Newsletter from the Word Magazine
Click the following link to download or view our latest newsletter:
- September 2009 Newsletter
Previous Newsletters can be found here.
February 2009
Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
In November we conducted the first “Orthodox Institute Ontario.” We have now offered mini-Institutes in almost all dioceses. With attendance at 47, this was the largest of the mini-Institutes to date.
During the last four months of 2008, my life revolved around my father. I was privileged to see the working out of a “Christian ending to our lives.” Each person’s life is a sacred story. At our last Orthodox Institute the theme was “Faith Through Stories” — in the sharing of stories, our faith is nurtured. And so I share this story of my father’s “journey home,” and ponder some questions along the way.
We are at the start of another journey now — Lent, and then Holy Week, and fi nally Pascha. It is this larger story that gives meaning to all of our lives, and reason for telling my father’s story. Think about your own life, and the times when your faith was enriched. Perhaps there will be a time when you need to share that story with a friend, or with your students. May you have a fruitful Lenten journey!
Carole Buleza
Director
First “Orthodox Institute Ontario”
The Orthodox Institute Ontario Training Session held at St. Elias Cathedral in Ottawa from November 14th to 15th, 2008, offered the courses Teacher Training I, Teacher Training II, and the special theme for 2008, “The Divine Liturgy.” His Grace, Bishop Alexander, gave his blessing on the event and was the keynote speaker.
The 47 registrants came from St. George Church (Montreal), St. Ignatius Mission (St. Catherines), St. Mary’s Church (Montreal), St. Mary’s Church (Mississauga), Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church (Ottawa) and the teachers and Superintendent from St. Elias Cathedral.
The Department of Christian Education newsletter is published in the months of September, December, February, and April.
The offi ce 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 ongoing support of The Order of St. Ignatius which helps fund the programs we offer.
Orthodox Institute Ontario
Our beloved Parish Priest, the Very Reverend Father Ghattas Hajal, introduced His Grace, Bishop
ALEXANDER, as the keynote speaker on Friday evening. The title of the address was: “Are you at …
or in … the Divine Liturgy?”
We started with a light breakfast, and then the classes began. During the Divine Liturgy course, Father Ghattas explained the symbolism of each piece of his vestment, and showed how they were worn. He also showed the group how he prepares for Communion and explained the various steps in the preparation.
Delicious lunchon and supper meals were offered, and we thank those who provided for us. We concluded the day with Vespers at 6:00 p.m.
The course instructors, Myra Kovalak, Alan Sanger, and Linda Funk, did a wonderful job and are truly dedicated to their calling! All the participants had nothing but high praise for the instructors. May God continue to bestow his blessings upon them.
We eagerly look forward to hosting another Session in the near future!
Joann Nicholson, Superintendent
The Homecoming
Carole Buleza
Autumn is considered a quieter season, a time for refl ection. Indeed, it was for me this past year. In September my father came down with aspiration pneumonia, which put him in the hospital for a week. After that, he was admitted to a rehabilitation hospital. Several weeks later he took up residence in a skilled nursing facility. We wondered if this was the beginning of the end.
All his life my father was outgoing; he had a few words for everyone he came across. He chose not to be concerned about himself, but to make life good for those around him. He often made people smile or laugh with the jokes he told. “What’s new today?” he would say to a nurse, and then ask about their children or follow up on a previous conversation. Dad would sometimes greet the nurses with a line or two from an old song. He made each nurse feel special, as if they’d made his day. In so doing, he made their day. Each week Parkinson’s disease took over more of his body; by December he could not walk at all. During his daily “rounds” of the ward, he reached out to touch other residents as his wheelchair passed by them. He would have loved to have said a few words in passing, but could no longer speak audibly. The other residents began to reach out and touch him when they saw he was coming.
Just before being taken to the hospital in September, he told me about a dream he’d just had. “I dreamt about your mother last night. We sure had some good times together.” I was caught off guard when he shared his dream — first, he never remembered what he dreamt about, and second, he hadn’t spoken of my mother, who died in 1973, for many, many years. This was the first of four signifi cant dreams or visions leading up to his passing. The fourth occurred about a week before his death, at a time when he seemed fully awake. As I entered the room that day I said, “So, how are you doing?” “Fine,” he replied, “except I keep hearing a voice over and over again.” He seemed mildly impatient with the voice. Thinking it was someone on the P.A. system, I asked what the voice was saying. He told me that the voice was gently saying, “I’m waiting for you.”
Late in December, during another bout with pneumonia, my father fi nally realized there was something we weren’t telling him. He demanded to know his condition. How do you tell someone they are soon to die? I gathered two priests, the doctor, and my family with whom he had lived for the last 17 years. I reminded him of the dreams, and interpreted them for him. The doctor then explained his medical condition. Dad seemed unfazed.
Finally I said, “You only have a few days left, Dad, do you understand that? Are you ready to die?” He calmly replied, “I’m ready.” I thought to myself that God had answered the prayer for a “Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful; and a good defense before the dread Judgment Seat of Christ.”
My father wanted very little those last days. He still asked to be wheeled up and down the hallway. Then, on the second day after our gathering at his bedside, he rallied. His voice became stronger and he was awake for most of the day — it was as if a ray of sunshine had touched him. The hospice nurse told me that in the process of dying, it is not unusual for a person to rally just before the end. The rally lasted one day. I had seen this one other time in my life, in the imminent death of a little child at our church. I wondered, and still do, whether this is a way God prepares the person for the Kingdom, or whether this is God showing us that there is life — healed and made whole — after death.
On the fourth day after the gathering, Saturday, my father was “sleeping loudly”; we could not rouse him. My husband spent the evening reading the Psalms to him. When I began my shift, I continued reading the Psalms, and, as he was Catholic, I prayed the Rosary while holding his hand. Once, I lost my place and as I paused to fi gure it out, I felt him softly squeeze my hand twice, as if to say, “Get on with it.”
The nurse kept checking on Dad that night. When the signs indicated that the time was very near, she urged me to tell him it was okay to leave us. So, I did. I began by recalling his dreams to him. Then I named all the loved ones who were waiting for him. Could he see them? I recalled to him that in heaven there is no sickness, sorrow, or sighing, that it is a place of brightness, verdure and repose. I asked him if he saw the light. I tried to picture it myself as I spoke the words to him. “Dad, it’s time to cross over to the glorious Kingdom of God.”
He died soon after Saturday became Sunday. As the nurse checked for a pulse I did not cry. It was very peaceful.
* * *
I wish I could have kept vigil at my mother’s hospital bedside, to help her cross over. My father and I arrived about an hour after she had died. My dad was talking to the doctor, and a nurse asked if I wanted to see her. She opened the door to her room and I walked in.
I suppose it would have been appropriate to cry then. I did not cry — I did not even have a chance to — as my mind was riveted to two immediate realities. First, I was the only “living being” in the room; my mother’s body was not equal to her life. Second, I knew, beyond a doubt, that her life had not ended, not dissipated, not vanished. The energy and spirit of my mother lived on somewhere. My belief in the Resurrection became real that day — because of Jesus’ death and Resurrection, I would see my mother again!
And so, as I stood at my father’s bedside, I revisited those realities, and I was peaceful. His life had not ended. I would see him again.
In a few days we would bury my father. I’d been working to have my mother’s remains brought to Pennsylvania from California so that she could be buried here and her grave could be blessed at my father’s funeral. I was exchanging fi nal paperwork with the cemetery in California when Dad died. I realized my plan wouldn’t work. What I did not know was that God had another plan — the casket would arrive in a few days and they would be buried together.
Another event that had left me wondering occurred the day before the viewing. Typically, this is the day when a family member comes to the funeral home to see the deceased and make sure everything is correct. I did so. I then asked, out of curiosity, where my mother’s casket was. They asked if I wanted it brought in. I said okay, and was pleased to see that the new casket looked very nice. I placed my hand on it and thought how this was such an unusual circumstance. I looked over to my father, and realized that all three of us were in the same room, together again after 35 years. I felt like I was being carried back in time, one memory tumbling over another. I was a child again with my parents, loved and at peace. I had found “home” again, and I wanted to stay forever. It was an amazing experience. That room is now a special place in my heart.
In the several days that followed, I tried to fi gure out why the time with my parents was so powerful. Maybe my experience was a “foretaste” of the wonderful homecoming we will have with those who bid us to “cross over” when our time has come. And perhaps it will be a foretaste of the love and happiness into which we will be immersed when we are welcomed into our eternal home by our Lord and Savior.
Memory eternal, Michael and Anna!
Previous Newsletters
Older Newsletters are available for reading, primarily for photos of past events and selected Resource Reviews:
- April 2009 Newsletter
- February 2009 Newsletter
- September 2007 Newsletter
- April 2007 Newsletter
- December 2006 Newsletter
- September 2006 Newsletter
- April 2006 Newsletter
- February 2006 Newsletter
- December 2005 Newsletter
- September 2005 Newsletter
- April 2005 Newsletter
- February 2005 Newsletter
- December 2004 Newsletter
- September 2004 Sharing the Faith (PDF)
- April 2004 Newsletter
Please note that phone numbers, addresses or other forms of contact information may be out of date or inaccurate in older issues of the newsletter. Always refer to the newest issue available or contact the department for further assistance.
September 2007
SHARING THE FAITH
NEWS FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
From the Director's Desk
Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
Having just returned from our National Convention, I am once again inspired by the many, many dedicated priests, beloved hierarchs, and laypersons committed to Christ and to His Church, led by His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP. We are truly blessed.
Please rejoice with me that "To Tithe is to Share, To Tithe is to Care," is ready to use with the beginning of the school year. You can find the program, which contains posters, labels, and five leveled-booklets on the website as "Tithing 2007." To assist the priests with educating their congregations in regard to tithing, I have placed a series of bulletin inserts, articles, posters and bookmarks on the "Priests Resource Page" of our site.
As you can see there are many, many trainings scheduled. Please contact the office, or your Diocesan Christian Education Coordinator if you wish to schedule one. Finally, the Gospel pages were revamped in January, and this Fall we hope to make available a podcast each week, in two versions: a telling, and a reading; both will be done by a professional story teller.
Nothing we can do at the Department can take the place of your committed and inspired efforts as you interact with the students. May the Holy Spirit renew you for His work!
Carole A. Buleza
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 funds, in part, the programs and services we offer.
"Cognitive and Spiritual Development in Children" Presented in Portland
The topic for the Christian Education workshop on June 29, 2007 at the Parish Life Conference for Los Angeles and the West was Cognitive and Spiritual Development in Children. In her presentation, Kh. Kh. Linda Funk of Saskatoon, SK drew from the wisdom of St. Paul, St. Silouan and Sr. Magdalen. She concluded by having participants work in small groups, using the developmental charts of Dr. Constance Tarasar as found in the book Our Church and Our Children (SVS Press) by Sophie Koulomzin.
Mini Orthodox Institutes Scheduled in Three Cities
A mini-Institute offers Teacher Training I and II, one to three additional courses, and a keynote speaker. At this time the following are scheduled:
Friday-Saturday, October 19-20, 2007
St. Elijah Church, Oklahoma City
In conjuction with the Fall Delegates Meeting
Additional coursework: Creative Festivals
Friday-Saturday, September 21-22, 2007
St. Nicholas Church, San Francisco
Additional coursework: Divine Liturgy
Friday, Saturday, November 16-17, 2007
St. George Church, Vicksburg, MS
Additional coursework: Evangelism
To Tithe is to Share, to Tithe is to Care
. . . about your faith
by Carole A. Buleza
In late summer and early autumn we see the land resting after having yielded the grain and fruit of the season, if we live close enough to farmland. In our developed societies we are not as tied to the land as those in agrarian societies. We do not suffer for lack of food at the grocery store, and perhaps are not as apt to pray in thanksgiving to God for the bounty just harvested.
Our ancestors in the Bible knew that all they had came from God. What they had they held not as owners, but as stewards. Just as Adam was made steward, or caretaker, of creation, so they were merely stewards of their holdings. They also knew that God had decreed that a "tithe,", or 1/10, of all they harvested was to be returned to Him in thanksgiving, and as appropriate worship.
"All tithes of the land, whether in grain from the fields or in the fruit from the trees, belong to the Lord, as sacred to him . . . The tithes of the herd and the flock shall be determined by ceding to the Lord as sacred every tenth animal . . . (Leviticus 27:30, 32). What were God's people thankful for? Primarily, they were thankful that God had rescued them from slavery in Egypt and was leading them to the Promised Land--they owed God their life.
Here we are a few thousand years later. Has anything changed? We are now God's people. Jesus, our Lord, has rescued us from slavery to sin, and eternal death. He has opened to us the Gates of Heaven. We owe Him our life. But, do we tithe? Sadly, most of us would answer, "No." Why-did Jesus tell us not to?
The gospels contain one passage in which Jesus uses the word, "tithe." At the time, He was calling the Pharisees to task. They had focused on keeping the law to the smallest detail, but did not see the whole picture. They had satisfied the letter of the law, but had not cultivated a spirit dedicated to God-which is why the law exists in the first place.
"Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done without leaving the others undone" (Matthew 23:23). The passage tells us Jesus presumed that those listening to Him tithed. In this passage He told the Scribes and Pharisees to open eyes to justice, mercy, and faith, while continuing to tithe.
Thankfulness. What about today? What would Jesus say to us? I believe He would be interested in the "bottom line," but not the one on the financial report. Rather, where each of us stands in relation to Him. Are we thankful to Him? Are we dedicated to Him? Many, no doubt would answer "yes," but when asked, "Do you tithe?" would respond. "No." Why? Here are three likely responses: 1) "Jesus is not interested in money," 2) "Our parish doesn't have a mortgage," or 3) "There never seems to be money left at the end of the month." Let's look at each.
Dedication to God. The first reason, "Jesus is not interested in money," may be true. However, He is interested in our continuing the work of salvation through the Church He established, and that requires money. We are His hands in the world. Getting back to the bottom line, how does God know whether we are dedicated to Him, if not by sacrifices--and today what people seem to value most is their money. Undoubtedly, Jesus was seeing ahead 2000 years when he uttered the phrase, "Where your treasure is, there also is your heart."
Stewardship. Most parishioners want to pay off the mortgage. When a parish has a mortgage, the welcome mat is put out and parishioners are friendly--this is how each parish should be, all the time. Jesus came to offer salvation to every person; our churches should also. It is our mission; we say it in the Creed every Sunday-we believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Apostolic has a double meaning. Indeed, we are the Church founded by the Apostles; however, the word itself means, "one who has a mission." Our mission is to continue the work of the apostles; to continue to offer salvation to all. It has been said that a church without a sense of mission, is dead. If the mortgage is paid off, the parish needs to pray about how to steward their income, for a new mission they should be financially assisting, or commit to sending money to the Orthodox organizations that help here and around the world.
