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!
