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