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Training Events

Find information about Christian Education training events.

Holy Land Exhibit

This exhibit has been retired and the elements for display are no longer available.

By Carole A. Buleza

"Scripture Through the Lens of the Holy Land" is an exhibit is available for rental from the Antiochian Archdiocese Department of Christian Education (see below for details). The exhibit is dedicated to His Eminence Metropolitan Philip for his continuing support of Orthodox Christian Education, and to all in the Archdiocese whose roots in the Middle East have given the Antiochian Department of Christian Education the particular privilege of presenting the Holy Land in word and image. Participants at the 2011 Orthodox Institute, "Scripture Through the Lens of the Holy Land" were the first to view the exhibit prepared especially for that event.

The Feast of the Annunciation

The Feast of the Annunciation is a very important feast of the Faith. Did you ever stop and think about why that is true? Why is the Annunciation one of the twelve great feasts of the Church? Let us take a moment to think about what happened at the Annunciation, so that we can be better prepared to lead our family in celebrating this great feast.

When we stop and think about it, we can see that each part of this event is notable of its own accord, and together, all are essential for our salvation. It began when the Angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she had been chosen by God to bear His Son.The fact that this angel appeared shows that the event was significant, for he is sent whenever God has an important message to convey. God's selection of Mary to become the Theotokos is a critical part of the event, since she was a holy young lady who had consecrated her life to God's service. Her agreement, "Let it be to me as you say," is a vitally important piece as well, because it simultaneously demonstrates Mary's humility before God and her willingness to obey. Also noteworthy is the fact that this event marks the moment in history when a person became the first Christian, for after the Annunciation, the Theotokos truly had Christ living within her.

Lenten Resources for Parents and Sunday Church School Teachers

For many more resources throughout Great Lent and beyond, be sure to follow ​the Ascetic Life of Motherhood blog. These resources were originally gathered by the Antiochian Orthodox Department of Christian Education in February, 2019.

  1. Ancient Faith Radio offers many podcasts to help you prepare for Lent, including this one. 
  2. Chart idea to help Children embrace Lent
  3. Coloring for Lent and Pascha:
    "Color Your Way Into Pascha" offers pages for little ones to color, from the Triumph of Orthodoxy through Pentecost. 
    "Color Your Way Through Holy Week" offers coloring pages for each day of Holy Week. 
  4. A wide variety of Lenten activities, including printable charts that can help children keep track of where they are during Great Lent can be found here. 

The Great Feasts: The Life of Our Lord

By Carole Buleza

The Twelve Great Feasts and Pascha, taken together, are an overview of the life of our Lord. While it is important for our children to know about His miracles and teachings, it is just as important for them to know the main events of His life story. Our salvation resides in His life. Furthermore, just as we are baptized into Him, our own story—our life—must rest on His. Jesus' life comprises the "foundational story" for Christians. A foundational story answers the ultimate questions of life, death and why we are here, and guides our thoughts, values, and actions. The Christian story provides answers to all these questions and gives us the virtues of faith, hope, and love that, even if not recognized as such, influence our attitudes and actions and curb the anxiety that comes from unexpected events and uncertain times. It is a strong foundation.

Visit The Great Feasts: the Life of Our Lord Program for curriculum and supplementary resources

 

Upcoming Teacher Development Workshops: Nov. 9 and 16

Deacon Elisha Long will present a two-session workshop at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral​ in Wichita, Kansas on Saturday, November 9. After celebrating a Divine Liturgy for the Feast of St. Nektarios, participants will enjoy the enrichment course "Promise & Preparation: Finding Christ in the Old Testament." Dn. Elisha will explore the Old Testament as it relates to revealing Christ. Following a provided lunch, Dn. Elisha will discuss classroom strategies and approaches to help your students learn and retain what is being taught. Cost is $25 per person.

For more information, contact Vasiliki Oldziey at vasiliki1@cox.net. ​

Find Our Coordinators At Your PLC!!

The Department of Christian Education will have a representative at each PLC this summer. If you are interested in speaking with one of our Coordinators or Associates, please let us know. Do you need training for your teachers? Have questions about curriculum or current issues? Our staff is available for trainings and workshops at your Parish. Speak to our staff at a PLC or look for their contact information under Staff and Volunteers on our website.