Trust. Finally, "There never seems to be money left at the end of the month." True. With as much as we have, we always buy more. In the Old Testament, God directed His people to give from the first fruits of the land. Today that is called, "payroll deduction." To tithe from the first fruits, is to trust that God will still care for you at the end of the month. Whenever we trust God, we grow in faith. It is time for each of us to grow in faith. It is time to tithe, whether immediately, or in planned stages.
Tithing will foster stronger parishes which can then focus more on spiritual growth. Tithing will allow for the cross of Christ to be raised by mission parishes to meet the mandate of Christ, to "go forth and teach all nations." Tithing will help us increase our support of the poor, the hungry, and the youth. Tithing will help Jesus judge whether or not we are dedicated to Him.
April 2007
St. George’s, Portland Training
Submitted by Alexandra Obeid
On November 21, 2006, the church school staff of St. George’s Orthodox Church in Portland, Oregon gathered with the neighboring Antiochian, OCA, and Greek Orthodox church school faculties to participate in a workshop led by Kh. Linda Funk, of the Antiochian Department of Christian Education.
The workshop, “Educating Ourselves and our Children in Godliness,” was very effective, informative and spiritual. The participants felt ready at the end of the day to meet the challenge that lay ahead of them in their classrooms. Kh. Linda is a gift to the Department. Her love for Christ and His Church is obvious and her teaching method is very practical and convincing. We hope we will have her visit our parish again in the near future. Fr. Alban West is the pastor; Alexandra Obeid is the Church School Director.
From the Director’s Desk
Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
As the church school year winds down, a certain question is typically asked by every teacher, “Just what did the students learn this year?” The question arises as our church school attendance is often inconsistent due to distance, athletics, and other activities. Having both taught, and been a church school director for years, when I came into my current position, I vowed to make “firm knowledge of the faith,” one of my priorities for the students, along with nurturing their spiritual maturity.
Use OCEC Materials (Available through the Chancery). The Way, The Truth, and The Life, a high school or 8th grade book that offers the basics of our faith, was the fi rst response. A second step towards the goal is “Knowing Your Faith.” This web-based program is detailed on the following pages. The fi nal step will be the revision of all the OCEC texts. For those who have not been using OCEC texts, it is time to begin to use them, complemented by the materials in “Knowing Your Faith.” Use of the OCEC material will now systematically build a body of knowledge for our students to acquire.
Teacher Training. With the standards raised for our students, we need to provide adequate training for our teachers. Along with the OCEC Department of Teacher Training, we have been offering workshops I and II of “Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness.” If you would like to host a teacher training, please contact your Diocesan Representative (listed on page four of this newsletter).
Orthodox Unity. The departmental staff held our annual midwinter meeting in early February. At this meeting we plan the next Orthodox Institute at the Village. The theme for 2007 is “Orthodox Unity.” This is a cause that Metropolitan PHILIP has championed. Our Department has also worked consistently toward this end by having presenters from various jurisdictions at our Institutes. Please make arrangements now to be at the Village November 1-4! We are also planning the second Orthodox Institute Northern California in San Francisco in September. Information on both events is on page four of the newsletter.
Creative Festivals. Seven years ago it was brought to my attention that participation in the Creative Festivals was a challenge for most of our teachers. After extensive study and much discussion with the Fellowship of St. John the Divine, our department will assume leadership for the Creative Festivals in August 2007. Kh. Leslee Abud is the Chair for this project. Details will be forthcoming; however, changes will be minimal the first few years.
Thank you for another year of dedication,
Carole Buleza
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/christ...
The Department gratefully acknowledges the on-going support of The Order of St. Ignatius which helps fund, in part, the programs we offer.
“Knowing Your Faith”
Teachers + Parents (Working Together) = Children Knowing the Faith
In most parishes, children do not come regularly to Church School, and teachers can become discouraged. If you have wondered, “Just what did I teach the students this year,” this program, based on the OCEC publication, The Way, The Truth, and The Life, will help you answer that question.
The educational standards found in The Way, The Truth, and The Life, have been cross-referenced with the lessons of the current OCEC texts for grades K-5. Repetition is key to the success of the program. The students should see the questions and answers posted, and go over the ones they have learned for a few minutes every Sunday. In this way, even the child who comes half of the time has a good chance of knowing the year’s standards.
The other key component is the home. The prayers can be placed in the child’s icon corner and practiced each night. A parent can choose the first Sunday of each month to review standards with the children. As with public school, when parents work with teachers, children achieve more. The letter at the right provides an explanation of the program. Some of the program visual aids are shown as well. The program is offered free via the website at www.antiochian.org/christ..., click “Knowing Your Faith.”
The teacher materials include an 11 x 17” scroll, a simple game, and the standards printed individually.Those who have classrooms can put the individual standards on bulletin boards, or walls. Those who don’t have classrooms can mount the scroll on a piece of foamboard and prop it on a chair. Only the OCEC materials, combined with “Knowing Your Faith,” provide our students with a knowledge base culminating in The Way, The Truth, and The Life. As one of the disappointments with the OCEC material is its lack of color and engaging graphics, please note that for the lessons referred to in “Knowing Your Faith,” we will be providing, during the coming year, replacement lessons that are beautifully rendered, and which seamlessly present the educational standard specifi ed for the lesson.
Resource Review
International Orthodox Christian Charities’ My Prayer Journal
My Prayer Journal is a good start to helping our children learn about what the IOCC is doing, both in our country and abroad. It helps the children learn about other places, recognize the needs there, and formulate prayers to ask God to meet those needs.
Each month, the journal presents one area of need and the IOCC’s response to that need. Each spread features a map of the world, showing where the needy area is, and outlining the shape of the country in need. The spread includes several pictures from that country, a fast fact about the country, a related quote from the church fathers, a selection of a prayer from the Divine Liturgy, and a verse from the Scriptures. There is also room for the children to write what they’re praying for and what they’re thanking God for.
When I first used the book with my children, I had to talk them through what they could pray about. As they have continued to work in the book, however, I am amazed to see them begin writing almost as soon as we have finished reading the information. They find ideas or inferences in the information that leads them to praying for the needy people, and they always have something to thank God for, as well.
After we read and the children write their prayers, we stand before the icon of Christ blessing the children that we have on the wall in our schoolroom, and pray. The children have prayed their written prayers as well as other unwritten ones, for the people they’ve just learned about. It has been a beautiful way for us to work on helping the children pray in their own words for the needs of others.
NOTE: This is an excerpt from a longer review. The full review, including a page from the booklet, is posted on the website, under Resource Reviews. The booklets are available in August of each year. To order individual copies, go online at www.iocc.org/journal. For parish orders, contact the Department of Religious Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese toll-free at 1-800-566-1088. The prayer journal is free, but shipping charges may apply.
February 2005
SHARING THE FAITH
NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION & TITHING
From the Directors’ Desk
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We have begun a colllaborative effort with the Orthodox Christian Education Commission, to offer an intitial teacher training program called "Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness." Matushka Myra Kovalak, of the OCA, is coordinating trainings on behalf of our Archdiocese, and all who are members of the OCEC. There has been a very good response to this program. If your parish would be interested in hosting this workshop, please let me know, and I will forward your request to Mat. Myra.
Our Orthodox Institute 2004 was a great success, with participants learning, sharing and enjoying our beautiful Antiochian Village. There are more photos on the website in "Photo Gallery." We thank Bishop Basil, and Sr. Magdalen for four excellent presentations, and for being with us during the weekend.
As we enter a new year, I wish to highlight two new initiatives begun at year end.
Teacher Training.
"To Tithe is To Love."
I ask that church school directors, pastors, and parents let me know how the tithing program worked in your parish. I can be reached by email at DCE@antiochian.org.
Website. May God bless all of us with a fruitful new year! With great enthusiasm the Department launched a more extensive website. With the coordination of several volunteers, we have made progress, although by "fits and starts--" my sincere apologies! If you have not checked out the Antiochian Gospel program, that follows the lectionary for the year, please do so! After the Gospel program, my next goal is to have material posted for all the feasts, in "Celebrate the Feasts!" I am not going to indicate a timeframe, so as not to disappoint. Be a web-watcher and be surprised!First, and most importantly, the Department met the challenge of Metropolitan PHILIP who mandated that tithing be taught to the children. It is God whom we imitate when we give, sacrificially. In Jesus birth, and death and resurrection, we see that "giving" is what (Christian) life is all about. We give our tithe so that our churches may be strong in order to become what we are, the Body of Christ, for the world. The children are to continue to bring in their tithe, and teachers are to continue collecting their offerings, throughout the year. If this seems God does not ask of us anything that is not for our own good!
Carole Buleza
Department of Christian Education
Regional Coordinators
Please contact the Regional Representatives for updates on trainings and other events in your region
Eastern: V. Rev. George Alberts (203)798-1771
Midwest: Robert Snyder (330)493-4029
Western: Joseph Tershay (831)335-8350
Can-Am: Jacquelyn Fadel (716)282-8243
Southwest: Vasiliki (Billie) Oldziey (512)459-6264
New England: Anna Timko-Hughes (978)686-3274
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/christ...
The Department of Christian Education gratefully acknowledges the financial contribution of the Order of St. Ignatius which funds, in part, its operations and programs.
"Following the Star into the New Year"
by Carole Buleza
As I write this in December, I am listening to the familiar Christmas carol, "O Come! O Come, Emanuel!" The song continues with, "and ransom captive Israel, who moans in lowly exile here, until the Son of God appear." Pondering the phrase, it occurs to me that the traditional carols have some common threads, evidenced in these familiar lyrics, "Joy to the world, the savior reigns!" "Hark, the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn king!" "O holy night, the stars are brightly shining! It is the night of our dear savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ’til he appeared, and the soul felt its worth!"
At the time when these carols were written, as well as long before Christ, life and what it meant, was different than today. Centuries ago, many grew their own food, or labored hard in a trade. Life was about the cycle of the seasons, and hard work. For those who suffered from disease, war, famine and other handships, life was about surviving bad situations, and hoping that there was an afterlife that would be better. Even if one survived hardships, death generally came earlier than today—often in the fourth or fifth decade of life. There is an adage more appropriate to earlier centuries, but still around, "As soon as you are born, you begin to die."
Enter the nativity of the Son of God, sent to save us
In the traditional carols we see the words, "ransom," "captive," "exile," "savior," "king," "sin," "error," "pining." The carols speak to the longing of humanity, for a savior who will rule the world with truth and justice, and who will save us from our sins. They speak to, perhaps, a different experience of life—one where hardship predominated, death was never far away, and sin was real. Today, for most of us in the western world, life is not too hard. We sing the traditional carols as glibly as "Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Our Orthodox children know that Christ’s birth is celebrated at Christmas, but I venture to say that they don’t bring to the feast the understanding of what it is like to be in need of anything, much less salvation. We have, in the western-secular world, become the Pharisees—the ones who didn’t need Christ.
The situation needs to be corrected, first by contemplating our own need for salvation, and then by addressing the situation in our families. I have a few thoughts to share. First, in the home, the children must have a focal point, where the family prays together, where children can be brought to ask forgiveness of one another, and where a candle can be lit in time of need. This is known as "the icon corner." Also in the home, the children need to learn
heartfelt "thankfulness" for even the cup of juice that Mom or Dad serves, so as to be formed into people who realize their dependency on others, and most especially, on God. Second, the children must see church as their second home. They must see their parents venerating the icons, asking for the Mystery of Confession, and they must be brought to it often. By attending services, and participating in church activities, the children see that church is of utmost importance for their family.
In regard to the third idea, it is imperative that the family discuss what it means to offer the weekly donation. The Department of Christian Education and Tithing has provided a kit to every parish for the program, "To Tithe is To Love." By helping our children learn to tithe, or offer 1/10th of all they receive and earn, we are offering a priceless education. One who tithes learns obedience, stewardship, and trust in God--all these are qualities on the path to salvation. One who tithes grows into the knowledge that one’s whole life is to be "at God’s service." In Christ, the soul feels its worth. Christ becomes the reason for living, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Luke 12:34).
The three kings, or wise men, of the nativity story, have much to teach us. As we know, from the carol, they traveled over field, moor and mountain, from "afar" to see the newborn king. Our troparion also speaks of them, "Thy Nativity, O Christ, our God, hath given rise to the light of knowledge in the world; for they that worshipped the stars did learn therefrom to worship Thee, O Sun of justice, and to know that from the east of the Highest thou didst come O Lord, glory to Thee." We, like the kings, must be ever-seeking, Christ, our savior, even if it means a journey that makes us change our life. We, like the wise men, need to turn from worshipping material goods, money, or prestige, and turn to worshipping God. We, like the kings, need to present our treasure to God, in church, out of love, so that our church grows strong to become a beacon of salvation for the community.
The Christmas themes of "awaiting," "seeking salvation" occur regularly during our fasting periods. As we enter into the Lenten season, Zaccheus, the Publican, and the Prodigal Son are all offered to us as models of ever-seeking God and salvation, with each having his own lesson to offer.
Let us follow the star of Bethlehem into the new year. Like the wise men, let us overcome all obstacles and distance to come into God’s presence. Let us, like the wise men, offer our treasure to God humbly and with gratitude. Let us find our treasure in Christ.
from the consequence sin, namely, eternal death; and for eternal life with God. To the weary he said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29). To the sick, he gave healing, and to the sinners, he offered forgiveness and a new life. The ones who did not listen to his words were the Pharisees, who needed nothing, and were content in their self-judged righteousness.
Photos from the 2004 Orthodox Institute
December 2004
SHARING THE FAITH
NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION & TITHING
From the Directors’ Desk
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I pray that the school year has begun well for all of you. Are you seeing, in each of your students, the image of God? Each person is made in His image, so the opportuntity is always there. Let us seek, and find, what is godly in each child we teach. One of the saints used to greet each of those who called on him with the phrase, “My joy . . .”
The past few months have been exceptionally busy with the formal launching of the teacher certification training, “Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness.” I had the pleasure of visiting many, many fine parishes and meeting scores of dedicated teachers. I typically forget to take photos, however, and apologize that the only two I can share are from St. Matthew’s Parish in Torrance, California, where Fr. Simeon Corona is pastor.
The Department has launched a new website, so please check it out, and a new program, “To Tithe is To Love,” to teach this venerable tradition to our children. I explain the program more on the following pages. Finally, my regional coordinators and myself sent out 250 red folders for every parish priest and church school director, to acquaint all with our resources, services, and events. I managed to create a handy one-page reference sheet, which I have included as the last page of this newsletter.
Finally, in our next newsletter, in the February issue of The Word, you will see photos and find remarks of participants of the 2004 Orthodox Institute with Keynote Speakers, His Grace, Bishop BASIL, and Sr. Magdalen of England.
