GOAA E-BulletinJune 13, 2008
Worldwide Faith News
wfn at igc.org
Fri Jun 13 23:03:14 CDT 2008
GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
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GOA E-BulletinJune 13, 2008
This is the weekly edition of the GOA E-Bulletin.
For more information just click on the links
below to go to the topics of interest to you.
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FEAST OF HOLY PENTECOST – JUNE 15: The Feast of
Holy Pentecost is celebrated each year on the
fiftieth day after the Great and Holy Feast of
Pascha (Easter) and ten days after the Feast of
the Ascension of Christ. The Feast is always
celebrated on a Sunday. The Feast commemorates
the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles
on the day of Pentecost, a feast of the Jewish
tradition. It also celebrates the establishment
of the Church through the preaching of the
Apostles and the baptism of the thousands who on
that day believed in the Gospel message of
salvation through Jesus Christ. The Feast is also
seen as the culmination of the revelation of the
Holy Trinity. For more information on this
feast, an explanation of the icon, to send an iconogram and more visit:
http://www.goarch.org/en/special/listen_learn_share/pentecost/learn/
********* 39th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress –
Juuly 13-17 - Washington, DC**********
GATHER MY PEOPLE TO MY HOME: This is the theme
for the 39th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress which
will be convened in Washington DC, July
13-17. To read the first two parts of a series
of reflections on the theme by Archbishop
Demetrios, visit the links below. More
information on the Congress and additional theme
reflections will be available in the coming weeks at www.clergylaity.org.
http://www.clergylaity.org/2008-theme_reflection.asp
http://www.clergylaity.org/2008-theme_reflection_part2.asp
OFFICIAL CONGRESS AGENDA ITEMS ONLINE: The
official agenda items for the 39th Biennial
Clergy-Laity Congress, including the Proposed
Amendments to the Regulations and the 2009-2010
Proposed Budget, are available online. Both can be downloaded as pdf files at
http://www.clergylaity.org
CLERGY-LAITY REGISTRATION ONLINE: The 39th
Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek
Orthodox Archdiocese and National Philoptochos
Convention will be held July 13-17 in Washington
DC. Registration materials are now available
online and registration will continue through
June. Register early and make your plans now by visiting
http://www.clergylaity.org/
NATIONAL YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE IN DC: Young
adults from the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan
area are working diligently to prepare for the
2008 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
National Young Adult Conference, July 10-13, 2008
in Washington DC. This year’s conference will
be held in conjunction with the 39th Biennial
Clergy-Laity Congress at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.
http://www.yal2008.org
********************************************************************************
OPPORTUNITIES ON 2008 OCMC MISSION TEAMS: Through
work, witness, and worship, Orthodox Mission
Teams become a visible expression of Christian
love, unity, and support. The remaining fifteen
2008 Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
Mission Teams will serve in ten countries around
the world. Several of these teams still need
volunteers, and you could be the missing team
member that Christ will send. Let your love for
the Gospel and for others speak and work--share in a journey of faith!
*Since 1994, the OCMC has sent Teams to Western
Tanzania to encourage the growth of Orthodoxy.
The Tanzania Construction Team will help build a
church in the newly elevated Metropolis of
Mwanza. The Team will also visit, witness to, and
encourage surrounding communities within the
Metropolis. Dates are July 3 – 25,, 2008.
*The India Teaching Team will offer catechism and
outreach in Kolkata. Orthodox clergy and
theologians are needed to preach, teach, baptize,
and assist in the evangelical efforts of the
Church in Kolkata. This small team will also
offer a retreat for the local clergy of the area.
This project will take place September 3-25, 2008.
*The Alaska Teaching Team to the Kenai Deanery
will encourage and offer a living witness to
different communities of the Kenai Peninsula,
including Cordova, Valdez and Tatitlek. The Team
will offer seminars, Vacation Bible Schools,
retreats, counseling, evangelism, adult
catechism, and bible studies in each of these
communities. The dates are October 14 – 29, 2008.
*The Kenya Youth Team will join the youth of the
Orthodox Church of Kenya to offer an annual youth
retreat, which will draw participants from the
Nyeri and Kasenge regions. Catechism and Orthodox
renewal will take place during this event, which
will reflect the transformation and joy that
knowing Christ has meant to the youth of that
region. The dates are December 28, 2008 – January 10, 2009.
*To participate on an OCMC Mission Team, you must
be at least 18 years old and be an active member
of the Church in good physical health. To apply,
send in a completed Mission Team Application with
reference form from an Orthodox Priest. OCMC is
looking for spiritually mature individuals with
good social skills who are motivated to learn and serve!
*If you would like to participate on one of these
Orthodox Mission Teams in 2008, please contact
the OCMC for additional information. Applications
are available online at
http://www.ocmc.org/teams.php . You can also
contact the OCMC by Toll-Free Phone: 1-877-GO-
FORTH (1-877-463-6784) or 1-904-829-5132, by
e-mail Teams at ocmc.org, or by mail: OCMC • P.O.
Box 44319 • St. Augustine, FL 32085-4319.