Here's where you'll find us:

DOWAMA – Dn. Elisha Long will hold a workshop entitled "Lessons From the Front Lines – exploring the dynamics of the current generation of youth" – on Friday, June 21 from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. Don't miss this discussion! Also, Vasiliki Oldziey will be staffing our information table at various times and speaking to different groups throughout the conference. Stop by to discuss your needs, ask questions or just find out what the AODCE is up to!

Church School Teacher Development Workshop

St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, West St. Paul, MN, will welcome AODCE Director Carole Buleza to conduct a teacher development workshop this spring. Please join us on Saturday, May 4, 2019, to learn more about serving your parish community as a church school teacher or substitute.

Courses for the day include "Overview of Orthodoxy," during which we’ll review the foundational doctrines of our Faith and interactive ways of teaching our children as they grow. "New Methods in Teaching" will have us discussing lesson planning, productive classroom environments and brain-based learning. Our final course, "Moral Issues," will allow us to explore topics our older youth face and the Orthodox perspective on each.

To register for this event, please see the attached documents or contact Christina Worrall at worral.christina@gmail.com or 571-334-2306.

If you are interested in hosting a teacher training for your parish, please contact Leslie Atherholt at aodce.events@gmail.com or 717-747-5221.

Registration form
Download the flier
Course descriptions
Workshop schedule

Department of Christian Education Provides Training Across the U.S.

The Antiochian Department of Christian Education coordinates with local parishes throughout the United States and Canada who wish to host training events for their teachers. The following is a recap of those held in the Fall of 2018. If you would like to host a training in your parish for teachers or Church School Directors, please contact Leslie at the Department of Christian Education 717-747-5221, or aodce.events@gmail.com.

St. Elijah Orthodox Church, Oklahoma City, OK hosted a training for 17 teachers on Saturday, August 18. Diocese of Wichita and Middle America Coordinator Vasiliki Oldziey presented "Using the Classical Trivium to Engage Students" and "The Theotokos: Your Elevator Apologia for our Veneration of the Theotokos." Holy Ascension, Norman, OK teachers also participated.

Teacher Training Opportunities for the Diocese of Charleston and NY

Holy Cross Orthodox Church, Linthicum, MD

Holy Cross Orthodox Church will host “Educating Ourselves & Our Children in Godliness” on Saturday, November 17, 2018. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. In this advanced training, participants will gain confidence and knowledge, with courses for both elementary and middle school/high school teachers. Courses will address learning styles, teaching strategies, adolescent needs, and moral issues.

Register online here! Cost for the day is $10 and includes the training and materials, plus breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Please email Deborah at kdakthomas@verizon.net or call 410-694-0542 with questions.

New and experienced teachers are welcome! There is something for everyone.

Holy Cross training flyer
Course descriptions
Schedule

Teacher Training Opportunities – Diocese of Charleston/NY

The Department of Christian Education announces two confirmed trainings this fall for the Diocese of Charleston/NY. Please contact the host parish to take advantage of these opportunities to provide support and training for your teachers! New and experienced teachers are welcome! There is something for everyone.

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Bridgeport, CT

St. Nicholas will host “Educating Ourselves & Our Children in Godliness” on Saturday, September 29, 2018. The event will run from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. with courses for both elementary and middle school/high school teachers. Trainers Fr. George Alberts and Mat. Anna Timko-Hughes will teach courses that address learning styles, teaching strategies, adolescent needs and moral issues. Contact Fr. Romanos Malouf for further information at frromanos@gmail.com or call 203-209-6725.

Bridgeport Training Flyer (PDF)
Bridgeport Training Registration (PDF)

St. George Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ

St. George is planning a customized training entitled “Enhancing Learning Outcomes” for Saturday, October 6, 2018.

Department Training and Event Updates, August 2018

Coordinators for the Department of Christian Education recently attended the Parish Life Conferences throughout the Archdiocese. Each coordinator networked with parishioners and priests to offer the services of the department to provide training for teachers, or church school directors. Our trainers can also instruct in areas of Adult Education and through other theologically inspiring topics. Many excellent opportunities are currently in the planning stage and most will take place this fall. If you are interested in attending any of these sessions, contact your coordinator or the Department for more information. All are welcome!

Watch our website or like our Facebook page to get up-to-date information on all of these opportunities in various dioceses. If you are interested in hosting a training at your parish, please contact Leslie Atherholt at aodce. events@gmail.com or 717-747-5221.