May God be with you,
Carole A. Buleza
Department of Christian Education
Regional Coordinators
Please contact the Regional Representatives for updates on trainings and other events in your region
Eastern: V. Rev. George Alberts (724)684-5472
Midwest: R.obert Snyder (330)493-4029
Western: Joseph Tershay (831)335-8350
Can-Am: Jacquelyn Fadel (716)282-8243
Southwest: Vasiliki (Billie) Oldziey (512)459-6264
New England: Anna Timko-Hughes (978)686-3274
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: AODCE@AOL.com
Web page: www.antiochian.org/christianeducation
Introduction of “To Tithe is To Love”
The program to teach the children to tithe, “To Tithe is To Love,” will begin this year and run during four Sundays of the Nativity Fast. In preparation, tithing was the topic of the Department’s workshop at each Parish Life Conference this year. In cooperation with Ron Nicola, Chair of the Stewardship Department, the Parish Council Symposium participants benefitted from that same workshop as well as teachers and church school directors, at the 2004 Orthodox Institute in early November.
Program Implementation. The Church School Director will receive a kit for the program in November. The teachers will receive lesson plans for 10 minute add-on lessons to those they have already prepared. This year, the aspects of tithing that will be taught are those found in stewardship: the giving of time, talent, and treasure (tithe).
In addition, I have determined that the spiritual qualities we need to build in our students in order to make tithing a lifelong habit are: trust, stewardship, obedience, and giving oneself to God. I have identified a saint for each of these qualities, so that a saint will be highlighted along with each lesson plan. A set of visual aids, or small posters, with these saints will be available. Each week, the children will be provided with a doorknob hanger highlighting one of the saints, to remind them to bring in their offering each Sunday. Parishes that have children’s offering envelopes can simply have the children place their offerings in the box.
The children will bring in their tithe each week, and place it in a collection box with a cover of the “logo” for this year’s program. The classes will bring their boxes to the ushers, or to the priest, each week. This will continue throughout the year. Please contact the Department if you have any questions or need further materials. May God bless us in this new program!
AODCE Services and Resources
Church School Directors can request “Basic Church School Director” training which comes with a valuable manual. In addition, many valuable resources are found on our website,
www.antiochian.org/christianeducation
• “Sharing the Faith,” our Departmental newsletter, also found in The Word magazines for the months of September, December, February and April;
• Creative Festival Lesson Plans, four levels of lesson plans designed to assist teachers as they introduce the year’s theme to their students;
• A Listing of Our Curriculum, published by the Orthodox Christian Education Commission (O.C.E.C.);
• “One Month At A Time,” a page written by an experienced Director who shares what she is planning and doing each month;
• “Resources and Ideas for Small Church Schools,” a paper listing and explaining valuable websites and material resources with ideas for implementing grade-spanning lessons.
Parents can look to the website for resources as they strive to raise their children Orthodox. The Department offers a 2-hour workshop, “Raising Children Orthodox.” The website section for parents has two pages at this point, but will receive others during the year. The pages are:
• “Antiochian Gospel Program”: features five levels of pages to introduce the Gospel of each Sunday, with discussion questions and illustrations. The Gospel is paraphrased for the younger children. Parents can print out the pages to read to, or with, their children on Saturday evening in anticipation of the Gospel, or on Sundays to reinforce the message. The program is also a resource for small church schools.
• Children’s Book Reviews: Orthodox publishers are now offering beautiful full-color books for children, which will be presented and reviewed on this page.
“Seekers” will have a page on the website with two sections:
• Book Reviews: Orthodox publications will be reviewed
• Inspiration: Passages from classic Orthodox writers will be highlighted.
Teachers can benefit greatly from the training, “Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness,” which is given through the Orthodox Christian Education Commission. The training is comprised of two hours in each of the following courses: Introduction to Teaching, Overview of Orthodoxy, and Orientation to Curriculum. Effective teaching techniques are modeled during the presentations, and notebooks are distributed so that participants can easily implement what they have learned. More information (as well as participants’ comments) on the training can be found on our webs
The website is also a place to find many teaching aids. The following pages comprise the Teacher Section:
• “Celebrate the Feasts:” A listing of the major feasts of the Church, with lesson resource material for five levels of students;
• “Out of the Box”: Ideas submitted by teachers and the Departmental Staff;
• Middle School: A listing of the “interim curriculum” units that are available;
• High School: A description of the new text, The Way, The Truth, and The Life; a listing of the “interim curriculum” units that are available, and the “Cross and Quill” archives indexed by topic, so that a single article can be printed.
December 2006
From the Director’s Desk
Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
During this holy season, I am pleased to present photos from teacher trainings we have held in the Archdiocese, with the collaboration of the Orthodox Christian Education Commission (OCEC). As we celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord, let us appreciate how our teachers are striving to be the best they can be in order to “bring to birth” Christ in each of our students.
To Tithe is To Share. This year’s program is now on the website and ready for your use. A monthly booklet has been prepared, in four levels, with the theme of the liturgical year. The pages are simple, and take only five minutes once a month. In this way we are regularly teach about tithing, and remind the students to continue in the practice. Posters are available on the site, and measure 8.5” x 14”. If you don’t have a printer that can handle a larger size, simply download the file onto a disk, and take it to an office or copy store and have them print it for you.
While you are on the site, check out “The Scribe,” a program for middle school students, and “Knowing Your Faith: Educational Standards for the OCEC Texts.” May God bless you all!
Carole A. Buleza
Knowing Your Faith: A Firm Step in the Right Direction
“Knowing Your Faith” offers educational standards for the OCEC textbooks, grades K-5. In most parishes, children do not come regularly to Church School, and teachers can become discouraged. If you have wondered, “Just what did I teach the students this year,” this program, based on the OCEC publication, The Way, The Truth, and The Life, will help you answer that question.
The educational standards found in The Way, The Truth, and The Life, have been cross-referenced with the lessons of the current OCEC texts for grades K-5. The program will be offered free via the website. For updates on its availability, go to www.antiochian.org/christ..., or www.orthodoxed.org.
First Orthodox Institute of Southern California held in Irvine
Top: Participants gathered before the iconostas of St. Mark’s Church. Bottom, Mat. Myra Kovalak presenting, “Introduction to Teaching.”
St. Mark’s Church, Irvine California, was the site of the first Orthodox Institute of Southern California, held on September 10. Mrs. Carole Buleza, Director of the Department of Christian Education, Mat. Myra Kovalak, Director of the OCEC Department of Teacher Training, and Mr. Joseph Tershay, Diocesan Coordinator for Christian Education, presented the courses to over 40 participants, representing five local Orthodox communities.
Those in attendance were very pleased with the day, and expressed gratitude to Fr. Michael Laffoon, Kh. Donna, and Mr. Joseph Tershay for organizing the event.
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/christ...
The Department gratefully acknowledges the on going support of the Order of St. Ignatius which helps fund, in part, the programs we offer.
St. George Little Falls, NJ Hosts Training
On October 21st the OCEC teacher training event, “Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness, I” was held at St. George Parish, V. Rev. Elias Bitar, pastor, Mr. Brian Nafash, Church School Director.
The presenters were Mrs. Carole Buleza, Director of the Department of Christian Education, and V. Rev. George Albert, Diocesan Coordinator for Christian Education. Three parishes were represented at the training, and all enjoyed the wonderful Lebanese luncheon as well as the activities.
TITHING PROGRAM 2006
To “tithe” is to return to God ten percent of all we earn and receive.
The Department of Christian Education Tithing Program, “To Tithe is To Share,” is now available on the website (www.antiochian.org/christianeducation/Tithing2006.) This children’s program is mandated by the Archdiocese, and reinforces the decision of the Archdiocesan Convention of 2005 that parishes will tithe 10% of their income to the Archdiocese by 2008 for programs that support departmental efforts, and benefit the needy.
Featuring booklets that follow the liturgical year, the students spend five minutes per month with the activity on one of the pages of their books. There are four levels of booklets available, along with teacher notes: K-1, 2-3, 4-5, and a combined Middle School and High School. The children will also receive special envelopes with the program logo on them. The envelopes are meant to be reused. It is suggested that parents keep the envelopes in the family icon corner during the week, so that tithing as soon as allowance is received is made easy.
Tithing builds strong churches, and more churches. To tithe is to share; to tithe is to care. Tithing benefits all of us!
April 2004
April 2004
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: AODCE@AOL.com
The Department of Christian Education gratefully acknowledges the financial contribution of the Order of St. Ignatius which funds, in part, its operations and programs.
Sharing the Faith
Religious Education News From Around the Archdiocese
Recommended for All Church School Teachers!
Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness
Initial Teacher Certification Training
Consisting of three two-hour courses:
Introduction to Teaching, Overview of Orthodoxy, Orientation to Curriculum
Participants are asked to bring a copy (student and teacher manual) of the program they are using.
The following events have been scheduled for the spring:
* April 30-May 1, Cicero, Illinois
Info/reservation: Robert Sweiss (708)945-6969
* May 14-15, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Info/reservation: Kh. Linda Funk (306)244-4009
Please phone ahead for details and reservations.
Christian Education Workshop for Parish Life Conferences 2004
"As For Me and My Household, We Shall Serve the Lord”"
What is the role of the family, parish and diocese in the salvation of the world?
Call for Ideas
What would help you raise your child Orthodox?
As we enter the 2004-2005 school year, we will be developing new programs and resources for parenting. Do you observe your child lacking in certain aspects of the faith? What would you like to see us develop to help you be successful at your job of passing on the faith? Send your ideas to the Department.
From the Director’s Desk
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
When I first took this position, I told those to whom I addressed that improving Orthodox Christian Education hinged on the curriculum, staff, and parents, and their working together. I am pleased to report that we are now ready to address the needs of parents and home.
As a parent of two young children, I have many ideas for resources that would make my job easier. I hope that in the coming months you will brainstorm with one another about your ideas and begin sending them via email or ground mail to the department. This year's Christian Education Workshop at the Parish Life Conferences will begin to explore the aspects of Orthodox Christianity that build a strong family for Christ. Come and share your ideas there as well!
Our next Orthodox Institute will feature Sr. Magdalen of Essex, England. Look for brochures to be available at your parish life conference. I would recommend her two books to any parent! If you have a parent group at your parish, these would make excellent read and discuss materials.
The teacher certification program begun this school year has been endorsed by the Orthodox Christian Education Commission. You may attend any O.C.E.C. sponsored event at parishes of other jurisidictions, and you will receive the same training and certificate as you would from our Regional Representatives and Trainers. I urge all teachers to take the six hours of coursework--thus far every evaluation has been extremely positive, even those from professional teachers! Contact the Department if your parish would like to host an event.
May God bless you as we near Pascha!
Carole A. Buleza
Department of Christian Education Regional Coordinators
The following Regional Coordinators are available for updates on trainings and other events in your region. Please contact the Department of Christian Education for more information or see the Regional Coordinators page.
Eastern: V. Rev. George Alberts
Midwest: Robert Snyder
Western: Joseph Tershay
Can-Am: Jacquelyn Fadel
Southwest: Vasiliki (Billie) Oldziey
New England: Anna Timko-Hughes
Southeast: Betty Randolph
Resource Review
Children in the Church Today
By Sr. Magdalen
St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press
Children in the Church Today is a short book filled with practical advice that was written by Sr. Magdalen. It is based on a series of informal talks given to Orthodox Christian parents at the Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Essex, England. Sister Magdalen addresses various problems that parents might face, whether their children are toddlers or teenagers. She acknowledges that every family is unique, with its own special circumstances and challenges, but she offers suggestions that are applicable to any Christian family.
At the very heart of Sr. Magdalen's advice is the necessity of prayer: "In the upbringing of children, a knowledge of child psychology, or even a fine intuition about one's own children will not lead to eternal being unless we also 'invite' divine grace by prayer. We must pray in the morning, in the evening, and at any moment when we need God's will, and learn to discern the inspiration of God. By the practice of prayer we achieve our highest aim: to be saved, and to help our children reach eternal life." She is aware that in our busy lives today, most people have difficulty finding enough time to pray, so she suggests incorporating prayer throughout the day as we go about our daily activities. For example, a short prayer can be said when leaving or entering the house, on the way to work or school, while cooking dinner, and carrying on the rest of our tasks each day.
Other topics include the responsibility to set a good example in the way we lead our lives, and the need to raise children in a home filled with love and respect for one another. While attending church services is very important, she recognizes the delicate balance that must be maintained between the spiritual and material worlds: "Children should not be over-burdened by …being taken to every church service because the parents would like to attend. We would not wish our children to give in to laziness about attending church, but if they see church as a boring obligation, they are likely to revolt against it."
She also discusses such issues as leisure time, social life, and leading a Christian life in the teen years. Although one might assume that Sister Magdalen would think of amusements and social life as irrelevant, she states, "If we neglect this vital aspect of our life our children will either drift with the world's current, or feel stifled and rebel."
I highly recommend this book to all parents. You will find a wealth of guidance and inspiration as you meet the daunting challenges of today's society and engage in the difficult task of raising Christian children to adulthood.
Rosemary Shumski, Administrative Assistant, Department of Christian Education
Orthodox Institute 2004
Keynote Speaker:
Sr. Magdalen of England
We are very pleased that Sr. Magdalen of England has agreed to be the keynote speaker at our next Orthodox Institute. She will be addressing the difficult issues children raise in regard to the faith, and will also give guidance on how to find peace through contemplative prayer.
Resource Review
Conversations with Children: Communicating our Faith
by Sister Magdalen
Stavropegic Monastery of St. John the Baptist, Essex, England
"Conversations with Children" is a wonderful guide to teaching and parenting. While giving no pat answers, because there are none, we are given examples of various ways to convey our Faith to our children with wisdom, grace, love, and humility. It is easy to see why Sr. Magdalen's Sunday School is so successful from the free and easy exchange between her and the children. Her love and respect for the children is evident as she listens and learns from them.
Divided into three chapters, "Conversations" can be read in order or not. Each chapter has an introduction, a chapter summary with sub-categories in-between. Throughout, Sr. Magdalen uses the conversations as examples of successful and not so successful lessons. She quotes heavily from Saint Silouan the Athonite, Archimandrite Sophrony, Holy Scripture and the Church Fathers. She sets the example for us as a teacher who is continually learning and growing. Most importantly she instructs us to pray for guidance. ". . . we can pray: "Teach me what I should say and how I should speak. If it be thy will that I make no answer, inspire me to keep silent in a spirit of peace that causeth neither sorrow nor hurt to my fellow." Archimandrite Sophrony.
