Sunday School

The Archangel Michael Sunday School offers structured religious education classes to the youth of our community. Classes are offered from nursery through young adulthood. Every Sunday, children assemble in church at the beginning of Liturgy, and, following the reading of the Gospel and Father Dennis’ weekly interactive lesson with them, they all proceed to their classrooms. For more information please call the church office or contact: sundayschool@archangelmichaelchurch.org.

Staff

The Archangel Michael Sunday School Staff includes

- Director: Anna Vrettos
- Co-Director: Savasmia Savva
- Assistants: Alexandra Eglezos, Karen Zaffos, Cathy McDowell

The Sunday School provides children between the ages of 3 and 18 the opportunity to attend classes and learn about the Greek Orthodox Faith.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to follow in the words of St. John Chrysostom: "Let us raise our children in such a way that they can face any trouble, and not be surprised when difficulties come; let us bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord…When we teach our children to be good, to be gentle, to be forgiving, to be generous, to love their fellow men, to regard this present age as nothing, we instill virtue in their souls and reveal the image of God within them. This, then, is our first task to educate both ourselves and our children in godliness; otherwise what answer will we have before Christ’s judgment seat?"

Key Annual Events

- Christmas Pageant: Every year following the Christmas Eve Service, children from the Sunday school take part in a Christmas Pageant. - Moving Up Ceremony: At the end of every school year, there is a moving up ceremony that allows he students to show the congregation what they have learned throughout the year in Sunday School.

- St. John’s Oratorical Festival: This festival gives the older students an opportunity to research a topic and then write a speech that they present to a panel of judges. The winners continue on to compete at the National Archdiocesan Festival.

- Godparent Month: The month of February is designated for the students of Sunday School to invite their godparents to attend church with them

Other Key Events

-Offering Envelopes: Every week the students are encouraged to make an offering to the church. These offerings are to teach students the importance of giving.

- Candy Sale: Every year the Sunday School organizes a candy sale to raise money for new supplies for the School. This year funds were raised for a bulletin board to show the students work to other members of the church.

Get Involved!

Registration forms will be out shortly, along with the 2012-2013 calendar!

Curriculum

Book titles are printed in bold and represent books recommended by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Nursery

 I Go to Church—A young child’s experience at the Divine Liturgy

Pre-Kindergarten

 Reaching for Jesus—A pictorial introduction to Christ
Spero’s Orthodox Alphabet Book—Children learn the alphabet by coloring letters representative of religious symbols in the church.

Kindergarten

 Happy With God—God’s love is the source of joy for children. The book examines aspects of worship and stories from Scripture that highlight examples of joy in life centered on Christ.
What We See and Do in Church—Bible stories for coloring taken from the liturgical calendar.

First Grade

 Me and My World—The focus is on “Creation” as God’s gift. In discovering the world, the children begin to understand that family, friends, church and school all come from God.

Second Grade

 Loving God—Through the example of men and women in the Bible and our Saints, children begin to understand right, wrong and forgiveness in the light of God’s love.

Third Grade

 Sharing God’s World—Children learn about sharing through the examples of Jesus and are inspired to observe these examples in the Divine Liturgy, the sacraments, and other services of the church.

Fourth Grade

 Growing With God—Children learn how to use and appreciate the Bible. It introduces examples of living the sacramental life, fasting, praying, helping others and learning about Saints.

Fifth Grade

 God Calls Us—Lessons concentrate on stories of heroes whose faith has responded to God’s call. Through these examples children learn to respond to God in terms of personal faith and the basics of Christian morality.
Parables of Our Lord—Children learn about the Parables of Jesus that offer basic truths for application to daily living.

Sixth Grade

 Facing Up to Peer Pressure—Discussions center on the challenges and positive aspects faced by our youth and the effects of peer pressure.
Stewardship: Serving in God’s World—The lessons of stewardship are expanded from the environment, to our role of responsibility to others and its focus toward spiritual growth.
Knowing Christ—The teachings, miracles and parables of Christ are examined.
Honesty—Knowing the consequences of lying, cheating and distinguishing right from wrong are discussed through the Bible and the teachings of Christ.
The Christian Way of Life—Students learn about the pathways to “christian living” through scripture, tradition, doctrine, church history and liturgical life.

Seventh Grade

 Bible Atlas—As defined by geography, children learn biblical territories through map exploration.
Worship in the Orthodox Church—Students learn that worship goes beyond the Divine Liturgy and is important to a Christ-centered life.

Eighth Grade

 The Sacraments of the Orthodox Church—Students learn that sacraments are not simply ceremonies, but truly holy experiences which transform us and lead us to a fulfilling spiritual life.
Teenage Ten Commandments—This is an overview of the Ten Commandments and their relevance to young adults.

Young Adults

Bible Study and Discussion—Contemporary issues are discussed by examining the life of Christ as stated in the Bible.

The

Archangel Michael Church

Greek Orthodox Church
of Port Washington