2004 Annual Report of the Coordinator of Christian Education

What follows are highlights of the activities of the Christian Education program in 2004.

Curriculum Revision Project: Although temporarily put on hold, by mid-year revision continued, producing a complete first draft of the Kindergarten text along with Jesus, the accompanying illustrated storybook. Format and supplement research with other denominational materials—including the use of CD resources—helped further shape a vision for Pre-K through Grade 8.

The curriculum committee approved a five-year plan to complete the new K-through-8 texts as well as related resources: a review catechism (Faith of the Armenian Church: A Handbook); bible verse memorization manual; high school mini course on Armenian Church history; Trivial Pursuit review game for the final exam; board books; and readers. A budget for the first two years was approved; a plan may be revised based on progress made in 2005.

Mardigan Institute 2004: Now in its 26th year, the Helen and Edward Mardigian Institute was held August 17-22, with 10 participants from 9 parishes (Bayside, Cheltenham, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Hollywood (FL), Washington, Watertown, White Plains), bringing the total number of program graduates to 354. This year’s theme, “Students and Stewardship: Doers of the Word,” featured core theme sessions as well as others on Scripture, liturgy, the church, art, drama, and hands-on teacher education (including a visit from the Pierpont Morgan library staff for a presentation on illuminating and binding Armenian manuscripts). The concluding retreat was inspirational. The Institute was coordinated by Elise Antreassian and Nancy Basmajian.

Print and Online Resources: Three bi-monthly issues of The Church Educator (formerly DRE Bulletin), a newsletter of lesson ideas and seasonal and Armenian Church resources, were sent out to teachers and clergy. As of the Sep./Oct. issue, the newsletter went online as The Armenian Church Educator, now a publication featuring resources from the entire Department of Youth and Education. Three issues were prepared and released in the calendar year. An evaluation of the new format will be conducted in the spring of 2005. Also: Monthly children’s activity bulletins, (Scripture-based puzzles and games for two age levels: 3-6 and 7-12) were regularly mailed to superintendents; a Back-to-School Pack for superintendents and clergy containing new products, forms, and education materials was assembled and mailed out in July; a new diploma and roll book were designed and issued.

Lent Resources: A set of “Lenten Family Bookmarks” was produced to help families read Scripture regularly and together during Lent. Six different full-color bookmarks featuring daily Scripture verses and discussion questions and designed with Armenian miniature motifs were distributed free of charge to Sunday School students and staff as this year’s Lenten family resource.

My Lenten Journal, a seven-week Great Lent mini-course designed to help high-schoolers focus on their personal relationship with God, was released.

New Teen Mini-courses: Four teen mini-courses (5 to 8 sessions) were released, bringing to 11 the number of choices teen-level Sunday School teachers have to supplement or replace units of the standard curriculum. These were: Having It All (Success), Called to Serve (Christian Outreach), All About Me (Identity), and What Do I Believe? (Doctrine).

Comprehensive Course on Scripture for Young Adults: The 16-session course (designed for teens and also suitable for adults) on the Bible, Breathed by God, was completed. In a “Dummies Guide” format of sidebars, vocabulary, and points of distinctly Armenian interest, the text is a long-awaited in-depth survey of Scripture from the viewpoint of the Armenian Church. The student text was published and ready to distribute in the fall. The teacher manual, to be printed in a more economical in-house process, was still in progress at the close of the year. A similar course on the liturgy is underway, scheduled for release in 2006.

Oriental Orthodox Education Commission: At the suggestion of the Primate and the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches, a meeting was organized at the Diocesan (Oct. 9) with the Sunday School coordinators of the four other Oriental Orthodox communities: Coptic, Ethiopian, Malankara, and Syrian. The group will develop educational materials and joint programs.

Parish Outreach: “Teaching for Success” Sunday School workshops offered techniques for all grade levels, such as paired conversations, asking productive questions, prayer starters, faith development theory and application, creative review as well as curriculum basics: at St. George, Hartford, CT (Apr. 3); St. Mark, Springfield, MA (Oct. 2); St. Gregory, White Plains, NY (Nov. 11).

ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian met with Sunday School superintendents and/or visited classrooms at: St. Peter, Watervliet, NY (Oct. 3); Holy Trinity, Cambridge, MA, (Oct. 10); St. John, Detroit, MI (Oct. 24).

Parish retreats/talks/leadership workshops occurred at St. James, Watertown, MA, “The Modern Woman: Shaping Up for Faith” (Jan. 17); Holy Trinity, Cheltenham, PA, “The Do’s and Don’ts of Discipleship” (Mar. 5); St. Leon, Fair Lawn, NJ, “Parish Life as a Calling” (Mar. 28); St. Leon, Fair Lawn, NJ, “Parish Council Leadership Seminar,” (Nov. 10); Holy Trinity, Cheltenham, PA, Retreat: “Christian Stewardship: A Way of Life,” (Nov. 20).

Three Significant Works-in-Progress: A memorial 2nd edition of Saints and Feasts (Patriarch Torkom Koushagian, translated by the late Fr. Haigazoun Melkonian) was completed and designed, thanks to generous support from the Men’s Society of St. John Church, Southfield, MI. It is scheduled for release in Spring 2005.

Teaching Faith/Modeling Christ: A Sunday School Teacher’s Primer, is a 16-page booklet—part of a planned orientation packet for new teachers--exploring the Sunday School classroom, curriculum, and basic principles of Christian education.

An introductory chapter, reflection questions, and scripture verses keyed to different topics, was added to the pocket prayer book for young adults, Here I Am, Lord. The book, underwritten to honor the late Rose Mekenian, is in the process of production for release in 2005.

Lenten Drive 2004 (Satisfying Stewardship Project): The 2004 drive benefited five FAR-sponsored soup kitchens in and around Yerevan, which fed more than 1,000 senior citizens, children, and homeless daily. The campaign accumulated $13,888.73 from 27 Sunday Schools.

Sending out Apostles (Graduates): 100 graduates from 14 schools received a Sunday School diploma and congratulatory letter from the Primate, the culmination of 13 years of attendance (Pre-K to Grade 11). Many of them continued in senior year service programs.

Scouting: Activity manuals for the “St. Gregory Award” for Cub/Webelos/Boy Scouts and Brownie/Junior Girl Scouts and the “Ararat Award” for Boy Scouts and Cadette/Senior Girl Scouts were sent out frequently upon request. Seven medals were awarded.

Comparative Statistics

Personnel: Elise Antreassian is coordinator of Christian Education in the Department of Youth and Education.