From these conversations we see that every teaching situation is different as every child's journey is different. Our roles as teachers and parents are to guide our children along the path to God to become "eternal persons". We do this by being role models (imperfect, but striving to do better) for the children to follow. As Sr. Magdalen points out, " . . . children must know us as real people, not merely as educators . . . If teachers are themselves grateful children of our Heavenly Father, their children will learn from this attitude more than from anything else." Elsewhere she says, "Those who speak most effectively are those whose life reflects what they teach . . ."
Never should we force our children to fit into a mold which we have created. She quotes from St. Maximus: "The mystery of salvation belongs to those who choose it, not to those who are compelled by force." They must find their way and come willingly and lovingly to God. Our role is to be there for them with God-inspired love.
Vasiliki Oldziey, Southwest Regional Coordinator
Orthodox Institute 2004, November 4-7, Antiochian Village
(Workshops begin on Thursday evening, and conclude on Saturday evening)
What did Christ save us from?
By Carole A. Buleza
On a Sunday morning a few years ago, we were getting ready to visit an Orthodox Church in the region. "Where are we going?" my daughter asked.
"To Christ our Saviour Church," I replied.
After a moment she inquired, "Mom, what's a savior?"
"A savior is someone who saves people."
"What did Christ save us from?" she asked, puzzled.
After responding, I mused over the fact that she had sung the Paschal troparion by heart for several years. She had attended church school regularly. I tried hard to remember when I knew the answer to that question, and decided I definitely knew it by age seven. I believe now that she didn't know the answer because "savior," and "salvation" are not so widely understood as when I was young and most people believed in sin. Kenneth Woodward lamented this state of our society, in a recent review of "The Passion." To make a point about western Christians who have forsaken the cross, he quoted H. Richard Neibuhr: "A God without wrath brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgment though the ministrations of a Christ without a cross."
It is not difficult to fall into that way of thinking. Our ancestors no doubt thought more about salvation than we did, especially if they were poor or oppressed. Today we enjoy so much material prosperity that it is easy to get lulled into thinking we have few needs, and only ourselves to thank for what we have.
In the Old Testament there are many stories of salvation. God saved Noah and his family. God saved His people from slavery in Egypt. God saved Daniel in the Lion's Den. Our Holy Saturday Vespers service is filled with the stories of God's mighty acts of salvation. They remind us that our God is a God of salvation-of life. They set the stage, so to speak, for the definitive act of salvation, Christ's death and resurrection, to be experienced that night.
Of all the Old Testament stories of salvation, the Passover and the Exodus, is the most significant, and Moses is the most important person. After the Pharaoh had repeatedly gone back on his promises to release the Hebrews, God told the people what to do. A lamb was to be slaughtered and hyssop dipped in its blood. The lintel and doorposts were to be sprinkled with the blood. "You shall observe this as a perpetual ordinance," said the Lord, "for yourselves and your descendants . . . When your children ask you, 'What does this rite of yours mean?' You shall reply, "This is the Passover sacrifice of the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt; when he struck down the Egyptians, he spared our houses'" (Exodus12:24, 26-27). And so it happened. The Lord slew every first-born in the land of Egypt.
The Passover ("pesach" in Hebrew) for the Jewish people set the stage for Christ, the "New Moses." The New Moses shed his own blood, not just for the Jews, but for all people, that we may pass from death to new life. "Pascha" is taken from the word, "pesach." Jesus has saved us from eternal death. Jesus has saved us for eternal life. We who are baptized have passed over from death to life.
Orthodox Christianity has kept salvation at the forefront. For us, life is about salvation-consider how many times in the Divine Liturgy we say the words "save, Savior, salvation?" Yet, how often do we reflect on our need to be saved? We say, "Lord, have mercy" during the litanies, but do we realize that without God's mercy we don't stand a chance of eternal life?
At Forgiveness Vespers my seven-year old son hesitated when it came time for the prostrations, despite the fact that he had done them for years. "What are we doing?" he asked.
"A prostration," I answered. "Jesus is our savior. He saved us from eternal death. He is our Lord and Master. We are showing with our bodies that we are His servants; this is what a servant might do in front of a king," I explained not quite so articulately in between all the going downs and getting ups. That evening, I told both children that we would be fasting. My first-grade son, finally eating lunch at school, has developed a love of corndogs. He wasn't happy to learn they were on the "no" list.
"We fast to remind ourselves that our lives depend on God, not food," I explained. He still grumbled. When they told me they were invited up the street Friday for a play date, I told them we would be attending services every Friday during Lent. Having been lax about this over the years, due in part to children who did not do well at evening services, I could understand their amazed looks.
"The Lenten services let us spend more time with God," I explained. "We need quiet time to think about how we've sinned, and to ask God to have mercy on us. Jesus has brought us from death to life eternal. He alone is our Lord and Savior. We need time to grow closer to God."
Would I say the word "salvation" to my children except for their protests in regard to Lent? Probably not. Will they hear it in the media or in school? Definitely not. Is it really necessary for them to know that life is first and foremost about salvation? Yes, even at a young age.
Let us meditate often in these days, on what salvation means to us, so that we are ready when the questions come. To paraphrase from the Lord's command to the Israelites after the Passover ". . . On this day you shall explain to your son, "This is because of what the Lord did for me when I was still a slave to sin and death." (Exodus 13:8)
105 Leader Heights Road
Suite 130
York, PA 17403
Office: (717) 747-5221
E-mail: AODCE@aol.com
Fax: (717) 747-5832
The office is staffed from 9:00-3:00 Monday through Wednesday.
September 2006
The Department gratefully acknowledges the on-going support of The Order of St. Ignatius which helps fund, in part, the programs we offer.
View PDF of last page of Newsletter - "Lesson Planning"
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.
All Things Are Possible, Through Christ
All Things Are Possible, Through Christ
by Jacqueline Fadel
At the same time I was pondering what I would like to share with you in this issue of The Word Magazine, I was reading a book written by a man who had made a successful business selling baskets which his grandfather was responsible for creating for his family’s own personal use. The man, believing in the quality of his grandfather’s work, wondered if others could grow to appreciate the craftmanship of his product. He certainly felt that the baskets showed value and quality. From the first twelve or so baskets that he took to market to sell, he developed his beliefs into a multimillion dollar business. Some years later he penned a book on how he had managed to do it. Sadly his book was published after his death and it was his daughter who was asked to write the Forward for this amazing story. What a daunting task to write about a man whom she said always challenged her as well as his employees, to “push themselves to stretch, to try new things, to meet the next challenge.” It got me thinking. Who in my life had had that kind of an effect on me and if I were asked to write a Forward for a book on that person’s life, what would I say?
First off, I guess the person I would select, would have been my grandfather, Farris. Leaving his homeland of Lebanon to come to America to make a better life for himself and subsequently for the family he would raise in this new land of opportunity along with his wife, Rachel, directed me to begin thinking about his influence on me and all those in my family. His faith was the wind that helped him sail across the ocean to this unknown land. He believed that God had directed him to this new place despite the long and arduous journey. He knew no more about America than what he had heard and yet he persevered. One of his first efforts was the planning and building of an Orthodox Church with the many men who had traveled with him from their beloved Lebanon. Their faith was the glue that held them together; for doing so was a difficult task, a "new challenge." That church, the one built in 1926, was their life. St. George, today, 80 years later, still remains as a reminder of those men and their faith. It is a symbol of all we, as Christians, can accomplish in Christ's name.
As I grew up under the influence of my grandfather, I realized how many times I faced new beginnings and found myself saying, "Dear God, please help me." I wonder how often I'd watch my grandfather serve his church. He acted as an inspiring role model, because he did so by example, without complaint and with unquestionable commitment. He never missed a Sunday or a special service. He chanted the Epistle in Arabic and served early on as a member of the first Parish Council. I can clearly remember that even during the last months of his life as he battled cancer, his body weak, he managed to make it to church to sing the responses during one of the weekday services of Holy Week. He had never missed one. In First Corinthians, Chapter 13:7-8, we read...."(Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." My grandfather lived his life believing and practicing the above. As long as he had and shared love in his daily life, he was able to go on and meet the challenges that came his way. Love for his church, his God, his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was his strength.
As I look into the future I hope and pray that we all walk boldly in today's world with love and faith. For without them it would be impossible if we hope to succeed. Not to have our faith to share with our children and the generations to follow is unthinkable. We must be the beacons of light that will bring our families to Christ by living the faith through good works and steadfastness.
Different Languages . . . Same Classroom
Different Languages . . . Same Classroom
by Anna Timko Hughes
Christian Education Coordinator, Diocese of Worcester and New England
A number of years ago, I received an interesting call from a concerned parishioner. The previous week’s bulletin had run an announcement that Church School registration would begin soon, and that parents or grandparents of all children ages four and up should register their children. Our parishioner was calling me to ask me specifically about what the children in the pre-school class would be learning this year. She was especially concerned if the children would be learning their “ABC’s.” I explained to her that although I knew the instructor often used the foundations of our alphabet in class, “A is for altar, B is for blessing,” and so forth, the primary focus of the class would be for the children to learn their prayers and other basics of our faith. After more conversation, I discovered that she had hoped our pre-school Church School class would be an introduction into English, as well as an introduction to the faith. At home, the family only spoke Arabic and the children had no exposure to English except for what they occasionally heard spoken by parishioners at our Church. With new parishioners appearing every year from countries as far different as Lebanon, Russia, Serbia, and Romania, I soon realized that this was probably not a unique case in our parish. It proved to be a very interesting Church School year.
The student, for whom the language spoken in the classroom is not their native tongue, brings some unique problems to the Church School teacher. Communication will be a major hurdle to overcome. The child’s inability to read or write in the language of the class may lead to frustration for the student as well for the instructor. Even if the student can hold a basic conversation and read aloud, he or she may not understand the material at the level of the other students in the class. The teacher must be patient when asking a non-native speaker a question--the student must first translate what the teacher has said into their native language, think about the answer, translate it back into English, and then be confident enough to answer the question. How can we make a student with these problems comfortable in a church school classroom?
In the high school where I teach, the English as A Second Language (ESL) program provides services to non-English speaking learners, transitioning them into the regular classroom environment within one to three years. The strategies used by ESL teachers could be also used be used effectively by church school teachers. Listed below are some practical methods that may be used in the church school classroom.
Wait time: Because the non-native speaker has a longer processing time, the instructor should employ a teaching tool known as “wait time.” When a question is asked, allow time to pass before allowing any student to answer the question. The instructor can say, “ Now, I don’t want you all to raise your hand immediately. Let’s think about the question and the answer . . . (and after silently counting to ten say.. ) OK, now does anyone know the answer?” This allows the student with a longer processing time to get a chance to answer the question.
Comfort Questions: Prior to asking questions to the class as a whole, privately ask the non-native speaker which question they would feel comfortable answering. When the time for asking the question come, the student will feel comfortable answering the question because they will have had time to process the answer.
Visual Cues: Especially with younger classrooms, use visual aids as much as possible. A student may not know what the word “chalice” means; however, when they see a picture of one, they will remember that this chalice was something they saw in liturgy.
Aide in the Classroom: A second teacher, aid, or parent helper who speaks the language of the student, is also a helpful, practical tool for a classroom. The aide can help translate directions or work out any problems that might occur. Be careful not be have a class within a class. Be sure to always have the aide participate with all the students in the regular language of the classroom. (We have had bi-lingual teachers in our pre-school and kindergarten classes for over 15 years.)
Think, Pair, Share: Participation and comfort levels in class can be increased by the use of a technique called “Think, Pair, Share.” With this method, students pair off, either with similar or mixed ability levels. The teacher will then ask a question or state a problem for the students to consider. The students must think about the answer or solution for a specific period of time without talking (this allows for processing time). Then the pairs will discuss their answers prior to sharing them with the entire class.
Group Work: Small group work is an excellent way to make the non-native speaker feel more comfortable and confident in class. Students are encouraged to speak with their peers and can “try out” new words that they might not be secure in using in front of the entire class. Be sure that students of varying abilities are together so that all students can learn from the experience.
Music: Our liturgical life and its music can easily be used in the classroom to bridge any gaps between students of differing cultures. Take a basic hymn like the Trisagion Hymn and have the students learn it in the language of the class as well as the language of the native speaker. It can make wonderful connections for all the students.
Don’t lower your expectations: Do not lower the expectations or level that you are teaching because non-native speakers are in a classroom. Use complex sentences and speech patterns that are appropriate for all students in the class so that students can learn these structures and imitate them. Be aware that they might not understand everything that is occurring; however, deal with the misunderstandings as they arise.
Our faith is even more beautiful by the wealth we have from the various cultures and people who are part of it. These strategies will aid the church school teacher and help the non-native speaking students to feel comfortable in the church school classroom. By addressing the needs of these unique students, we can make them see that we are all “one in Christ.” This was profoundly highlighted for me when my husband I traveled to Ireland several years ago. We attended two liturgies at Holy Annunciation Church in Dublin and they were amazing examples of what I like to call the global quality of Orthodoxy. Members of the church are from all parts of the Orthodox world. The liturgy was primarily served in Greek and English; however, during the reciting of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer, five languages were spoken simultaneously: Greek, English, Slavonic, Arabic and Romanian. One more was added for the children during the Lord’s prayer: Irish Gaelic!
We were truly all “ one in Christ” that day.
February 2006
Expanded Content from the February 2006 Issue of the Word Magazine:
- "The Question" by Betty Randolph
- "Feast of St. Ellien of Homs, February 6th" by V. Rev. George Alberts
SHARING THE FAITH From the Director’s Desk Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
With the new year, comes my renewed desire to maximize our Department’s website. On my dream list is a page for frequently asked questions, a section for parents--"Raising Children Orthodox," monthly ideas for teachers-- "Out of the Box," an expanded feastday section, and continuing education for adults.
At this point in the school year, we are looking forward to our third diocesan Institute, in San Francisco on March 17 and 18. We have had two already (Livonia, MI, and Oklahoma City, OK) as well as the yearly Archdiocesan event at the Village. (A diocesan Orthodox Institute offers between six and nine courses. The event at the Village offers 18.) Mrs. Valerie Zahirsky, Co-chair of the OCA Department of Religious Education was with us at the Village. We have spoken of our two Departments jointly hosting the Orthodox Institute events, and hopefully within a year that can become a witness to Orthodox unity.
On that note, the initial teacher training, modified to the needs of future priests, was presented at St. Tikhon’s Seminary this November. The presenters were: Kh. Anna Timko-Hughes, and myself from the Antiochian Archdiocese, and Mat. Myra Kovalak, and Matthew Hatrack, from the OCA. The training was very well received and, I hear, spurred many a class discussion that week.
I am absolutely thrilled to see such interest in being well-trained. Look for those who availed themselves of the certificate courses at the Village, on the following pages. May God guide our every endeavor in the new year!
