Issue No. 3-2011 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 457 Oak Street Brockton, MA 02301 (508) 559-0910 and (508) 559-0911 Reverend Presbyter Anthony Evangelatos Youth Ministry Team Bulletin 2011-2012
THIS BULLETIN HAS BEEN CREATED BY THE OF THE ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Our mission is to minister to youth advisors, young people and their families of our Parish, enabling them to fully experience the Orthodox Faith, and to live a vital Orthodox Christian life. This Church Team, which is comprised of Youth Group Leaders and led by Fr. Anthony, is continuing a concentrated focus on our youth. Our goal is to have our Church s entire youth group leaders meet regularly to share ideas, information, and concerns pertinent to the forward progress of these groups. We will assist parish programs in creating and sustaining all youth ministries. As the Youth Ministry Team of our Parish we will hold an open meeting once per month. In this bulletin you will see all of our efforts represented as we have all collaborated and planned this year s events. We are members under the guidance of the Archdiocese Youth Ministry Team that is comprised of each Metropolis Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries throughout our Archdiocese. This Team meets bi-annually to share ideas, discuss pertinent youth ministry information, and form committees to work on various projects. This Team assists in the vision planning and goal setting for the National Department. We will take this information and apply it to our ministry at the Annunciation. Our Goal is To make the youth active participants in their Orthodox faith! Email us @ AnnunciationYMT@yahoo.com Website: www.annunciationbrockton.org/youthministries Facebook : Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church-Brockton
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Brockton Sunday School Schedule 2011-2012 Month Day Sunday School September 11 First day of Sunday school 18 Classes 25 Classes October 2 Classes 9 Family Worship 16 Classes 23 Classes 30 Classes November 6 Classes / 13 Classes / Godparent Sunday 20 Classes 27 Family Worship December 4 Classes 11 Classes / Toys for Tots donations end 18 Christmas Pageant 25 Family Worship January 1 Family Worship 8 Classes 15 Classes 22 Classes 29 Classes February 5 Classes 12 Classes 19 Family Worship 26 Classes March * 4 Sunday of Orthodoxy / Classes start @ 10:15 11 Classes * 18 Sunday of the Holy Cross / Classes start @ 10:15 25 Classes April 1 Classes 8 Palm Sunday / Family Worship 15 Pascha / Family worship 22 Classes 29 Classes May 6 Classes 13 Classes 20 Sunday School Graduation / Classes start @ 10:15 Attendance awards: Perfect ~ no absences, Faithful ~ 1-3 absences, Honorable ~ 20 classes in attendance * See the Yearly Youth Ministry Bulletin for more information Dina (781) 871-5343, Rhoda (508) 587-4907, Tina (508) 588-8891 * Students will gather in the lounge after Holy Communion to prepare for the procession.
H.O.P.E. HELLENIC ORTHODOX PRIMARY EDUCATION The HOPE is the ministry to Kindergarten through 2nd grade children of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Since HOPE is a ministry, the orientation and implementation of the program should reflect the Orthodox Christian Faith, Tradition and Life. This will be done at a level that our little ones can relate to, using manipulatives, music, games and crafts. The mission and goal of the HOPE ministry is to lead our children in to experiencing the Holy Orthodox Faith. By developing a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and becoming active sacramental members of the living church, our children will be equipped with tools necessary to assist them in their journey toward salvation. By laying a foundation of faith at this age, the young people will have something that will guide and strengthen them through life. J.O.Y JUNIOR ORTHODOX YOUTH The Junior Orthodox Youth, or JOY, is the ministry to 3rd through 6th grade children of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The JOY ministry intends to continue to direct our young people by expanding their experiences of their Holy Orthodox Faith. By introducing them to concepts of service through projects like the Have-A-Heart Luncheon, children begin to develop an appreciation of their duty toward philanthropy. G.O.Y.A. GREEK ORTHODOX YOUTH OF AMERICA The Greek Orthodox Youth of America, or GOYA, is the ministry to teenagers of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Since GOYA is ministry, the orientation and implementation of the program reflects the Orthodox Christian Faith, Tradition and Life. Children should be in seventh through twelfth grades to participate. As a faith-based service organization, the Annunciation GOYA runs programs throughout the year with the theme of service to others, within the Annunciation community, in the Greater Brockton community, and beyond. Service projects have included food drives, toy drives to benefit needy children in the community, fundraising walks for cancer research, visits to Philoxenia House, St. Basil Academy, and the Hellenic Nursing Home, fundraising for scholarships for eligible students in the Annunciation community, and volunteer work in a local soup kitchen. In addition to providing an environment for great friendships and camaraderie, GOYA also provides unique opportunities to its members to obtain religious instruction in a way that is enjoyable and accessible - through Lenten retreats, campfires and discussions with Father Anthony.
