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THE UNIFIED PARISH YOUTH PROGRAM

 Following up on my introductory remarks in last month’s bulletin, I offer you further information on our Unified Parish Youth Program.  The purpose of this Program—which is under the sole direction of the Parish Priest and his appointed representatives—is to give some order and direction as we seek to bring our young people into a better understanding of the Holy Orthodox Faith, and of being Orthodox Christians.  Thus, we seek to help assure their continued participation in the Church as they progress toward their adult years.  If there are any questions, opinions, and even reservations, please speak to me directly; I am solely responsible for its content.

                                                                                                                                                Father Demetrius

 

The components of this Program are the following:

 The Youth Council – Chairing this Council will be the Parish Priest, or his appointed representative.  Members will be the Directors of our various Youth Programs, as well as any other individuals who, at the discretion of the Parish Priest and/or the Directors, may be helpful in service the cause of our Youth, either on a permanent membership basis, or as temporary situations demand.

The Council’s purpose will be twofold: (1) to assure a unified philosophy for all our Youth Programs; and (2) to keep all members and organizations aware, as well as the Parish at large, of what each group is planning and doing.

 The Sunday School – Gregory Malick, Director

 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL SHALL STAND AS THE FOCUS OF OUR ENTIRE UNIFIED PARISH YOUTH PROGRAM.  ANY YOUNG PERSON WISHING TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY ASPECT OF THE PROGRAM MUST BE REGISTERED AT, AND ATTEND SUNDAY SCHOOL REGULARLY.

The schedule for a typical Sunday will be as follows:

8:30am Orthros

9:15am Students’ session with Father in the Church – Compulsory for Students and Staff!

9:25am Doxology

            All students 12 years of age and under will to class.

            Those 13 and older may (1) sing in the Choir, if so invited by the Choir Director; (2) serve in the Altar;

            (3) help in Sunday School, if so invited by the Director; or (4) attend the Liturgy from the pew.

9:30am Divine Liturgy

10:30am Students will return to church for Holy Communion.

11:15-noon Father will teach the high school class on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of the month; GOYA will

            meet on the 4th Sunday (see below).

            The younger students will have their dance rehearsal—or a JOY Meeting on the 4th Sunday of the

            Month (see below).

12noon The older Dance Group will have its rehearsal.

 

A typical Sundays will be the following:

The first Sunday School Sunday—in 2007: September 30—when a Special Service of the Blessing of the Waters for the New School Year will be offered;

The Sunday before Christmas—in 2007: December 23—when the School will present a Christmas Program to the Parish;

The first Sunday of Great Lent—in 2008: March 16—when the students will participate personally in the Procession of the Holy Icons; and,

The last Sunday School Sunday—in 2008: May 25—when Closing Ceremonies will be conducted.

 THERE WILL BE A CONCENTRATED EFFORT TO PROVIDE A PROPER EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL AGES, FROM NURSERY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.  SUNDAY SCHOOL IS NOT A BABY-SITTING SERVICE, NOT EVEN FOR THE YOUNGEST CHILDREN, BUT RATHER AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SPIRITUAL AND RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE AND GROWTH.

  

GOYA – Christina Dimitrion, Director

 GOYA—“Greek Orthodox Youth of America”—is an integral part of our Unified Parish Youth Program.  As such, prerequisite to participation in GOYA is registration and regular attendance at Sunday School—and is for those young people from 13 years old through high school.

 Business meetings will be held on the 4th Sunday of the month, immediately following the Divine Liturgy.  (For the other Sundays see under “Sunday School.”)  Additional meetings, get-togethers, and other activities may also be held at other times and locations, at the discretion of the Director and/or the Priest.

  

JOY – Peter Hwe, Director

 JOY—“Junior Orthodox Youth”—is an integral part of our Unified Parish Youth Program.  Thus, participation requires registration and regular attendance at Sunday School—and is for those 9 through 12 years of age.

 Activities will be held on the 4th Sunday of the month, immediately following the Divine Liturgy, or a other times and locations at the discretion of the Director and/or the Parish Priest.

 

 Altar Servers – Parish Priest, Director

 SERVING THE LORD IN THE ALTAR WITH THE PRIEST IS A HIGH PRIVILEGE RESERVED FOR THOSE YOUNG MEN WHO DESERVE SUCH CONSIDERATION.  Such service presupposes registration and regular attendance at Sunday School.

 The names of those Servers who are under 13 years of age will be entered into a Schedule of Service; when not scheduled to be in the Altar, they will attend Sunday School.

 Those Servers who are older than 12 may serve every Sunday, or their names may be added to the Schedule of Service referred to above; that choice must be made by 1 November.  If they do not choose to serve every Sunday, then they must choose another option, as noted above under “Sunday School.”

 The following are requirements for all Servers:

  1. The Sunday Liturgy begins at 9:30am.  Scheduled Servers must be at the 9:15am talk with Father—along with all other students and the staff—and then must immediately report to the Altar.
  2. Robes will be treated with respect.  After use, they must be hung properly; parents will be responsible for keeping them clean and presentable.
  3. Appropriate dress in the Altar demonstrates respect and is absolutely necessary.  A clean sport shirt with a collar, or shirt and tie, must be worn with long pants, not shorts.  Clean regular shoes must be worn, not sneakers, tennis shoes, nor any other inappropriate footwear.  (If these guidelines prove to be a hardship for any parents, they are invited to consult directly and personally with the Priest.)  In addition, all Servers must be clean and well-groomed, as befits service in the House of God.
  4. No unnecessary talking is permitted in the Altar.  Servers must concentrate on Father as he celebrates the Liturgy and other Services.
  5. Older Servers  may be appointed by the Priest as Chief Servers.  As older brothers, they will assist and advise their younger brothers; in turn, the younger will look to the older for help and assistance, and as good examples.

 

 The Folk Dance Program – Dianna Graves, Director

 The Folk Dance Program, as an integral part of our Unified Parish Youth Program, requires of all its members that they be registered and faithfully attend Sunday School.

 At this writing, there are two Dance Groups, an older and a younger.  The age parameters for each are set by the Director, after consultation with the Priest.   [This does not disallow the establishment of additional groups in the future, if the need arise.]

 The Younger Group will have rehearsals on Sunday, immediately following the Divine Liturgy, on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Sundays; during the 4th they will attend JOY, if they are of age.  The Older Group will conduct its rehearsals following the teenagers’ Sunday School class with the Priest, or after the GOYA meeting, depending on the Sunday of the month.

 Concerns of questionable behavior by dancers, or undue interference by parents and other adults, will be referred directly to the Priest for final resolution.  All other questions—e.g. choice of dances, costume, music, public performances, etc.—are decided by the Director after consultation with the Priest when advisable.