Carole A. Buleza Pan-Orthodox Training at St. Tikhon’s Seminary in Pennsylvania. From left: Kh. Anna Timko-Hughes, Mat. Myra Kovalak, Carole Buleza, Matthew Hatrack. Upcoming Events
NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
(Pre-registration REQUIRED)
San Francisco, CA, March 17, 18
Orthodox Institute Northern California
Contact: St. Nicholas Church, (415) 648-5200
New Westminister, BC, March 17-18
Teacher Training: "Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness I"
Contact: Nada Shami, (604) 777-9180.
Department of Christian Education
Diocesan Coordinators
Please contact the Diocesan Coordinators for updates on trainings and other events in your region
New York and Washington, D.C. & Oakland, PA and the East:
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:
Kh. 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:
Kh. Anna Hughes (978)686-3274
Miami and the Southeast:
Kh. 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. Participants attended the Akathist at the gravesite of St. Raphael. Mat. Myra Kovalak presented the course, "Enriching the Classroom Experience," which is one of the three classes required for the "Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness II" Certificate. Mrs. Valerie Zahirsky, Co-Chair of the OCA Department of Christian Education, is at the far right. Mrs. Yvette Ceraso led the workshop, "Utilizing Crafts." Some crafts required natural materials, and the class enjoyed time outside on a beautiful day. V. Rev. George Alberts conducted the workshop, "Moral Issues Overview." Kh. Linda Funk presented "The Bible in the Liturgy." "At the Village this fall, participants could take coursework to receive certificates for "Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness, I and II," (also termed Teacher Training I and II) as well as a special interest certificate in Divine Liturgy Studies. Each requires six hours of coursework. Many, many teachers have already taken advantage of the opportunity to take these courses. I hope you are, or will be, among their ranks." Carole Buleza Recipients of certificates for "Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness, I," with Mat. Myra Kovalak, Chair of the OCEC Department of Teacher Training. Ms. Jackie Fadel introduced the group to Church Architecture. Recipients of certificates for "Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness, II." The chapel was full for the course, "Overview of the Divine Liturgy," presented by V. Rev. George Alberts, and Kh. Betty Randolph. Those who took this course and two others in the field, received an Advanced Certificate in Divine Liturgy. Recipients of Advanced Certificates in the field of Divine Liturgy. Fellowship at meal time--always a pleasure. For many more photos, please go to www.antiochian.org/christianeducation "Photo Gallery." Presenting Kh. Betty Randolph Coordinator for the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast
Kh. Elizabeth "Betty" Randolph is a past President of the Fellowship of St. John, Southeast Region. With 25 years in the field of education, curriculum selection, and staff development, and an M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision, Betty brings manifold resources to the task of both teaching and administration. Her husband, Fr. David, is pastor of Christ the Savior Church in Central, South Carolina. Presenting V. Rev. George Alberts Coordinator for the Diocese of Oakland, PA and the East
Fr. George Alberts, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, has been involved in Orthodox Christian Education for over 35 years. Ordained to the priesthood in 1973, he also studied Clinical Pastoral Education at Pine Rest Mental Health Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI. Fr. George has been a pastor in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and has taught sociology at the community college level. He is presently pastor at St. George Church in Danbury, Connecticut.
2005 Orthodox Institute
November 3-6, Antiochian Village
The Question
'The Question' by Betty Randolph
The Question
By Betty Randolph
Much of the Southeast suffered an ice storm this past December. The southeast does not ‘do’ ice or snow very well. We spent four days without power. The evening of the third day (Saturday) we went to stay with parishioners who had had their power restored. As we say around the dining table. Ali (a bright eleven year old) asked the question. “Miss Betty, what would happen if you didn’t go to church every Sunday? I mean, would you get in trouble or something?” I chuckled and went on to tell Ali that, “I go to church every week because I want to go. I go to work because I have to; I go to church because it is the most important thing that I do.” Ali accepted my answer but both her question and my banal answer have come back to me numerous times. Children are wonderful and are often so much more perceptive than we adults. As an educator, I have learned to listen carefully when children ask questions because they often tell us more in what they ask us than in the answers they give to our questions. Ali’s question said volumes. She spoke to me on many levels but I had answered only on the surface.
I know Ali better than I know the other students in my Church School class. Ali and her mother lived with us for a few weeks last year when there was a gap between when they had to move from their apartment and the closing date of their new house and she attends the school where I am the Principal. We interact often and on many levels. We have an open and affectionate relationship. She knows my values and life style and is at ease with me. Ali has a very quick and inquiring mind. She is often analytical and ponders things deeply. I am still reeling from her question my first week as her Church School teacher, “How can God be His own Father?” In her comfort, Ali dares to ask what she truly wants to know. It would be well to know all of our students the way I know Ali.
Several things were obvious in Ali’s question about going to Church. It is easy to see that she sees church as a ‘should’ and that she knows I go to church every Sunday but does not understand ‘why’, and to her there might be a penalty involved if I did not go.
I suspect this type of thinking is all too common for many of us. We all have different stories from our youth about ‘having’ to go to church. The church and our parents had numerous ways to get us there. I remember a young man in our church who told me he could not understand why one of his peers attended so sporadically. He said that he was raised to understand that “You go to Church on Sunday; it is just what you do.” I found it interesting that he never told me ‘why’; you go. Sadly, I suspect that man of us have still not figured out why we should want to go. As I answered Ali’s question, I gave no reason of substance to help her understand.
As I pondered this I came to some conclusions that I want to share. I am an educator and as such I have lots of experience is communicating facts. My school has very high student achievement (lots of facts) and is ranked as one of the best in the state. I am proud of this. We spend considerable planning, time, and effort in teaching children how to reason and to organize information. This is critical in the realm of secular education, but Church School needs to be different. There is an additional element in Christian Education and Ali’s question shows me how I am missing the mark.
When Christian Education is only about facts we miss an important dimension. We miss the mystical and without the mystical we cannot teach the fullness of our faith. It is so much easier to just teach ‘facts’ – ‘facts’ are cut and dried and quite measurable. We think we must understand everything and often try to act as if we do. Too often this deception becomes our reality. The truth is we cannot understand everything because it is just too complex for our limited minds. Still, we continue in our intellectual pride. We stand with our Curriculum Guide in hand, and hide our real selves behind it. As the get older our students often turn away as they understand the shallowness of our words, when we cannot give an answer, when we do not answer the questions that they are afraid to ask. Many of us are uncomfortable sharing the spiritual sides of our lives. We would rather be thought of a smart, as logically reasoning, as clear thinkers, and we are not really comfortable with paradox. Yet what is our faith if not permeated with paradox?
When we were at St. Andrew Church in Eustis, Florida, we had a young family that used come when they visited family several times a year. They had a beautiful Mongoloid daughter who would gaze and smile so intensely when she was brought up for communion. Someone said that they thought she must see the angels around us and it seemed so. I personally wondered if she could see the gathered Communion of Saints who worship with us. But do we share things like this with our students? Or do we think them sentimental? Have you never turned around in church just to check who was there because you felt the presence so strongly? Were you aware of the Communion of Saints worshiping with us or did you toss it off as imagination? Do you share your experience or do you think your students (or their parents) might judge your behavior rather strange or emotional, etc.? If we just stick with the facts we can measure, can we really share our faith?
There are some within the Orthodox Church today who believe that we do not need Church School . They think that children will just absorb Orthodoxy (they way they did) by attending Liturgy. Fr. David has a deep appreciation of classical music that I admire. I doubt he understands the mechanics of music because the only type of instrument he learned to play was the drums. Still he deeply understands and deeply appreciates music. When I questioned this he told me that in the upstate New York school system where he grew up the school regularly played classical pieces on the public address system and the students were required to ‘just listen’. He does not remember being taught about music; he simply absorbed music and learned to appreciate it. However, appreciation is not enough when it comes to our faith.
Others within our church want to model our Church Schools after what they knew in the Protestant Churches they left. You learn a lot of ‘facts’ in a Protestant Sunday School class. You mostly learn ‘facts’ about Bible stories (we will not even talk about who’s interpretation these ‘facts’ might be). It suffices to say that most information packaged is in nice understandable bundles of information and memory verses. It is all about learning. If you know enough ‘facts’ about the Bible and about God (as the particular denomination understands Him) then you will know God. If this were true, Church School would be much easier. ‘Facts’ are easier but they not enough when it comes to our faith.
We must be careful not to fall to either extreme because Orthodoxy is far too complex to fit in either extreme. Our children need to understand the basis of their faith but they must also understand the mystery. They cannot understand the mystery unless we show them it is all around them. We must allow them to recognize it. They must know it is okay to embrace mystery even if they do not understand. This reasoning goes counter to all our culture communicates, it goes counter to what children hear in school and see in the media. We must teach them the difference between magic and mystery. Magic is trivial. Mystery illustrates our inability to even begin to comprehend on God’s plane; it is vast and embracing. Children need to know that truth is truth. Truth is not relative; truth is eternal. .They are not going to learn these things in school- not even in a good school like mine. This is a Church/family responsibility and if I am missing the mark, I expect others are also.
Children and older folks appear to be more open than others to spiritual experience. Maybe this is really because the young have not yet learned to hide (or reject) their experiences and the elderly may no longer care what we really think. We really cannot know but I expect we, as adults, unwittingly extinguish the spiritual experiences of the young. Maybe this is because we cannot explain their experiences and it is not acceptable to say “I do not know” or perhaps we just do not think about it. As teachers, we must become persons that young people can ask what they really want to know without fear of being patronized. We must become ‘safe’ persons for them to share their experiences.
My mother called me this week. That is no small thing. By the rules in my family, my mother does not call me- I call my mother. When her number came up on the caller ID, I felt a little uneasy—if my mother was calling me, then something must be wrong. The conversation began with, “Betty, I have to talk to someone about this, please do not tell me I’m crazy, I think your sister would tell me I’m crazy." She told me what she had been praying about and I relaxed into listening mode as my mother shared a ‘spiritual experience." She only asked if I thought it could be real, she did not ask for me to judge her experience. .Therefore I could honestly say that, “Yes, it could be real." When I told this she replied that she knew that I would understand and that because of her experience she was “sure that there is something after this life." I could only thank God for His grace as my mother had a very difficult year with the death of two of her children and now she was beginning to heal. I am thankful that my mother thinks me to be a ‘safe’ person to share her experiences. I need to work harder to be a ‘safe’ person for the students in my Church School class.
I need to consciously and deliberately begin to share my own spiritual experience in ways they may understand. I need to share my prayer life and tell my students about how our daughter told me about the angels shortly before she died. And that sometimes when I enter the empty church I know that I am not really alone and that miracles still happen though not always they way we want them to happen. I will tell them that sometimes we really do hear the voice of God in our hearts and what that is like. Most importantly, I will listen very prayerfully as they ask questions and tread ever so lightly as they begin to dare to share their experience.
Only after a safe and open spiritual environment has been established can my class begin to prayerfully walk through the mystery and awe of the Divine Liturgy and talk about what is happening spiritually (not just what we or the priest are doing but what is happening around us). Only after a safe and open spiritual environment has been established will it make sense to tell my students that when the priest enters the royal doors with the Gospel book, he opens the doors of the Kingdom of Heaven for all of us. Only after a safe and open spiritual environment has been established will we be able to talk about the reality of the Communion of Saints or what really happens during Confession (not just what we do during Confession). Only after a safe and open spiritual environment has been established will they begin to see that it does not matter that we do not understand how the bread and wine is changed in to the body and blood of Jesus- all that matters is that it does happen. Only after a safe and open spiritual environment has been established will Ali and my other students begin to understand that God does really come among us during the Divine Liturgy.
Then Ali will know the reason I go to Church each Sunday.
Feast of St. Ellien of Homs, February 6th
Feast of St. Ellien of Homs, February 6th
By V. Rev. George Alberts
On February 6th each year we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Ellien of Homs, Syria. St. Ellien accepted the Christian faith even though his father and family were not Christians. Because of this, he and his family were at odds with one another.
When St. Ellien became a Christian, he took stock of the talents that God had given him.
He heard the Gospel of our Lord concerning the parable of talents and decided to use his talents to benefit others. Saint Ellien is described by his biographers in this way:
“Having set his hopes in Jesus Christ, he was not tempted by the glory of this ephemeral world. He prayed day and night, practiced fasting, visited prisoners and comforted them. He gave out large alms of what remained in excess in his father’s house. Ellien studied and practiced medicine skillfully. He strived to cure the diseases of both the body and soul. He cured sick people by Christ’s grace and the faith of the Apostles, while preaching God’s Word and urging them to follow the path of virtue. ‘It is not’, he says, ‘with medicines that you will be cured of your illness nor thanks to your idols which drive to perdition all those who kneel before them, but by the power of Jesus Christ’s name who has been crucified by the Jews under Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem, who has been buried and resuscitated on the third day.’”
Because of his mastery of the healing arts and the fact that he not only effectively healed the body, but also the soul, he stirred up jealousy in the hearts of his fellow physicians who were not followers of Christ. There was a great persecution of Christians at that time and they used his Christian faith against him. First they appealed to his father who held a powerful position in the city. They asked him to force his son to stop what he was doing, to give up his practice of medicine and stop healing in the name of Jesus Christ. But St. Ellien refused to listen to these men or his father knowing that he would have to give an account before His Heavenly Master as to what he did with the many talents God had given him. When they found that he would not listen to them or his father, they appealed to the Governor of Homs to imprison St. Ellien along with the Bishop of Homs, Silvanus, the Deacon Luke, and the Reader Mocime.
Saint Ellien felt unworthy and overjoyed to be in their company and he kissed and reverenced the chains that bound them. When these men were about to be put to death, St. Ellien prayed to God and angel appeared to him and said: “Do not be grieved, O Ellien, a crown has been prepared for you. You will conquer your enemies and the devil’s tricks. Do not fear their torture for, I am with you!”
St. Ellien suffered through many hardships. He suffered imprisonment and tortures, all along preaching and healing those who were sick. Finally he was put to death at the hands of his own father who had twelve long nails driven into his head. St. Ellien was left for dead. He did not die there. When his executioners left, he managed to crawl to a cave owned by a potter. When the potter came to the cave and discovered the body of St. Ellien he took it by night to the church of the Apostles and St. Barbara where he was buried at the East of the Altar.
Later, a church dedicated to St. Ellien was built on the spot of the cave where he died and his body was put in a marble coffin. Many miracles attributed to St. Ellien’s intercessions occurred after his death and they continue to occur to this day. Prior to his being put to death, St. Ellien himself blessed those who celebrate his Feast Day as he offered this prayer to God:
“O my Lord Jesus Christ, hear my prayer and accept my request on this hour. Give peace to whoever remembers me on the day of my martyrdom and forgive his sins. Protect him from his enemies’ snares and break up the devil’s power. Defend your lambs against the wolves!”
