Rules and Regulations

SPECIAL LESSONS Special lessons will be presented on a regular basis which will further enhance our students' education. All modalities (visual, audio, and tactile) will be used in order to make their experiences more interesting and meaningful. Emphasis this year will be on the Divine Liturgy.

HOLY COMMUNION

We are encouraging all of the Sunday School students to receive frequent Communion. Therefore, it will be necessary to prepare the children appropriately. Your children must abstain from eating or drinking before coming to church and absolutely NO GUM CHEWING. Also, encourage them to follow the rules of fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays, if they are to receive communion every Sunday. This is the ancient practice of the Orthodox faith.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Participation and instruction in the Divine Liturgy will continue to play an integral role in worship and instruction during the coming school year. Sunday School will begin promptly at 10:00 A.M. in the classrooms at which time attendance will be taken. Students will be attending Liturgy every Sunday. On most Sundays students will go into church at 10:15 A.M. However, on some Sundays students will first attend class and then go into church to participate only in the Holy Eucharist and in any special service of the day. If students are not present for the presentation of the lesson, they will be marked absent.

DISCIPLINE

The primary task of Religious Education is to teach interested students the Christian way of life and to effectuate spiritual growth in them. Appropriate student attitude and behavior is expected and will be enforced. Disruptive and disrespectful behavior was very rare last year. It is imperative that parents, students, and teachers work together to ensure a successful program.

DRESS CODE

Female students are encouraged to make appropriate choices regarding their dress when attending church. Tube tops, spaghetti straps, and mini-mini skirts are inappropriate and should be avoided. With the emphasis on these fashion trends today, parents need to educate their girls on the importance of proper church attire.

STEWARDSHIP

Students are encouraged to bring an offering, preferably one that comes from their allowance or earnings, each Sunday. Offering envelopes will be provided in order to help the youngsters recognize their roles as stewards of our Church.

MYRRH-BEARERS

Girls from the fifth and sixth grades who have the best attendance will earn the privilege of becoming Myrrh-bearers and stand guard at the Epitaphio on Great Friday evening.

ATTENDANCE

Regular Sunday School attendance is important because of the few opportunities our children have for catechetical instruction. Excessive absences and tardiness are not in the student's best interest. Parents, please cooperate so that our efforts will not be in vain.

FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship is an integral part of community life. The students will be given many opportunities via the vehicles of field trips and after-church activities to socialize and form bonds with their Greek Orthodox peers. Last year, a picnic was held at Boisserac Park, a field trip was taken to the Crystal Cathedral to see "The Glory of Christmas", the high school students sponsored a diaper drive for the orphans at the Greek Orthodox Orphanage in Guatemala, a Thanksgiving/Christmas food drive was held for the needy, the seventh graders sponsored a "Super Bowl Sunday" with the money collected going to a local center which feeds the homeless, and a joint Greek School/Sunday Schoole picnic was held on the last day of school. Special activities being planned for this year include: picnics, field trips to missions, and other Orthodox churches and service-oriented activities. Parent volunteers will be needed in this area of the Religious Education Program.

MOMS AND TOTS CLASS

This year infants and toddlers who are unable to stay in the nursery without a parent will meet in a partitioned area of the church hall. Parents will be in charge of the class and are encouraged to set up a schedule in order to accommodate those parents who want and are able to attend the Divine Liturgy. Approprate toys for this age group are needed to supplement those which the Religious Education Department will provide.

GODPARENT'S SUNDAY

On Sunday, NOVEMBER 4, the Sunday School will once again sponsor Godparent's Sunday. Last year, everyone was moved by the outpouring of spiritual love that manifested itself in the number of godparents and godchildren who participated in the Divine Liturgy and in the parting of Holy Communion. Please mark your calendars and ask godparents/godchildren to do the same. Invitations will be distributed early in the year.