Sunday September 11 th Friday September 16 th Friday September 23 th G.O.Y.A 2011-2012 Welcome Meeting - Discuss festival & Calendar Events GOYA Red Sox Game GOYA Fun Night Sunday October 9 th Friday October 28 th Harvest Fest (all ages welcome!) Monthly Meeting - Preparation for upcoming Harvest Fest Sunday November 6 th Monthly Business Meeting Friday November 18 th Monthly FUN Night Sunday November 20 th Youth Sunday / Bake Sale Sunday December 11 th Friday December 16 th Christmas Basket Items Due/Wrapping Gifts Christmas Retreat Sunday January 8 th Sunday January 15 th Monthly Meeting Friday January 20 th GOYA FUN Night Sunday January 22 nd GOYA will be Hosting Coffee Hour Vasilopita Hosted by the Ladies Philoptohos Sunday February 5 th Monthly Meeting Friday February 17 th Volleyball Night Friday February 20 th 24 th School Vacation Activity T.B.D. Monthly Business Meeting Friday March T.B.D. Ski Trip Sunday March 6 th Friday April 6 th Palm Making Meeting Saturday April 7 th Lenten Retreat (Philoxenia House) Sunday April 8 th Monthly Meeting Friday April 16 th 20 th School Vacation Activity T.B.D. Sunday April 29 th Scholarship Luncheon Sunday May 6 th Sunday May 20 th Friday May 25 th Project Bread Walk for Hunger Monthly Business Meeting Monthly FUN Meeting Sunday June 10 th Monthly Business Meeting Saturday June 30 th End of year Event GOYA welcomes all children in Grades 7-12. Meetings start at 6:30pm on Fridays and immediately following church on Sundays (unless otherwise noted). Brockton School cancellations apply or check the Church s answering machine. Jon Buterbaugh ~ email: jbuterbaughjr@gmail.com, Christos Kolentsas ~ email: ckolentsas@student.bridgew.edu Kristen Barrows (soon-to-be Kolentsas) ~ Kbarrows1106@post03.curry.edu
Acolytes/ALTAR BOYS Father Anthony ~ priest@annunciationbrockton.org It is said that the altar boys that serve in the altar are representatives of God s angels. All boys that are 9 nine years old or older are invited to become altar boys and to serve inside the Holy Altar, assisting the priest in the celebration of the Divine Services. Reminder: Altar boys should be in church by 9:45 am. BASKETBALL Steve Passias ~ passias@comcast.net An organized basketball team at the Annunciation not only brings our children together in play and athletic competition but contributes to an active lifestyle within the Church, and in the company of other Orthodox children. No prior experience or training is necessary, and all children boys and girls ages 10-18 are invited to attend and participate. The Team will represent our parish and compete with other teams in the Metropolis. Youth Basketball sign up's on Friday, October 21 st from 5:30-9pm, ages 10-18, and practices will be held each Friday thereafter, 6-8pm. Please Bring registration form (found at the end of this bulletin) with you to registration. If anyone is interested in being a volunteer coach please give me a call (508) 942-8483. GREEK DANCE GROUP Jon & Penny Buterbaugh ~ 508-230-3923 ~ pnasios@nasiosandgalloway.com Our ethnic dance ensemble is comprised of young parishioners ages 4-18. The dancers are divided by age into two groups our senior dancers are GOYA-age, 12-18, and our junior dancers are HOPE and JOY-ages, 4-11. In our third year the group has grown to more than 35 dancers!! In that time, through the hard work and determination of the dancers, as well as through the generosity of our parents and parishioners, we have been able to purchase beautiful costumes for all of the dancers. All children are encouraged to join us, with or without any previous dance experience. During the school year, we practice about 3 Sundays per month following the Divine Liturgy. Come join the fun and fellowship! GREEK SCHOOL ARGYRO PAPADOPOULOS ~ EVRIDIKI PAPAIOANNOU ~ TINA BOUTAS It is the intent of the Greek Education and culture program to provide the opportunity for the students to learn the language and culture of Greece and to inform students of Historical events and Religious practices of the Greek Orthodox culture and faith. Greek School will start on September 21 st. The Program dates will be the same as last year. Tuesday: Kindergarten ~ Wednesday: 2 nd grade ~ Thursday: 4 th grade. 1 st grade 5 th grade 6 th grade 2 nd grade