There are only two churches dedicated to this great saint: the original church of St. Elian in Homs, Syria, and the church of St. Ellien in Brownsville, PA. St. Ellien is often also referred to as St. Julian of Homs. Today many bear his name in either of these two forms. St. Ellien is considered a Holy Unmercenary, a physician who did not take money for his cures of both body and soul. Many who are sick continue to ask his intercessions and are often anointed with oil blessed with a special prayer on his feast day.
On his feast day, let us pray the words of his Troparion: O Saint clothed in strife and the healing physician, Ellien, intercede with our merciful God, to grant forgiveness of sins to our souls.
December 2005
Expanded Content from the December 2005 Issue of the Word Magazine:
Sharing the Faith
News from the Department of Christian Education & Tithing
From the Director’s Desk
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In this issue of the newsletter, we bring you wonderful words from our two featured diocesan coordiators, Bob Snyder, and Billie Oldziey. As our space is limited here, we have "teased" you with a portion of their articles so that you will go onto the website and read them in their entirety. We are so blessed to have such gifted and spiritual volunteer staff members to serve you.
Mini-Institutes. The "Orthodox Institute Midwest," and the "Orthodox Institute MidAmerica" were successful. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera for the Midwest Institute (Livonia); however you can see photos from the MidAmerica Insitute (Oklahoma City) in this issue. We were blessed to have both diocesan hierarchs present, Bishop Mark, of Toledo, and Bishop Basil, of Wichita. The MidAmerica Institute was held in conjunction with the diocesan Fall Gathering, upon the request of Bishop Basil. I believe this venue is excellent and urge other dioceses to consider the idea. The staff and I were also busy at teacher trainings around the Archdiocese. Please enjoy photos in this issue, and go to the website "Photo Gallery" for many more.
Finally, if you have not received a mailing for "To Tithe is To Love," the web is the place to visit. The initial program, which was received late and not implemented by the majority of parishes, is to be used this year. we are asking that the first of the four sessions be in Advent, with the remaining three every four to six weeks thereafter. A Blessed Nativity to you and yours!
Carole A Buleza Department of Christian Education Regional Coordinators Please contact the Regional Representatives for updates on trainings and other events in your region
Eastern: V. Rev. George Alberts (203)798-1771 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. York, Pennsylvania A Festival for Saints
On October 9, 2005. The children were asked to dress as a saint or Biblical figure and to know one fact about their saint to share with everyone. The social hall was decorated with a "heavenly" theme, where lunch was served. A story about a saint was read, and books on saints were displayed. The children answered questions about saints, did a craft, and played games. As they left, each child was given a treat bag, along with saints activities to take home.
For more details, go to www.antiochian.org/christ... and click on Saints Festival.
Introducing Mr. Robert Snyder Coordinator for the
Robert Snyder is the Religious Education Coordinator for the Midwest Region; a position he has held for the last fifteen years. He has been actively engaged in Christian education for the last thirty years as a High School teacher, a teen youth advisor, and, currently, as an instructor in Adult Christian Education. During this time, Robert has conducted many Christian Education Workshops, and written numerous articles on Christian Education for The Word and the OCEC Christian Education newsletter. He is known in his parish of St. George, Akron, Ohio, for his work as a highly successful youth advisor (achieving, among others, "Teen Club of the Year" award), as a past president of the Parish Council and since 1996, as the recipient of the Protsyngelous Ellis Khouri Merit Award. Introducing Mrs. Vasiliki Oldziey Coordinator for the
Vasiliki "Billie" Oldziey holds a B.A. in Humanities and Dance and a certificate in Movement Analysis. She is currently working as a substitute teacher and a vision and hearing screener for the Austin, Texas school district. She has taught church school at St. Elias in Austin for the past 18 years and is the director of the church school program. She was the founding editor of the quarterly publication, The Children’s Magazine for Orthodox Christian Children. For the past five years, she has been studying iconography with master iconographer, Vladislav Andrejev and writing icons for private prayer. In the past, she served as the Southwest Region Writing Festival Coordinator and led workshops for church school teachers. Teacher Training Workshops Across the Archdiocese St. Elias Church
Top to Bottom: 1. The participants with Carole Buleza, and Abby Wackenheim, presenters. 2. The Icon of St. Raphael written by Fr. Paul Alberts, pastor. 3. Carole Buleza with Carol Haddad, Church School Director, and Fr. Paul Alberts. 4. Classroom door showing that each class has a patron saint. Orthodox Institute MidAmerica
St. Elijah Church
Top to Bottom: 1. The participants with Billie Oldziey and Sandy Mitchell. 2. Bishop Basil visiting a session. 3. Billie Oldziey teaching "Overview of Orthodoxy." 4. The courtyard garden dedicated to the saints of North America. 5. A discplay box detailing the history of the parish along with photos. 6. Learning how to make palm crosses in "Utilizing Crafts." Teacher Training Workshop St. John the Evangelist Church
Top to Bottom: 1. The Church, 2. Kh. Linda Funk and participants, 3. participants, 4. Kh. Linda presenting certificates. Teacher Training Workshop St. Philip’s Church
by Joanne Olsen, Church School Director
One afternoon, our parish priest, Father Elias Ferzli, invited me to come to our church to meet Father Bernard Funk, the pastor from St. Vincent of Lerins Antiochian Orthodox Church in Saskatoon. Upon arrival, I had the opportunity not only to meet Father Bernard, but his lovely wife Linda as well. Through conversation, Linda spoke about the Church School teacher workshops that she presented through our archdiocese. Father Elias and I looked upon this as a wonderful opportunity for our church. I am a strong believer in the old saying, "Our children are our future", and I was very excited about the workshop and the promise it held for our children. The better informed and educated we are as people, the better educators we will become. I was looking forward to meeting other Church School teachers within our city and to the gathering and sharing of ideas.
On June 3 and June 4, 2005 the first ever Church School Teacher’s Workshop was held at St. Philip’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Edmonton, Alberta. The workshop was very well attended with 26 teachers represented from 5 different jurisdictions over the two days. Some of the topics covered over the 2 days included: Orthodoxy, lesson planning, and curriculum and resources. This was a hands-on workshop that enabled us to interact with others teaching similar ages. The topics covered definitely will enhance the quality of teaching in our churches.
It truly was a blessing to have so many teachers that share one faith under one roof committed to learning more to enrich the lives of our children.
Midwest: Robert Snyder (330)493-4029
Western: Joseph Tershay (831)335-8350
and for Northwest, Linda Funk (306)934-1695
Can-Am: Jacquelyn Fadel (716)282-8243
Southwest: Vasiliki Oldziey (512)459-6264
New England: Anna Hughes (978)686-3274
Southeast: Betty Randolph (864)639-2204
Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest
Diocese of Wichita and MidAmerica
Sylvania, Ohio
October 8, 2005
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
October 21-22, 2005
Eagle River, Alaska
July 15-16, 2005
Edmonton, Alberta
June 3-4, 2005
Graduation Day
Graduation Day
Robert J. Snyder
Graduation Day- we look forward to it with great anticipation. It’s a rite of passage from adolescence to adulthood. This rite of passage maybe true for Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. Most great teachers will tell you that the schooling received prior to graduation is only a preparation for “learning to learn” and a lifetime of learning. And so it must be with Christian education. Unfortunately the goals of excellence, continuing education and self improvement seem to be missing from our attitude when it comes to Christian Education.
The age of graduation from church school differs from parish to parish. Survey indicate that it happens somewhere in the teen years. In my experience it peaks just prior to receiving a driver’s license. Teachers and students manage to endure religious education programs until fifteen or so. Unfortunately the attitude that “ Now I am out of Junior High (or High School) so I don’t have to go to church school classes any more- that’s for kids”, extends beyond the classroom to other areas of Christian life: attending liturgy, fasting, and praying.
It’s easy to see why our children fall into this trap. An obvious reason is young people do not see adults going to class, studying in the home or anything that resembles continuing Christian education. From their observation religious education is for “children only.” For most, the message of our Christian education programs and graduation ceremonies is that we have learned it all by the age of sixteen. When adult classes are offered, a rarity, they are poorly attended. Our Orthodox laity is lacking in knowledge of their faith. When asked about question concerning their faith, they remember what they can from their childhood and then recommend asking a priest. It is difficult to convince others to believe in a faith that we ourselves cannot proclaim. That is not to say that we must be able to answer lofty theological questions; but, we must certainly be able to speak clearly about what the Orthodox faith proclaims.
So what about Graduation Day? The emphasis on graduation should not indicate an end but a beginning or a proficiency to pass from one stage of Christian education to another. Everything that happens in a parish- good and bad- is an educational opportunity. Every one is a teacher and everyone is a learner within the context of the church community. So let’s talk about the next stage- Adult Christian Education.
Christian education directed toward children is a relatively recent phenomenon. The Sunday School Movement, started in 1780 in Gloucester, England by Robert Raikes for poor illiterate children, was transplanted from England to America in the late 1700’s. In 1824 the American Sunday School Union was founded. For the first time in history an emphasis was placed on children’s Biblical education. Prior to that, Christian education was primarily directed toward adults. Along the way the Christian education model was turned upside down with most of our educational activity and instructional life occurring prior to the age of sixteen, when we have the least amount of life experiences to relate them to. The least activity and instruction comes later in life when life experience- parenthood, death of spouses, childbirth, etc, are the most relevant and the most fertile ground for mature Christian education to take place. Because we have reduced Christianity to a childs’ message, adults often go through life with an immature understanding of their faith. The important point here is that people learn developmentally throughout their lives. This statement applies most of all to Christianity because life experience is one of our most important texts.
Early Christian education was for adults. Jesus, The Great Teacher, taught adults. For the first several centuries the primary method of religious education was provide by catechetical classes for adults with children being instructed in the traditions of the faith in the home by their parents and through modeling.
What are the advantages to teaching adults? Joan Cronin’s research on adult education provides valuable insights. Adults carry with them an awareness of cultural, ethnic, religious differences, and life experiences as resources. Adults, physically and mentally, are capable of a wide variety of learning activities and opportunities. The most effective means of Christian education is direct experience and adults are best suited to direct experience teachable moments, because of their mobility and independence. Adults can be involved in planning and setting up their own learning goals. Adults learn well with peer groups.
There are two primary methods for teaching adults – the Impressional Method- in which content or information is transmitted. This is typical of Lectures or Bible Studies. It utilizes lecture or group facilitator as a primary method of teaching. The effectiveness of such a setting is dependent on the skill of the lecturer or group leader. Its weakness is the lack of active participation. The other method employed with adults is the Expressional Method. The Expressional Method involves the transmission of feelings and emotion as opposed to information. Expressional teaching techniques employ role playing, group discussion, direct experience or creative writing. This method is best for adults because they can draw on a wealth of their own life experiences to share with each other.
What do adults want in a Christian education program? Firstly, adults want practical needs related programs that they can apply to their daily lives. Secondly, one of the advantages of working with adults is that they are independent and self motivated. Therefore, programs for adults can involve self-directed learning and/or independent study. Thirdly, time is of a premium with adults because of jobs and children, the program must be flexible in nature to accommodate their needs.
Adults like to be involved in planning and setting their learning goals. Adult teachers need to recognize that the adult teacher, to be effective, becomes a coach or enabler rather than a teacher in the traditional sense- “If you want to know you must exercise your own intellect.” The adult teacher needs to get beyond content to their real meaning. The secret is to teach principals, in such a way, as to generate those principals in the lives of students. This changes the focus of the learner from “What” to think to “How” to think. Fro Christians to graduate and grow, they need to be able to think and act independent of their teacher.
One of the great advantages to an adult program is the wide range of curriculum. It can be a movie, play, book of the Bible, a social issue or a church problem. With my class I have discussed the Divine Liturgy, embryonic stem cell research ( as part of a module on The Holy Spirit (the Lord and Giver of Life), the history of the Orthodox Church in America, Love, the Creed, Romans, etc. Currently an adult group in the church has requested a six week Greeter Program. The opportunities for teaching and lessons are myriad.
How should an adult Christian education program be organized? The most common method is by age group, with seven to nine year intervals- 18-25, 26-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-65, 65 and over. An additional age grouping is 15 year spans of major age groups- seniors, young adults, young middle adults, and middle adults. In addition, churches sometime group by life experience groups- seniors, young parents, adult singles, and divorced. Both methods have merit.
Each day of our Christian must be lived to acquire the Holy Spirit and become the likeness of God (theosis). This is accomplished through prayer, living Christ in our daily lives, and learning more about our faith. Each day of our lives is a new day in Christian school until our graduation into life eternal. Adult education programs should play an important part in giving meaning to wherever we are in our life experience providing a Christian context for our final Graduation- to life eternal.
Icons - God with us in our Homes
Icons - God with us in our Homes
Vasiliki (Billie) Oldziey, DOWAMA Christian Education Coordinator
As Orthodox Christians, we have been taught that our homes are “little churches.” This has been true since the early church of the Apostles, when the first services were held in the homes of the faithful. St. Paul extends greetings to his fellow Christians in Romans 16:5 “Greetings also to the church that meets in their house.” And if this is to be true, then our “little churches” will have not only the Holy Bible, candles to light, incense to burn, and icons; lots and lots of icons.
Growing up, icons were always a part of my life. In a corner of the bedroom I shared with my older sister were icons of Christ with the Theotokos and icons of our patron saints. Each night before we went to sleep, my mom would light the electric “kandili” in front of the icons. Once it was lit, I could see the faces of the Theotokos and Christ glowing with warmth in the soft light. Then, and only then, could I go to sleep, knowing I was safe in their presence.
At my Yiayia and Papou’s house, my Yiayia had a prayer alcove where she said her daily prayers. I can still see her kneeling at her little altar, in her nightgown and robe, surrounded floor to ceiling by the icons she had brought with her from Greece. I would hide and listen to her whisper her prayers in Greek. She would turn to me and invite me to join her, but I hung back waiting for her to finish. After she went to bed, I would quietly go into the alcove and sit on the kneeling stool. This was my time to “dialogue” with the saints and, especially, with the Theotokos, who always seemed so friendly and understanding about whatever I had on my mind. In that alcove, I was safe, welcomed and peaceful, surrounded by so many loving faces.
In the autobiographical account of his coming to America, A Place for Us, Nicholas Gage, tells of the comfort and safety he too felt in the presence of icons. Nine year-old Nicholas had been raised in a very remote and primitive mountain village in Greece during WWII, when he and his older sisters escaped from the Communists. With the help of relatives, they made their way to Boston to live with their estranged father. Everything that they saw and heard in Boston was foreign to them. Then their father takes them to Sunday Divine Liturgy. Once inside the church, they are at home. They are greeted by the familiar smell of the church incense, they light their candles and hear the familiar words of the hymns sung in Greek and, of course, they recognize the “ascetic faces of the saints” in the icons all around them. Nicholas’ father volunteers him to lead the congregation in the “Our Father” at the appropriate time. He stands at the solea, frightened and alone. But he looks up and sees the familiar face of Christ Pantocrater looking down on him. Nicholas recalls how back home the Pantocrater always seemed to be frowning at him for all of his misdeeds. But now His look was one of love and compassion. And so, reassured by this familiar face, he happily recites the “Our Father”.