CHARLESTON/NY

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Bridgeport, CT will host a Teacher Training II workshop for their teachers. Tentative date is Saturday, Sept. 29. Other parishes and jurisdictions are welcome to attend. St. George, Little Falls, NJ will host a custom program for novice and advanced teachers for all the Orthodox churches in the area. This training is tentatively scheduled for October 20. Holy Cross Orthodox Church in Linthicum, MD will host a Teacher Training II workshop, tentatively scheduled in early November.

Find Us At The PLC!!

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Department of Christian Education will have a representative at each PLC this summer. If you are interested in speaking with one of our Coordinators or Associates, please let us know. Do you need training for your teachers? Have questions about curriculum or current issues? Our staff is available for trainings and workshops at your Parish. Speak to our staff at a PLC or look for their contact information under Staff and Volunteers on our website.

Here’s where you’ll find us:

DOWAMA – Vasiliki Oldziey will be staffing our information table at various times and speaking to different groups throughout the conference. Stop by to discuss your needs, ask questions or just find out what the AODCE is up to!

MIAMI – Our Director Carole Buleza will be at the conference with a display and information table and a workshop on Thursday, June 14. She’ll be discussing Fr. Anthony Bloom’s book “Churchianity vs. Christianity.” Come discover the difference between being a churchgoer and being a Christian.

Summer Program for Young Orthodox Scholars

St. Basil Center for Orthodox Thought and Culture at Eastern University invites juniors and seniors in high school to apply for The Summer Program for Young Orthodox Scholars (SPYOS). SPYOS provides promising high school and transfer students the opportunity to earn college credit while challenging themselves intellectually and spiritually. Program dates are July 6-14, 2018. For more information or to apply visit the website.

Confronting Dragons: Christian Hope in Tolkien and Fantasy Literature

J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth appears at once breathtakingly beautiful yet violently marred. The sublime emerges from Tolkien’s world having been created by a beauty-loving God; the scar from the rebellion of the angelic ranks against God. This rebellion is played out among the peoples of Middle-earth—Elves, Dwarves, and Men—who languish in a twilight world enduring, in Tolkien’s words, “a long defeat.” Despite this, Tolkien did not create a world destined for a tragic end, but rather one filled with hope. Christians likewise confront dragons in many forms and at many turns. What do the elves, dwarves, and men and women of Middle-earth teach us about the life of faith and virtue? How can we as Christians profit from reading fantastic and mythic literature? And should Christians mimic Tolkien by creating their own worlds that are both unreal but also thoroughly Christian? These questions (and many more) will be the focus of "Confronting Dragons: Christian Hope in Tolkien and Fantasy Literature.”

Concluding a Busy Training Season

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Department of Christian Education has had a busy 2017 training season. Eight churches hosted training sessions throughout the United States and Canada and included other area parishes.

St. Paul Orthodox Church, Brier, Washington hosted a Teacher Training II workshop on September 9 with Departmental Associates Sandy Mitchell and Anne Beach. Twelve elementary teachers and eight middle school/high school teachers profited from the one-day workshop.

St. Elias Cathedral, Ottawa, Ontario also hosted a Teacher Training II workshop on Saturday, September 23. Diocesan Coordinators Fr. Christopher Rigden-Briscall and Robert Snyder had 16 elementary teachers and 12 middle school/high school teachers in attendance. Fr. Christopher, the Diocesan Coordinator for Ottawa, Eastern Canada and Upstate New York, also hosted a training at his home parish, Christ the Saviour in Waterloo, Ontario for five of his new teachers.

Little Falls Hosts Teacher Training II

An Advanced Teacher Training Workshop will take place on Saturday, November 18, 2017, at St. George Orthodox Church, in Little Falls, NJ. This workshop, lead by Carole Buleza and Fr. George Alberts, is designed for current and future teachers and assistant teachers who desire advanced training for working in the religious education classroom. Participants may choose the elementary or middle school/high school track. The day will begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.

Below please find a flyer to post in your church, a registration form and course descriptions. Registration deadline is Monday, November 6. Please address questions regarding this training to Claire Levash, St. George Church,  churchschool@stgeorgenj.com.
 
If you are interested in hosting a training in your parish, please contact Leslie at 717-747-5221 or at aodce.events@gmail.com.

