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