JUNIOR CHOIR c.mason14@yahoo.com ~ Corinne Mason and Heidi Mason ~ heidim50@aol.com Under the direction of the Choir Director, Junior Choir introduces the beautiful hymns of the church to all interested children of the parish AGES 6 12, who enjoy expressing their faith through music. The Junior Choir assists the Adult Choir in parts of the Divine Liturgy on Sundays through the year as well as various feast days, with the goal of readying the children for participation in the adult choir. Rehearsals Times: Every other Sunday from 10:30 11:15. (Sept. 25 th Dec 18, 2011) St. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL FESTIVAL Rhoda Economos ~ (508) 587-4907 The Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival provides Greek Orthodox teenagers the opportunity to write and talk about their faith. The Oratorical Festival has two divisions: junior (ages 11-14) and senior (ages 15-18). The top speakers at the parish festivals are eligible to participate in the Metropolis Festival. In turn, the top Metropolis speakers then participate at the Archdiocese level. Local competition will be on Sunday, March 11,2012. Our parish has had successful participants in the past and continues to urge families to encourage their children to participate in this wonderful experience. SUNDAY SCHOOL Tina Boutas ~ Dina Coon ~ Rhoda Economos Sunday School For many of us religious education is Sunday Church School it's more than that. It's when we attend the Divine Liturgy and pray together in Church it's more than that. It's when we help a child light a candle in Church it's more than that. It's when you pray before a meal it's more than that. It's when we read our Bible or attend Bible class it's more than that. It's when we teach Sunday Church School to help young people grow in their Faith it's more than that. It's when we participate in the Sacraments it's more than that. Religious Education is all of those things and more. It's really about getting to know the Person of Christ and following His commands. "It's when all of us come together as one, becoming and functioning as the Body of Christ." While primary religious instruction occurs in the home, it is the mission of the Annunciation Sunday School program to supplement that instruction in a way that is ageappropriate and accessible to our children. Through artwork, group discussion, reading and lecture, the Sunday School curriculum includes topics as basic as how to do your cross, what it means to fast and proper decorum and behavior in the Church. The children will learn the symbolism that is the Divine Liturgy, understand the sacraments, learn the essential prayers of our faith including the Nicene Creed and Lord s Prayer, and learn how to pray. Older children will engage in thoughtful discussion about what it means to live an Orthodox Christian life.
Thank you for supporting our Youth Programs Youth Ministry Team Bulletin 2011-2012 Notes: The Annunciation Youth Ministry Team has put this bulletin together as accurately as possible. If there are any items needing correction due to scheduling changes, conflicting events, or in error please let us know by either contacting one of the leaders listed, check the church s website or email us at www.annunciationbrockton.org AnnunciationYMT@yahoo.com Support our Youth By redeeming returnable bottles and cans! Bring your recyclable bottles to the Shoe City Redemption Center 1250 West Chestnut Street, Brockton (508) 583-3878 All that needs to be done is to deliver filled bags to the center and identify the returns to a supervisor by labeling the bags the Annunciation YMT. The center will send the church a check to help sponsor youth activities. Total Collected: $ 332.00
JOY & HOPE 2011 2012 October 7 Youth Night: Pumpkin Decorating November 10 Thanksgiving Family Feast 13 YMT Event Godparent Sunday December 4 Bake Sale 9 Christmas Gathering January 6 Pizza Party / Movie Night TBA Philoxenia House Gathering February 12 Have-A-Heart Luncheon 26 Bake-4-Lent March 7 YMT Event Pre-Sanctified Liturgy & Gathering April 6 Palm Making May 11 Fitness Night Year End Dance Paula Tsitsopoulos (508) 587-1997 ~ email: gtsitsop@comcast.net