Teacher Training II Events Planned

The Department of Christian Education will be offering two Teacher Training II courses this fall. Teacher Training II is divided into elementary and middle school/high school sessions, each cover techniques and tools appropriate to the ages you are teaching. Classes include "Enriching the Classroom Experience," "Child Development and the Exceptional Learner," "Creative Expressions, Adolescent Needs and Moral Issues."

Saint Paul Orthodox Church, Brier, WA will host and sponsor a TTII session on Saturday, September 9. Saint Elias Orthodox Cathedral, Ottawa, will host and sponsor a TTII session on Saturday, September 23. If you would like to attend or for more information, please contact Leslie Atherholt at aodce.events@gmail.com. She will put you in touch with the coordinator at each venue.

It’s time for Vacation Church School!

 

 

 

 
Do you already have your Parish’s Vacation Church School scheduled? Are you trying to find the right program? If you’re still searching, visit The Orthodox Marketplace online! The Twelve Great Feasts VCS Curriculum from the Greek Archdiocese has everything you need to host a robust, interactive summer program for the youth in your Parish.

Another resource for planning and implementing a summer Vacation Church School, from our friends at the OCA, is the article "New Life in the Summer: Summer Church School." Here you’ll find an article helpful in building a program, with suggested themes.

UPDATE: The Pan-Orthodox Continuing Education Conference at Antiochian Village

It’s been almost two years since we made a change to our yearly November event, The Orthodox Institute for Continuing Education in the Faith. First was the name change (see above), then a scheduling change—the event at Antiochian Village would occur every other year (the odd-numbered years) with regional Pan-Orthodox Continuing Education Conferences for the alternate years.

Indeed, last year we held three regional events, as well as other trainings. However, please note: we will NOT be sponsoring the Antiochian Village Conference this year. Budgetary constraints have made this decision necessary.

We will have money available for the Diocesan Coordinators to come to parishes for trainings. For information on hosting, please contact Leslie Atherholt, Staff Assistant for Special Projects, at the Department: aodce.events@gmail.com

Review of 2016 Pan-Orthodox Continuing Education Conferences

The Department of Christian Education expanded training by taking "the show on the road" this year. Building on the success of "The Orthodox Institute for Continuing Education in the Faith," the department hosted three major events and several smaller trainings during the year with the goal of making training and spiritual enrichment accessible to those who cannot travel to Antiochian Village.

The first of our Pan-Orthodox Continuing Education Conferences was hosted by St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, Ottawa, Ontario, on Friday evening and Saturday, September 23-24. Matushka Jennifer Mosher, a doctoral student in Christian Education, spoke on "Christian Education: Forming the Whole Person." We thank Fr. Ghattas Hajal, Pastor, and Kelly Hamwi, Church School Director, for arranging this event with Fr. Christopher Rigden-Briscall, Department Coordinator. At this conference, 28 teachers completed Teacher Training I, 4 individuals completed the Church School Director courses and 8 completed Mat. Jenny's theme track. Participants came from the Greek, Romanian and Antiochian churches in the area.

Teacher Training in Lakewood, CO + November 4-5, 2016

The Light of Christ Illuminath All: 
Reading The Old Testament in the Light of Christ
A weekend of fellowship and learning sponsored by the Antiochian Archdiocese Department of Christian Education
Download brochure (PDF)

Fri.-Sat., November 4-5, 2016
St. John Chrysostom Mission
9300 West Dartmouth Place, Lakewood, CO 80227
V. Rev. Seraphim Gisetti
Phone: 720-938-1302
Email, Fr. Seraphim: vrevsg@comcast.net
Email, Vasiliki Oldziey: vasiliki1@cox.net

Join Dn. Elisha Long and Vasiliki Oldziey for their presentation on Christ in the Old Testament. Dn. Elisha will help you discover how Christ was proclaimed in the stories of the Old Testament. He will also introduce his curriculum "Promise and Preparation." Vasiliki will provide a teacher training workshop on Saturday morning.

"Expressing our Faith": Interview with Rosemary Shumski About the Festivals

Rosemary Shumski is the Administrative Assistant for the Department of Christian Education. As a part of her duties, she serves as the Departmental Assistant for the Creative Festivals and is responsible for coordinating the Festivals on the Archdiocesan level. Rosemary has also served as the Photography Coordinator for the Eastern Dioceses since 2002. 