<ORTHODOX OBSERVER ONLINE: The latest issue of
the Orthodox Observer is now online. Read the
latest news from throughout the Archdiocese as
well as special interest articles, information on
resources and services and much more.
http://www.goarch.org/en/news/observer/
YOUNG ADULT SURVEY: In an effort to better
understand and address the needs of young adults,
the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
has developed the Young Adult Survey. By
listening to the voice of young adults living in
our society, the Department is looking to create
new, effective ministries for this
demographic. The Young Adult Survey is a short,
online analysis that will help assess various
aspects of young adult life. To take the survey
visit and for a chance to win an IPod Nano visit
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=VNxjzW_2fxtHXyvE0iF9U5Yw_3d_3d
NATIONAL ORTHODOX RADIO PROGRAM: This week's
episode of Come Receive the Light, THE NATIONAL
ORTHODOX RADIO PROGRAM, features an interview
with the author of "Surprised by Christ," a new
book that tells a powerful story of conversion
and spiritual renewal. Fr. James Bernstein, now
an Orthodox Christian priest, was raised in
Queens, New York by formerly Orthodox Jewish
parents whose faith had been undermined by the
Holocaust. As a young man, Fr. James went on a
quest for the God he instinctively felt was
there. He was ready to accept God in whatever
form He chose to reveal Himselfâ€â€and that
form tturned out to be Christ. In this week's
show, Fr. James talks about his journey and the
distinctives of Orthodox theology that make the
Orthodox Church the true home not only for
Christian Jews, but for all who seek to know God as fully as He may be known.
Other shows available at www.MyOCN.net include a
discussion on Trinitarian Theology with well
known theologian Fr. John Behr; an interview with
Fr. Chad Hatfield on Orthodoxy, Catholicism and
Anglicanism; a new episode of Turning to the
Fathers with Fr. John McGuckin on the spiritual
teachings of St. John of Damascus; and an
instructive interview with Fr. Demetrios Tonias
on the Jewish context of this Sunday's Feast of Holy Pentecost.
Visit www.MyOCN.net to listen.
VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL RESOURCES: Our new
Vacation Church School program is structured as a
five-session day camp for elementary school
students. A robust curriculum keeps children
moving and engaged with hymns and camp songs,
crafts, puppet theater, prayer services,
classroom activities, daily full-group
assemblies, spotlights on missions, and more. The
comprehensive materials also provide suggestions
for adapting VCS to a parish’s needs, such as
alternative schedules and age groupings. This
year’s VCS explores the four Great Feasts of
the Church dedicated to the Theotokos, focusing
on the theme of “Traveling on the Ark of
Salvation.†Preorder and start planning now;
kits will be shipped in late April.
For more information, call the Department of
Religious Education (617-850-1218) or visit
http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/religioused/resources/
ENCOUNTERING THE MYSTERY – NEW BOOK BY ECUMENICAL
PAATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW NOW AVAILABLE: Written
with personal warmth and great erudition,
ENCOUNTERING THE MYSTERY illuminates the rich
culture and soul of Orthodox Christianity.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I traces the
roots of Orthodox Christianity to its founding
2000 years ago, explores its spirituality and
doctrine, and explains its liturgy and art. More
especially, in a unique and unprecedented way, he
relates Orthodox Christianity to contemporary
issues, such as freedom and human rights, social
justice and globalization, as well as nationalism
and war. Order your copy from Orthodox Marketplace at
http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/product.php?productid=19168
ORTHODOX MARKETPLACE - www.orthodoxmarketplace.com
--------------------
The official online store of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
Looking for music, icons or cards for Pascha this
year? Take a look at our selection of traditional
cards and icons for Great Lent and Holy Pascha:
http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/home.php?cat=488
Has your child outgrown his or her children's
bible? Are you looking for a book that will bring
them more knowledge about the background of their
faith in an easy to read format? This Pascha,
consider giving them the Children's Bible Reader.
You can view a portion of the Bible Reader online
in English right now by visiting:
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/abs/nxtd/
You can purchase the Reader in either Greek or
English versions for $19.99 for a single, for
$159.99 for a case of 10. Use the button in the
demo, or visit the Orthodox Marketplace product page at:
http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/product.php?productid=18899
Have you seen the new Orthodox Study Bible?
Whether you have been waiting for this bible for
years or are new to the faith and are looking for
a bible with notes and commentary that will
educate you about the Orthodox faith, this volume
will not disappoint. Currently available in
hardcover for $49.95 or in bonded leather for
$79.95 - softcover edition available soon. Purchase it today at:
http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/product.php?productid=19169
This Pascha season we are expanding our catalog
offerings and working hard to offer the best
products for the season. To keep up to date on
new products and service enhancements, be sure to
sign up for our announcements email newsletter by
visiting our homepage, scrolling down to the
'Announcements' section on the left-hand side,
fill in your email address and click the subscribe button.
SUPPORT THE ARCHDIOCESE WHILE SEARCHING or
SHOPPING ON THE WEB: The Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese has partnered with GoodSearch.com, a
new search engine that donates half its revenue,
about a penny per search, to the charities its
users designate. You use it just as you would any
search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you
get great results. To use GoodSearch.com and
support the ministries of the Archdiocese, simply go to:
http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=833607
For online shopping visit
http://www.goodsearch.com/goodshop.aspx
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