Our goal with all our groups is that we want to create familiarity with coming to Church and that leads to forming habits and habits breed commitment and this is the goal of all our programs is to make all of us committed Orthodox Christians and that commitment starts with Christ and His Church. Once we have become committed then all will fall into place, just as Christ reminds us when he says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness then all these things will be added unto you”.
HOPE
You can download and view the 2012 Hope Schedule here: HOPE Schedule 2012
The Hope group meets every Monday morning from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, with mothers and/or fathers and their young children. There is a twofold mission to our meetings. First and foremost we want to make the children familiar, comfortable and excited about coming to the Church. This playtime is very important to the children as they learn the very important lessons of interacting with the peers, sharing and meeting new people. Secondly, this is a great time for mothers/fathers with toddlers to get together for fellowship with other young parents who can share and offer support to one another if needed. During this time we spend generous amounts of playtime in the nursery and gym running around and having fun, plus we also tell stories in the Church. Please watch our monthly newsletter for days, times and special field trips. For more information contact Louis Pappas or the Church Office.
FAITH, LOVE AND JOY – “FAMILY NIGHTS”
You can download and view the 2011-12 Faith Love and Joy Schedule here: FLJ Schedule 2011-2012
All three of these groups meet on the first Tuesday night of each month during the school year from 6:15 pm until 8pm. The format is a “Family Night” where both parents and their children are encouraged to enjoy this youth program together as a family. The grades for each group are as follows:
FAITH – Kindergarten & 1st grade; LOVE – grades 2 & 3; JOY- grades 4 & 5
Parents and children may enjoy complimentary pizza & refreshments from 6:15 pm to 6:45 pm. Then each of the childrens’ age groups meets together for the rest of the evening rotating between three activities: gym, making a craft, and a discussion. While the kids are in their sessions, Fr. Angelo hosts a session specifically for parents addressing issues pertaining to the family.
The main goal of our youth group is to gather on a regular basis to develop and foster a sense of fellowship and security, with themselves and each other in their own peer group. While developing that fellowship we want to also develop the habit of coming to Church and realizing the need to grow in, and follow the teaching of our Lord and Savior. This is accomplished by splitting our time between having time to play and run around in the gym, using their skills to make a craft and then coming together to have a discussion. We then spent time discussing a topic that will help instill a sense of moral values and character in this critical time period of their lives as they start to develop into the human being they will become. The children are encouraged to challenge themselves to in our discussions to answer in a way that will help develop their growth and identity as Orthodox Christians. It is also our goal to set aside time to talk with the parents about their concerns and questions, along with sharing their joys, in raising children in today’s society. Please watch our monthly newsletters for information on meeting times and events. For more information please contact Louis Pappas or the church office.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Junior High School youth group is open to those that are in grades 6th through 8th and meet every Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm. The main goal of our youth group is to gather on a regular basis to develop and foster a sense of fellowship and security with themselves, and each other, in their own peer group. While developing that fellowship we want to also develop the habit of coming to church and realizing the need to grow in, and follow the teaching of our Lord and Savior. This is accomplished by splitting our time between playing in the gym and discussing topic’s that are important to them from the view of Christ and their life in the Orthodox Church. From time to time we would also schedule a service project to show that as Orthodox Christians we are also called to help one another and our neighbor, as Christ says, “Whatever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me”. Please watch our monthly newsletter for meeting times and special events. For more information please contact Christy Gouletas or the Church Office.
HIGH SCHOOL
High School youth group is open to those that are in grades 9th through 12th we meet every other Monday from 7pm to 9pm. The main goal of our youth group is to gather on a regular basis to develop and foster a sense of fellowship and security, with themselves and each other in their own peer group. While developing that fellowship we want to also develop the habit of coming to Church and realizing the need to grow in, and follow the teaching of our Lord and Savior. This is accomplished by splitting our time between congregating in our youth room, as the young people can relax, have a snack and spend time socializing with one another. We then spend the balance of our time discussing topic’s that are important to them, as they grow as teenagers, from the view of Christ and their life in the Orthodox Church. From time to time we would also schedule a service project to show that as Orthodox Christians we are also called to help one another and our neighbor, as Christ says, “Whatever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me”. Please watch our monthly newsletters for information on meeting times and events. For more information please contact Louis Pappas or the Church Office.
YOUNG ADULTS
The young adults meet every other Thursday for 7pm to 9pm. Our main goal is to come together as a group for fellowship with one another as Orthodox Christians. This is accomplished by coming together for social events and outings at various places. When we get together we also discuss topic from scripture or issues that are relevant and important to us as we try and grow as Orthodox Christians. Please watch our monthly newsletter for meeting times and special projects. For more information contact Louis Pappas or Christy Gouletas or the Church Office.