Even now icons in our homes have meaning for our children. Susie Sobchak, the church school director at St. George Church in Houston, shares her family’s Hurricane Rita evacuation experience. “We had our girls pack for the evacuation. It was left to their discretion to pack items of importance to them should we come back and find the house all torn up. Amongst their stuffed animals and toys, they took their icons of their saints off the walls of their room and packed them (without any prompts from us). We took all of our smaller icon cards that we had and taped them to the windows facing out. We especially looked for all of our St. Nicholas ones so that he might calm the storm for us. And God was gracious and spared us. It was heartwarming to see that the children know what 'treasures' to value.”
As Christian Education coordinator, I have had the opportunity to visit the parishes around our diocese and I have been welcomed into many homes. At almost every home, the focal point has been their icons. Almost without fail, a story comes with the special icons, whether it is the circumstances under which the icon was obtained or a special healing or grace that came with the icon.
Icons in our homes, our “little churches,” remind us that God is with us, always. They remind us to pray. They are witnesses to Who it is that is “The Way, They Truth and The Life.” They are examples of the path we must follow if we are to live a life of godliness. Icons are the perfect counterpoint to the many dark and ungodly images that invade our homes through the electronic media. And if we give them a prominent enough place in our homes and our lives, those images imprint themselves on our hearts, minds and souls. They will not only be “windows into heaven”, but the safe haven in the storm, the place where we can go and feel welcomed. We should make every effort to recreate the “little church” in our homes, for the sake of our children and ourselves. Just as God’s name should be the first word we speak when we wake and the last word before we go to sleep, the first and last image of the day should be Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, His saints and His uncreated life-giving light.
September 2005
Expanded Content from the September 2005 Issue of the Word Magazine:
SHARING THE FAITH
NEWS FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION & TITHING
From the Directors’ Desk
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We have worked together, learned together and together, have made a large difference for the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese. To whom am I referring? To the staff of the Department of Christian Education.
With this issue, we are introducing staff members and will feature their thoughts in their essays. Each newsletter will spotlight another two members. All of us are grateful for the support of Metropolitan PHILIP and our hierarchs, and for the wonderful clergy and church school staff whom we serve. I am pleased to announce that the Department has provided our coordinators with their own database which will make it easier to see and meet the needs of our parishes.
Events. We are looking forward to two Orthodox Institutes, an abridged version, Orthodox Institute MidAmerica, in Oklahoma City, (as part of the Fall Gathering), October 21-22; and of course, the 2005 Orthodox Institute at Antiochian Village. Teacher Certification trainings have also been scheduled. Please see the inside pages for further details.
“To Tithe is To Love,” is coming again, with planned implementation beginning in Advent. This year we are asking that the first of the four sessions be in Advent, with the remaining three every four to six weeks thereafter.
Also, we have a section for Feastdays on the website. To date, we have standup centerpieces that show and explain the icon, and provide the troparion of the great feasts. Finally, a reminder that the weekly gospel is available in five graded-levels, with discussion questions, on our website. Look for “Antiochian Gospel Program,” on the left sidebar.
May God bless you and those whom you teach!
Carole A. Buleza
Department of Christian Education
Regional Coordinators
Please contact the Regional Representatives for updates on trainings and other events in your region
Eastern: V. Rev. George Alberts (203)798-1771
Midwest: Robert Snyder (330)493-4029
Western: Joseph Tershay (831)335-8350
and for Northwest, Linda Funk (306)934-1695
Can-Am: Jacquelyn Fadel (716)282-8243
Southwest: Vasiliki Oldziey (512)459-6264
New England: Anna Hughes (978)686-3274
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.
Don’t miss these opportunities!
The 2005
Orthodox Institute
Antiochian Village
Keynote Speaker:
His Grace, Bishop THOMAS
November 3-6
Offering Initial and Advanced
Teacher Certification
and this year featuring courses
related to the Divine Liturgy
Introducing Children to the Divine Liturgy, Overview of the Divine Liturgy,
Church Architecture,
The Bible in the Liturgy,
and Introducing Liturgical Music
in the Church School.
Visit the website for
further information, or contact DCE@antiochian.org
2005
Orthodox Institute*
MidAmerica
Keynote Speaker:
His Grace, Bishop BASIL
October 21-22
St. Elijah Church
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Offering Initial Teacher Certification
Advanced Teacher Certification
and other courses
For further information contact: Vasiliki Oldziey
vas@austin.rr.com
*Abridged version--six to nine courses
Teacher Certification
The Teacher Certification Program, a joint effort by this office and the O.C.E.C., has been very, very well received. We have been asked to offer advanced certificates as well. Those who have their initial certification may now take three additional courses for an Advanced Certificate. A fee of $20 will cover notebook of materials and lunch. The designation of B indicates basic courses offered, A indicates advanced courses offered. Pre-registration REQUIRED. Training events scheduled thus far:
Aug 6 (B & A)
St. Mary Church,
Livonia, MI
(As part of the Orthodox Institute Midwest)
Aug 19/20 (B)
Franklin, TN
Sept 9/10 (B)
St. Theodosius Cathedral
Cleveland, OH
Contact: Paul Pancrace/Pat (216-741-1310)
September 23/24 (B)
St. Joseph Orthodox Church Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 668-3071
Sept 30/Oct 1 (B & A)
St. Nicholas OCA
Bethlehem, PA 18017-3120
(610) 867-0402
Contact: Matthew Hatrak (610-770-6509) mhatrak@pdq.net
Oct 22 (B & A)
St. Elijah Church B & A
Oklahoma City, OK
(405)755-7804
As part of the Orthodox Institute MidAmerica
Contact: Billie Oldziey (512)459-6264 vas@austin.rr.com
Oct 28/29 (B & A)
Holy Resurrection Church
Wayne, NJ 07470-3976
(973) 696-6572
Contact: Stephanie Burk
(973-402-2343) fredericburk@msn.com
Nov 4/5 (B & A)
Antiochian Village
Bolivar, PA 15923
(724)238-3677
As part of the Orthodox Institute. Contact DCE Office: Rosemary Shumski - dce@antiochian.org, or (717)747-5221
Resource Review
By Rosemary Shumski
Oriental Trading Company
Those of us who teach Sunday school to young students often face the dilemma, “What craft can the children do this week??!” A coloring page, of course, can be used as a last resort, but if you’re like me, you prefer using a variety of arts and crafts that are easy, fun, and inexpensive.
With a little planning, Oriental Trading Company can come to the rescue. While its catalogs are a well-known source for novelty items used at parties and school fairs, Oriental Trading Company also publishes specialty catalogs filled with Christian-related crafts, along with small toys, stickers, rewards and incentives with a Christian theme.
Most craft kits can be purchased by the dozen, making the cost of each craft in some cases as little as 33 cents each. Some examples in this price range include foam craft kits depicting Biblical themes such as “Jonah and the whale,” and “Daniel and the lion’s den.” There are also many other inexpensive crafts from which to choose: picture frames, magnets, pins, suncatchers, and unfinished wooden crosses, just to name a few. If your church sponsors a Vacation Bible School, you will also find things like water bottles, visors, medallions, and ribbons designed specifically for this purpose.
Other items can be used as resources for the church school from year to year. I purchased a felt board with figures of Christ, the myrrh bearers, and angels depicting the empty tomb to reinforce a lesson on Pascha. Cloth hand puppets in a variety of styles are sold by the dozen and would be a useful addition to Bible story time.
Oriental Trading Company can be contacted at 1-800-228-0475 for customer service and 1-800-228-2269 to place an order. Visit their website at www.orientaltrading.com
Introducing our newest staff member,
Kh. Linda Funk
Coordinator for the Diocese of Eagle River and the Northwest
Linda Funk recently joined the Christian Education Department as Coordinator for the new diocese of Eagle River and the Northwest, with the blessings of His Grace, Bishop Joseph. Kh. Linda is a teacher of piano. Her husband, Fr. Bernard, is the priest at St. Vincent of Lerins Orthodox Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. They have 4 adult children. Linda is also an OCEC trainer, and assisted Myra Kovalak, Director of the OCEC Department of Teacher Training, in revising the course outlines for the workshop, “Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness.”
Linda has coordinated trainings in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Edmonton, Alberta, and most recently, in Eagle River, Alaska.She looks forward to serving the new diocese, and is willing and able to conduct workshops upon request.
Introducing . . .
Joseph Tershay, Western Region Coordinator
Joseph Tershay, a member of St. Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Santa Cruz, CA, has been the Western Region Religious Coordinator for over ten years. He is the author of The Wonder of It All, the pre-school manual published by OCEC in 1982, as well as many articles on cooperative learning for The Word and other archdiocesan newsletters.
Joe has brought nearly thirty years of teaching experience to bear on the field of Christian Education. After graduating from San Francisco State University with a BA in History, an MA in Education and a High School teaching credential, Joseph first taught history in a local high school before shifting his focus from the content to the process of learning; he qualified in the Montessori method and obtained credentials in Early Childhood, Special Education, and as a Resource Specialist with the Alum Rock School District, San Jose, CA, for the past sixteen years. He has also worked for many years as a Church School Superintendent and is co-author of the Church School Directors Manual.
A Small Child's Cry
'A Small Child's Cry' by Joseph Tershay
A Small Child's Cry
“Please love me so that I may inherit the kingdom of heaven!”
By Joseph Tershay
Orthodox parents are given by God the responsibility of raising their children as 0rthodox Christians. This task to be sure, is a difficult one. Parents must make a commitment not only to become active in the Church but also make one to the religious education of their children. The primary role models are the parents. Children’s beliefs, likes, dislikes and attitudes are usually learned from their parents and other adults to which, they look to for guidance. It is understandable when a parent has a distorted view or understanding of the Orthodox Christian life or of Orthodoxy in general, their children will usually make those views their own. Children see in their parents an example for their own Christian life later on. What the parent does, the child does. We all have heard, time and time again, that the primary responsibility rests on the parent. In my opinion the responsibility to bring up the child in the Orthodox faith not only rests on the parent but also on the parish community.
In a sense, every parish in the Orthodox Church is part of the child’s extended family. Every Orthodox Christian no matter what jurisdiction is part of that extended family. We are all God’s children, united in Him and Him in us. He is our Father, making every member of the Church our brothers and sisters. It is the responsibility of this extended family to make sure that all its young people become active members of that family. A positive and loving atmosphere must prevail. Like any family there will be differences, but those differences need to be worked out in a loving and peaceful way. It is the Church community’s obligation to share with the parents, in a joint effort the religious education of their children. All parish members are teachers be it as direct teaching, advisors, or role models. It is this support that parents need for the formation of an Orthodox Life Style for their children.
Children pick up clues and impressions from the environment on how to behave and what to believe. Parish communities that are unfriendly or are in battle arguing, squabbling is made up of unhappy families and children become turned off. They don’t see the Church as a nice place, so the children develop a lack of trust. Children eventually may leave the Church when they are old enough. Children see themselves in relationship to their parents, peers and community. A person’s self-concept is a very important part of how one grows, behaves, thinks and most important how they see God. As role models and religious educators parents and the Church community have an important task in front of them which will determine the spiritual life of their children. If children see God and Church as an important part of their parent’s life, it will make a great impact on them when they grow older.
It is their self-concept which helps them to perceive the world. Self-concept can be seen as two levels of mind, the conscious and subconscious. The conscious level works much like a judge, collecting and evaluating information. The subconscious level functions much like a computer it stores information and makes it available at a later date. The subconscious never attempts to sort out fact from fiction or truth from misperception. When information flows from the subconscious, it comes forth as fact. Therefore all misconceptions eventually become truth and are treated as fact by the conscious level of thinking.
The development of Orthodox Christian thinking is a serious undertaking for all of us to consider. The souls of our children deserve the full attention of all of us, parents, priests, community and religious educators. We all have an important role to play in the religious development of each child.
Children work very hard at trying to understand their parents as well as their environment. They are great observers, but horrible interpreters. This is understandable considering their immature brains and limited experience. This is why we as adult role models have to be aware of what images and concepts we are conveying to the children around us. The bad part is when we become adults and look back, all of our perceptions, both accurate and inaccurate becomes our reality. A child who has a perception that his parents prefer not going to church or does not go on a regular basis will say, “Church and God must not be important”
What was once his mistaken idea has now become his truth. How many Orthodox Christians do you know who have the same misperceptions about their church ?
We must remember children are constantly observing, interpreting and storing information into the subconscious. These billions of thoughts and experiences later become the truth which runs and directs his or her life. The challenge is to help a child to interpret what he or she sees and hears in ways that can be used later as proof that he or she is capable, loveable and responsible. This is why it’s important that children attend Liturgy and religious education programs. This hopefully helps clear up misperceptions about the Church and God. In the home, as well as in the church community many adults have negative misconceptions about children. We consider them not old enough to have any responsibility. We are constantly telling them to keep quiet, we do not listen to them because we think they have nothing to say. The child stores this information in their subconscious: “I am not capable, lovable and responsible. I am not important, If I’m not important than God does not love me”.
I often wonder what mistaken beliefs and interpretations have been stored in the subconscious minds of youngsters who constantly make poor decisions, involve themselves in self destructive behaviors such as drugs or turning then from learning. It makes me wonder how many of these people have misinterpreted their parent’s love in the following ways:
- Some parents show love by hovering over and rescuing their children from the harsh world. This is often interpreted by the child as, “My parents know that I could never handle the world without help. I am not capable”.
- Some parents show love through control. These parents constantly tell children how to lead their lives. This is often interpreted as, “My parents know that I am not capable of thinking for myself of being responsible. I am not capable”. This sometimes results in the child rebelling against his parents, leaving home early, and developing a poor self concept about life, the church and God.
- Some parents show love by always being available with advice. They allow their children to make many of their own decisions. This is often interpreted as, “My parents know that I can think for myself”. These children grow up to respect authority, the Church and God.
The Church community outside of the child’s immediate family can help strengthen a sense of trust in the children. The task is awesome as the children will often be coming in contact with the church community from situations which are not trustworthy. Some of the Church communities are not trustworthy themselves. How many of us have had the sad experience of closing down programs for children because of indifference, lack of interest or other priorities. We must realize the outside world is typically far less trustworthy than the family.
