian denominations?
- What is so special about our faith?
- How do I explain why my friend can’t come to Communion?
Fr. George Alberts and Kh. Betty Randolph presenting, “Overview of the Divine Liturgy” at the 2005 Institute.
Presenting
Ms. Jacqueline Fadel
Coordinator for the Diocese of Ottawa and Upstate New York
Jackie has served in this capacity since the early 1990’s. Prior to her retirement in June 2004, she taught in the Elementary Division of the Niagara Falls School District for thirty-three years, the last twenty in a specialized program for the Gifted and Talented. She has also served as Recording Secretary for NAC SOYO, Oratorical Festival Coordinator and worked for a number of years as Stewardship Coordinator for the Diocese. She enjoys volunteering at the Antiochian Village Summer Camp where she once served as Volunteer Coordinator.
Presenting
Anna Timko Hughes
Coordinator for the Diocese of Worcester and New England
Anna has been involved in church school education for thirty years. Holding a B.A. in Sociology and an M.Ed. in Secondary Education and History, she currently teaches World and American History at Methuen High School. She is author of Divine Liturgy: An Interactive Guide and has taught various classes at her parish of St. George Church in Lawrence, Massachusetts. She also worked or volunteered at Antiochian Village since 1980.
The above article, as well as the articles of all eight of the Diocesan Coordinators, are offered in their entirety on the Department’s website. More extensive profiles of Ms. Fadel and Kh. Anna Hughes can also be found there.