Rosemary is a graduate of Bloomsburg University and was previously employed in business management. Married to Dn. John Shumski and the mother of three grown children, Rosemary is active at St. John Chrysostom Orthodox Church in York, PA, where she has taught Sunday School for seventeen years. Recently, Antiochian.org asked her to tell us more about our Archdiocese's unique and successful Creative Festivals program.

Tell us about this year's theme for the Festivals: why was it chosen, and what is its significance for the Church today?

The 2016 Creative Festivals theme is “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”(Joshua 24:15) This is the first theme chosen by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph.

Report from the 2015 Orthodox Institute for Continuing Education

The 2015 Orthodox Institute for Continuing Education in the Faith hosted its 14th Annual Conference November 5-8 at Antiochian Village. This year's theme, "Adult Education: Building on the Foundation of Faith" attracted more than ninety participants - both clergy and laity. Together we explored the necessary and sometimes challenging need for adult education in the parish.

Kevin Allen opened the Institute with the keynote address: "Adult Education is Crucial to the Parish." He convincingly made his point with statistics, quotations and personal experience. "Why does the Orthodox Church need continuing adult education ministries across our pan-Orthodox landscape?" he began.

Annual Orthodox Institute for Continuing Education Hosts 14th Annual Conference

Participants in the course, "Basic Principles of Adult Education"Participants in the course, "Basic Principles of Adult Education"The 2015 Orthodox Institute for Continuing Education in the Faith hosted its 14th Annual Conference from November 5–8 at Antiochian Village. This year’s theme, “Adult Education: Building on the Foundation of Faith” attracted more than ninety participants - both clergy and laity. Participants explored the necessary and sometimes challenging need for adult education in the parish.

Kevin Allen, Christian education and popular Ancient Faith Radio host, opened the Institute with the Keynote Address: “Adult Education is Crucial to the Parish.” He convincingly made his point with statistics, quotations and personal experience. “Why does the Orthodox Church need continuing adult education ministries across our pan-Orthodox landscape?” he began.

Teaching Pictures for Great Lent and Pascha

As we approach Holy Week and Pascha, look into providing the beautiful Great Lent and Pascha Teaching Pics for the use of your teachers. Twenty seasonal cards are included in the resource package published by the Orthodox Christian Education Commission (OCEC). The 8.5 x 11 inch cards have a photograph on the front, and explanatory text on the back with ideas for lesson activities. Our Lenten and Paschal services are so beautiful and rich in symbolism but often the children cannot see what is occurring, and there is not a way to discuss the action of the priest. The cards allow them to take their time exploring, with your guidance, how the pivotal story of our faith has been passed down to us, not in word alone, but in true Eastern tradition, in symbolism and beauty. Let them be silent with the cards and then recall any memories of the services, and any feelings. It is critical to reflect regularly with the children on how the beauty of Orthodoxy serves as a path to God.

Great Lent and Pascha. "Great and Holy Friday—Vespers—Taking Down the Body of Christ"

 If you already have Teaching Pics in your supply closet, it is time to find them and distribute them to your staff. If you do not, they can be purchased from the OCEC, (800) 464-2744.

For a review of this resource, please visit www.antiochian.org/christianeducation/teachingpics.

The Meaning of Fasting in the Orthodox Church

by Fr. Milan Savich

Fasting is as old as the human race. Fasting was practiced by pagan religions, Judaism and Christianity, and it was generally considered an important element of religious life, although with different practices and understanding. In the ancient religions of the East fasting meant a complete abstention from food for a certain period of time — one day or more. The origin of fasting as a moral discipline, especially among the old pagan religions is very obscure, just as their understanding of God was inadequate and vague.

The monotheistic, God revealed religion of the "Chosen People" knew about fasting. From the Old Testament we learn that God instituted fasting in Paradise when He said: "But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Gen. 2:17) From this is clear that fasting existed before the "original sin" of Adam and Eve, and it was not ordered as a cure for their sin. The fasting in Paradise consisted of abstaining of certain food — namely of "the fruit of the tree." The tree of knowledge of good and evil was created by God as well as all other trees in Paradise and, as such, preceded the Satan and his sinful machinations. God's commandment to Adam and Even not to eat of the particular fruit was issued as a method of man's discipline of self-control and spiritual growth. This means that the first man in Paradise was not perfect, but was good and capable to improve and develop his spiritual and moral personality.

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