A consequence for this lack of trust in the Church community is an intensification of anxiety in the individual child or adult. Whenever we become anxious we become self conscious. When our consciousness of self is too heightened, our awareness of others and their needs are greatly diminished. Change in an environment can have profound implication to a child’s self-consciousness and self-esteem. We are fortunate that in the Orthodox Church its Liturgy, icons, music and form of worship appeal to small children because it's unchanging. A child can identify can predict what will happen next. The sounds, smell and movements are all familiar. A child feels secure and has a trust in the Liturgy of the Church because after a time he/she knows what to expect and knows how to act. But again children are active learners and they are attuned to everything in the environment. Children are very social, they are aware of the smile, the frown, the friendly gesture, and the unfriendly, in the Church community. The children who do not feel secure and are anxious have developed untrustworthiness for the Church Community.
In the church school programs, parishes must find individuals who are loving, trustworthy and love children. Formal education and training should be a secondary concern the parish can help those individuals get the training that is necessary. One of the functions of the Department of Christian Education is to provide the necessary training. Not many parishes take advantage of the Departments resources and experts to train church school personal.
Church school teachers and parishioners will not love and should not love children as parents do. However there are different kinds of love. A child learns to love by being loved by others. Isn’t this the foundation of faith? How can a person love God if that person does not know how to love? Many children in our society lead very unhappy lives because their parents do not realize how important it is to satisfy their children’s need for love, for friendship, and for stimulation. A prime qualification for a church school teacher should be the ability to love. This requirement should stand above all others. They must love children unconditionally, to be able to communicate to them, without patronizing and without strings attached. A teacher, who commands because he is strong and expects a child to obey because he is weak, need to rethink why he is in the classroom. A teacher and parishioners should show themselves to a child as a loving and enlightened guide assisting the child along the way, leading to the kingdom of heaven.
Love, patience, understanding and respect are the key ingredients needed to develop a child’s self-concept. It is those who are in the child’s environment who have the greatest impact. Adults are the role models, which children will later emulate, as Christ is our role model and whom we strive to emulate. In the Gospel of St. Mark (10: 13-16), we are all reminded that Jesus Christ wants the children to come to Him.
How many of you wondered why parents can’t control their child? How many of you can’t concentrate and say to yourself, “I cannot pray or pay attention to the Liturgy because this child is making noises or sliding across the pew in front of me. They should leave the child at home if they cannot control him”. Does this sound familiar? I’ve seen many parishioners literally pushed out of shape because children were making to much noise or were just fussy. I have heard complaints to the parish priest concerning fussy children. I’ve heard priest talking to parents about controlling their small child.
If I were a child I would say:
I can’t help myself if I make noise in church. I don’t understand what’s going on but I am learning. I cannot learn things by sitting still. I have to move. I have a lot of energy. I hear the prayers. I hear the music. I smell the incense. I see the priest and the people praying, but I don’t know what it all means but I am learning. My mind is like a sponge. I absorb things that are happening in the environment. I see, hear, smell, and sometimes touch things. I have a great capacity to learn. I don’t know what it means but I will someday. As any learner I will imitate what everyone else is doing but I don’t know what it means. My parents have not told me very much but I am willing to listen. I’m sorry that I am too young to understand. I am sorry that my parents and I are in a struggle. I need my independence but I still need my parents love and affection. I need to learn to trust my parents, the parish community and God. I need to develop a positive attitude towards the environment in which I live. If I am to trust that God loves me, I first must learn to love. I can only learn to love if I am loved. If you look at me with a frown on your face, if you scold me, if you pick me up and shake me, if you spank me, if your are impatient with me, if you are unpleasant toward me, if you argue in front of me, if you tell me to shut up, if you tell me children should be seen but not heard, if you do all those things, I will not like to go to church. I will not be learning what love is about. I will have no trust in you. How can I trust God? God does not love me.
If you see me looking at your smile, I will smile. If I am making too much noise pick me up and hug me and tell me what a fine person I am. I have a short attention span, you can show me an icon or show me what you are reading or tell me about it. I don’t understand what is going on but I want to learn. I am too small to see anything, pick me up and let me look at everyone. Give me something to occupy myself with like a book, especially one with lots of pictures. If I misbehave put your hand on my head and smile. I have difficulty in controlling myself. Sometimes I act the way I do because I want to be independent but you have to set the rules. You are in charge, but you must control me in a loving way. I need to be loved if I am to learn what love is about. When I learn to love I will love God, because I have learned to trust in Him. God loves me because I am a unique person who is loved by everyone in the church community. So please love me. Please give me the tools I need to love. Teach me what love is. I can only learn though your example. You are the role model. Please don’t teach me not to love. I need you for my salvation. I need you to teach me about Jesus Christ and his church. I need to be part of the community. Please don’t drive me away with your indifference and non-Christian behavior. I will follow your example. I have only two choices: Trust my parents, the church community and God or mistrust my parents, the church community and God.
Faithful Teachers and Faithful Students
Faithful Teachers And Faithful Students
By Kh. Linda Funk
My older sister was born without her left hand. She has accomplished more things with one hand than I have with two! But she and I would both say that two hands are better than one. The Orthodox Christian Education Commission under SCOBA says that, in its new curriculum, it holds out two hands to every student: firm knowledge of the faith, and spiritual maturity.
The first hand, knowledge of our faith, helps keep us on the right path. It can correct our errors and point us farther along in the right direction. It is essential. We live our life surrounded and protected by it. It encompasses everything we do, but it is not our life.
The other hand, spiritual maturity, is the goal of our life. It is probably what all of us hope to impart to those for whom we are responsible. ‘Teaching’ spiritual maturity is different from teaching doctrine, though. It is far more fluid. It is unique in every situation and with every person. It is not something that organization-lovers, like me, do naturally.
Sr. Magdalen of St. John the Baptist Monastery in Essex, England was one of the keynote speakers at the Orthodox Institute at Antiochian Village last November. She gave us wonderful insight into the fluidity and joy of teaching. She talked about it being a meeting together, not only of minds, but also of hearts and bodies. Even when we have prepared a lesson, we must be in a state of love and prayer for a true meeting of persons. When we are together, we must listen with both ears--one ear open to the person, and the other open to God. It is about life and grace, not formulas. There are no recipes, she said, except to be in the Holy Spirit and in inner prayer and love.
Each of us in a holy community is a teacher, whether we are designated as such or not. We transmit the faith in countless ways, many of which are non-verbal. Inner prayer and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit are essential in all our dealings. These, however, do not start at the moment we encounter one another. They start in the quietness of our own icon corners and prayer closets, and incubate during the repetition of our daily tasks.
The title of the basic and advanced teacher workshops that the OCEC offers is, “Educating Ourselves and Our Children in Godliness.” It’s a good title because it is an implicit reminder that, in reality, we are both teachers and students. Our teaching must flow out of a grace-filled life and reflect that we, ourselves, are on the path of salvation and godliness. May God help all of us to be both faithful teachers and faithful students.
April 2005
SHARING THE FAITH
NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION & TITHING
From the Directors’ Desk
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We gathered at Antiochian Village for our Departmentalstaff meeting in early February. It is at this meeting every year that we plan the Orthodox Institute. Having four years of successful Institutes at Antiochian Village, I proposed that we begin "planting" the Institute, in abridged form, in other regions/dioceses. I am pleased to say thatthe staff agreed!
It's Twins! In 2005, we will initiate two new OrthodoxInstitutes. One will be in Livonia, Michigan. The second will be in Oklahoma City, as part of the Fall Gathering, October 21-22. These two events will begin on a Friday evening with a keynote speech, and offer between six and nine courses from 9:00 until 5:00 on Saturday. Course listings will be available in May.
The 2005 Orthodox Institute. The full OrthodoxInstitute, at Antiochian Village, is November 4-7. Our keynote speaker will be His Grace, Bishop THOMAS. This year, the Institute will offer several courses related to the Divine Liturgy.
We are thrilled that each of the Institutes will have ahierarch delivering the keynote. May God bless our new hierarchs, and our new efforts!
Carole Buleza
Advanced Certificates Are Coming!
On the success of the initial certification program, andupon request, an advanced program is being developed.
Most likely, the three courses required will be: Enhancing the Classroom Experience, Utilizing Crafts, and Moral
Issues of Youth. Those who have taken these courses already will receive credit. Special Interest Certificates
(three courses within a subject area) are also being developed.
To Tithe is To Love
Tithing kits were sent to 242 parishes. The tithingprogram is to continue beyond the Sundays when the lessons are used. We are hoping our children will make the commitment to tithe for the rest of their lives! A new kit with new materials will be available byearly fall. If you did not use your kit this year due to the late arrival of materials, you may use it in 2005. In
order to improve this program, we need to know your observations; please return the evaluation form.
Department of Christian Education
Regional Coordinators
Please contact the Regional Representatives for updates on trainings and other events in your region
Eastern: V. Rev. George Alberts (203)798-1771
Midwest: Robert Snyder (330)493-4029
Western: Joseph Tershay (831)335-8350
Can-Am: Jacquelyn Fadel (716)282-8243
Southwest: Vasiliki (Billie) Oldziey (512)459-6264
New England: Anna Timko-Hughes (978)686-3274
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/christ...
The Department of Christian Education gratefully acknowledges the financial contribution of the Order of St. Ignatius which funds, in part, its operations and programs.
Check out the Antiochian Gospel Program!
In October 2004, the Department began offering an educational resource for both parents and teachers, in particular, for teachers in small church schools. The Gospel for each Sunday is provided on a single page handout, along with questions to encourage discussion. There are five pages each week, designated for Preschool, K-2, Grades 3-5, Middle School, and High School. The pages for the younger children feature a line art graphic to color, and a paraphrased version of the Gospel. Beginning with Grades 3-5, the pages present the Gospel as it will be heard.
Designed to be used by parents on the Saturday before, or Sunday morning, the resource helps the children listen more attentively to the Gospel and aids their understanding. Those who have small church schools, and desire a common lesson for all children, can use the Gospel of the day as the topic, and with all five pages in hand, ask appropriate discussion questions according to the age of each child. The younger children can be dismissed to color the line art, during which time a more substantial discussion can be held with the older students.
Assisting the project with insightful questions for the older students, is Ms. Rachel Schroeder, a graduate of St. Vladimir's Seminary, and the daughter of Fr. James and Kh. Linda Ellison. Rachel is preparing to begin doctoral studies in Theology. The pages can be found at www.antiochian.org/christianeducation, click on Antiochian Gospel Program.
Don't miss these opportunities!
The 2005
Orthodox Institute
Antiochian Village
Keynote Speaker:
His Grace Bishop THOMAS
November 3-6
Offering Initial Teacher Certification
Advanced Teacher Certification
and this year featuring courses related to the Divine Liturgy
Liturgical Terms, Church Architecture, Praying with Children in Church and Teaching Liturgical Music in the Church School
Further information and course listings will be available by May 1, 2005
Contact the Department at DCE@antiochian.org
Introduction to Contemporary Bioethical Issues
The Christian Education Workshop at the Parish Life Conferences will endeavor to lay out the issues that are problematic for Orthodox Christians, in an introductory manner. The purpose of the course is to provide additional background for teachers who are using The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Anywho teach older students in the Church School are welcome.
2005 Orthodox Institute*
Midwest
Keynote Speaker:
His Grace Bishop MARK
August 5-6
St. Mary Church
Livonia, Michigan
Offering Initial Teacher Certification
Advanced Teacher Certification and other courses
Further information and course listings will be available May 1, 2005
Contact: Fr. Romanos or Josh Poletta via thebellsofstmary.org
*Abridged version--six to nine courses
2005 Orthodox Institute*
MidAmerica
Keynote Speaker:
His Grace Bishop BASIL
October 21-22St.
Elijah Church
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Offering Initial Teacher Certification
Advanced Teacher Certification and other courses
Further information and course listings will be available May 1, 2005
Contact: Vasiliki Billie Oldzieyvas@austin.rr.com
*Abridged version--six to nine courses
"Oh, I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'"
Orthodox Christians have the difficult task of walking two roads, or perhaps more accurately, living in two "time zones" simultaneously. As you know by now, our Pascha this year is five weeks after western Easter. This means that while everyone is eating their Easter ham, we are still eating lentils, or potatoes, or spaghetti. While secular folks are celebrating the birth of new chicks, and western Christians are doing their best to celebrate the risen Lord (withoutthe benefit of a rigorous Lent), we are in an extended period of reflection and repentance, aided by fasting and giving.
However, even if we celebrate Pascha in May, we may stillbe living in only one time zone and not fully appreciating our faith. The two "time zones" to which I refer are kronos and kairos. Kronos is the time zone in which days add up to a week, weeks add up to a month, and years are numbered ad infinitum. Kairos, on the other hand, is the word that indicates a state "beyond time." It has been described as time so enriched by meaning and significance that watches and clocks are unwelcome. It is the time we are invited into while the Cherubic Hymn ("Let us put aside all earthly cares") is sung during the Divine Liturgy. It is the time which has ever-existed, and it is eternity.
If you find yourself thinking about when the Great Fast,or any of the other three lenten periods, will begin, you are possibly living in two time zones. If, in addition, the date January 6 is significant to you, or March 25, or September 14, you are well on your way to a dual-existence. Finally, if a Saturday evening comes and you are at Vespers, or at least wishing you were, you may indeed be living in kairos and simultaneously in kronos.
Living the liturgical year -- the fasts and feasts ofOrthodox Christianity -- coupled with tithing, keeps us ever vigilant over our lives as they remind us that what is "earthly," as in material goods and money, pales in comparison to the glory of God's presence.
When we fast, we are called back to the path of salvationfrom which we may have strayed. We spend more time in God's house during the weeknight services. We slow down our lives, cut back from television, radio and other distractions, so we can hear God's voice. We focus on what is truly
important, namely, our salvation. We pray, fast, and give. The last of the three is perhaps the most difficult, and yet the most important, for if we have faith, we must activate it by our works. "What good is it my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?" (James 2:14). We must always be ready to give. We can find the spirit of generosity within by meditating on this truth: We already have all we need, in Christ Jesus our Lord, and the Holy Spirit.
If you have ever made a retreat, done Real Break, or vis-ited an orphanage for a while, you probably took very little with you and realized how little you need. The Porgy and Bess song expresses this truth in very simple terms: "Oh, I got plenty o' nuttin', and nuttin's plenty for me." The first time I heard the song, I mistakenly thought the second line was: "And nuttin's got plenty of me." Although the original lyric is good, I wish that phrase would have shown up in the song to remind us that, indeed, possessions can possess the owner.
Let us appreciate the Great Fast, that calls us back to ourtrue home, with God. Let us spiritually release all our money and possessions; and as proof of our freed spirits, and in thanksgiving to God, let us offer a tithe. Let us pray and fast, slow down the pace of our lives, and be observant in order to see when we can help another. Let us live with kindness, and the holy spirit of generosity. Let us have "plenty o' nuttin'" so that we can have all we really need.
by Carole Buleza